NBA MVP 2012: Top Dark-Horse Candidates from Remaining Playoff Teams

We all know the NBA MVP will come down to Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James of the Miami Heat, but there are several dark-horse candidates on teams that are currently still alive in the playoffs.

It's certainly too late for these players in the race for MVP, but that doesn't change the fact that they deserve some recognition for the great contributions that they've made to their teams this year.

Tony Parker

With the San Antonio Spurs getting older and coming to the end of a generation, Parker has become the rock to build around in this transition.

The Spurs are becoming a younger team that offensively, has changed from a team that focused their offense around Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, to an offense with fast legs that can run the floor.

Parker averaged 18 points and nearly eight assists per game this season and while he didn't have a career-high scoring average, his assists were the highest they've ever been.

That type of contribution has single-handedly made the Spurs a better team and successfully changed them from an aging team to a younger, up-and-coming one.

Kobe Bryant

Bryant has been the only stable, consistent option for the Los Angeles Lakers this season and without him, they certainly wouldn't be a playoff team this year.

At 33, Bryant was feared to begin going on the downside of his career, yet he finished a fraction of a point behind Kevin Durant for most points per game in the NBA in 2012. I don't think there is much doubt Kobe's game is still at an elite level in this league.

So much turmoil would normally throw a team like the Lakers into obscurity and out of playoff contention, but the Lakers have Bryant to thank for after avoiding such a disappointing season.

Carmelo Anthony

If the MVP award came down to a single month, Anthony would have this thing on lock.

In April, Anthony averaged nearly 30 points per game along with seven rebounds and played some great defense in the process which is something new for the former Syracuse star.

More importantly, Anthony carried his team to the playoffs after both Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin went down to injury towards the end of the season.

You can question his lack of desire during the majority of the season, but you can't question how the Knicks would be nowhere without him.