NBA MVP Race: Power Ranking Candidates for Prestigious Award

With the 2012-13 NBA regular season coming to a close, the playoffs are beginning to take shape and the postseason awards are becoming the topic of conversation. Perhaps no award commands as much attention as the vaunted Most Valuable Player award.

The question is, who are the candidates and how is the race for MVP shaping up?

From past winners to surging superstars, we've seen it all in 2012-13. As the dust settles and the stars take center stage, however, we're all prepared to see this year's best player take home the gold.

So who will that be?

6. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Position: Center

Age: 36

Experience: 16th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

24.60 PER, 17.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.7 BPG

In 2011-12, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker was my choice for NBA regular season MVP. In 2012-13, another Spur has risen up the ranks and proven to be just as elite today as he was 10 years ago.

Future Hall of Fame big man Tim Duncan.

Duncan has been outstanding, averaging 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Duncan is the only player in the NBA to average at least 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks simultaneously.

MVP caliber numbers.

Unfortunately, Duncan is playing for the second-seeded team in the Western Conference. With Kevin Durant pushing the Oklahoma City Thunder into first, Duncan finds his name slightly lower than his numbers would suggest.

Timeless Timmy is at it again, though, and that's something worth marveling at.

5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 34

Experience: 17th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

23.09 PER, 27.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG

Kobe Bryant is in his 17th season in the NBA. Even still, he's proven to be one of the best individual players in the NBA on a nightly basis.

If not for the injuries and lack of team chemistry that have hindered the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant might be the player who could take down LeBron James in the chase for MVP.

For the season, Bryant has transformed his game and become one of the league's best facilitators. For the season, he's averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game on 46.3 percent shooting from the floor.

Since the All-Star Break, those numbers are up to 28.5 points, 7.0 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Unfortunately, Bryant's legendary 17th season was cut short by a devastating torn Achilles tendon (via Lakers PR). It's only fitting that Bryant went out by scoring eight consecutive points, including two free throws that tied the game at 109-109 with 3:08 remaining.

Bryant would convert both free throws on what turned out to be a torn Achilles—warrior.

4. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Experience: 8th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

26.31 PER, 17.0 PPG, 9.6 APG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 SPG

The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2012-13 NBA regular season. They've won 50 games for the first time in franchise history, have won the organization's first Pacific Division title and boast one of the best benches in the league.

At the heart of their success has been All-NBA point guard Chris Paul.

Paul is up to his usual tactics, leading the league in steals and topping all active players in assists per game. Paul is also averaging 17.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest, thus rounding out what has been nothing short of a mesmerizing display of ability.

As for his value, the Clippers are 6-6 without Paul and 48-20 with him—need we say more?

If we do, CP3 was the 2013 NBA All-Star Game MVP and led the Clippers on a franchise-best winning streak of 17 consecutive games. In other words, Paul has the perfect blend of individual accolades and team success.

This just happens to be the year in which elite point guard play has been overshadowed by other players' brilliance.

3. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Position: Small Forward

Age: 28

Experience: 10th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

24.83 PER, 28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 37.9% 3PT

Barring unforeseen circumstances, New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony will be the 2013 NBA scoring champion. At 28.7 points per game, 'Melo is a full 0.6 points ahead of Kevin Durant for first in the league.

Durant would need a 73-point performance in his season finale to match Anthony's average.

With that being said, Anthony has not found his way on to this list by way of his scoring alone. Instead, 'Melo has made this list by way of his uncanny ability to step up and lead the Knicks to their best season since 1997.

At 53-28, the Knicks have made the jump from a winning percentage of .545 in 2011-12 to .654 in 2012-13.

This improvement can be accredited to numerous areas, including the Knicks' improvement in depth and veteran presence. Without Anthony's scoring, however, the Knicks would not be in their current position.

For evidence, note his 36.9 points per game during the month of April and the Knicks' 13-game winning streak.

2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Small Forward

Age: 24

Experience: 6th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

28.30 PER, 28.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Kevin Durant may not be winning his fourth consecutive scoring title, but he's confirmed his status as one of the NBA's elite. Not only does he continue to score at an obscenely efficient rate, but he's putting on the best all-around season of his career.

Durant is currently averaging career-best marks in assists, blocks, steals, field goal percentage and free throw percentage.

For the season, Durant's numbers rest at 28.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. This displays KD's development not only as a facilitator but as a defender as well.

Perhaps most impressive of all, Durant is set to become the latest member of the rare 180 club with a slash line of .510/.416/.905.

Furthermore, Durant has led the Oklahoma City Thunder to 60 wins and their first regular-season Western Conference title. With the second-best record in the NBA comes the warranted praise for his outstanding season.

Unfortunately, he's in the running against a rival that has been out-of-this-world phenomenal.

1. LeBron James, Miami Heat

Position: Small Forward

Age: 28

Experience: 10th Season

2012-13 Season Averages

31.68 PER, 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 40.6% 3PT

When you're running away with the MVP award during a season in which the players previously listed were at the top of their game, there's only one conclusion to be made—you're the best in the world.

That's the case for LeBron James, who took everything the other candidates did and brought it to another level. Whether he was racking up triple-doubles or leading a 27-game winning streak, LeBron managed to do it all.

He even set career-best marks in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and rebounds per game.

For the season, LeBron's numbers have been able to speak for themselves. With averages of 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks, James continues to eliminate his flaws.

A slash line of .565/.406/.753 continues this video game season.

If that's not enough for you, note that King James is the leader of the team with the best record in the NBA. In other words, LeBron owns the rights to virtually every MVP argument you could come up with.

What more is there to say?