NBA Playoffs 2012: Top 5 Players Who Can Win NBA Finals MVP

After the Oklahoma City Thunder finished off the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, only three teams remain in the NBA playoffs.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column on the eight players who had the best chance of taking home the NBA Finals MVP in June. Here are my updated rankings.

I bet you can guess who's No. 1 on this list. 

5. Russell Westbrook

While some might know Russell Westbrook more for his outfits this postseason, his play deserves recognition as well.

Westbrook has long been criticized for being a good player but not a good point guard.

However, he proved his haters wrong last series, when he averaged 7.3 assists per game and allowed Kevin Durant to be the main scorer on the team. 

4. Kevin Garnett

After dropping seven 20-and-10 games in the regular season, Kevin Garnett already has nine 20-and-10 games this postseason.

He has elevated his game when it counts, something great players do.

Garnett has been dependable down low for the Celtics, and the Heat are having a hard time stopping him. If they fail to contain him in Game 6, this series is over. 

3. LeBron James

LeBron James has been taking a lot of heat lately (no pun intended), but it’s really not his fault Miami is falling apart.

This year’s regular season MVP is averaging 31.8 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and is shooting 50 percent from the field this series.

While other Heat players must step it up if they plan on getting past Boston, LeBron is playing at an elite level right now. 

2. Rajon Rondo

Despite shooting just 3-of-15 in Boston's last game against the Heat, Rajon Rondo was still one of the best players on the floor.

He had six rebounds, four steals and, most importantly, 13 assists.

Rondo is one of the most unpredictable players in the league, which is why he is so fun to watch. If Rondo carries the Celtics to another championship, he deserves to win the NBA Finals MVP.

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has grown in front of our eyes this postseason.

He is not just a talented scorer, but an all-around player and a winner. Durant completely took over Game 4 in the Western Conference finals, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter.

On Wednesday night, he put away the Spurs with 34 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.