NBA Predictions: 5 Dark-Horse Contenders for the 2011-12 NBA MVP Trophy

The 2011-12 NBA season is underway, and you know what that means: so is the MVP race. Every game, every missed shot, every win and loss matters when it comes down to who wins and who loses the MVP race.

There are players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose who will undoubtedly be in the MVP discussion, just like they are every year.  But there are also some players who will be dark-horse candidates for the MVP come the end of the NBA season.

These "dark-horse" candidates are players who are consistently good, but haven't taken their games to the next level.  That will change this year, with these players elevating their game and subsequently putting their names into the MVP discussion.

Here are five players you shouldn't sleep on when it comes to who will win the NBA MVP trophy at the end of the 2011-12 NBA season.   

Warriors PG/SG Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is coming into his third year in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors.  His current career averages are 18.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, and while that production isn't necessarily MVP-worthy, it proves that he has what it takes to be a legitimate elite talent in the NBA.

One of the main reasons why Curry has the potential to be a sleeper MVP candidate is because the Warriors need him to move into a leader role for the team to make it to the next level, and Curry will do just that.  

Much like he did at Davidson, Curry will put the team on his back, averaging around 27.5 points, 8.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game, earning the Warriors a much-needed playoff appearance.

With all that is going on with the Warriors' star point guard Monta Ellis and his sexual assault charges, Curry will become the main star player on the Warriors roster. That will result in more offensive touches for him, leading to a breakout year.  Keep your eyes on Curry down the stretch this NBA season.  

Timberwolves PF/C Kevin Love

Kevin Love had one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game.  He wasn't considered for the 2010-11 MVP trophy, however, because the Timberwolves were a miserable 17-65 overall.  

Kevin Love will have no issue repeating his production, but this year the Timberwolves will actually be a good team which will put him on the MVP radar.

With Darko Milicic finally producing, the Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio finally arriving in Minnesota and No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams coming off the bench, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the potential to make some waves in the Western Conference.  Kevin Love will benefit from the development of the players around him, because as they get better, defenses will not be able to key on Love as they have in the past.

Kevin Love will average 24.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game, leading the Timberwolves to a 34-32 overall record which will help the T'Wolves earn the eighth seed in the West.  All of that will result in Kevin Love earning the respect of the NBA and becoming a legitimate MVP candidate.    

Grizzlies C/PF Zach Randolph

Zach Randolph has had an up and down career, but he seems to finally have found the right fit with the Memphis Grizzlies. This past season with the Grizzlies, Randolph quietly accounted for 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, and that doesn't include his postseason production.

Randolph led the Grizzlies to an improbable semifinal playoff run by averaging 22.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. That kind of production, which Randolph will easily replicate, is definitely worthy of MVP consideration. 

Zach Randolph's production will only increase this year with the acquisition of rookie Josh Selby and the return of SF Rudy Gay, who missed the last 28 games of the past season with a shoulder injury.  With all of their returning starters from last year intact, the Grizzlies are going to be a team to keep an eye on, which will be due in large part to the leadership of Zach Randolph.

Zach Randolph will have no problem averaging 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, leading the Grizzlies to a sixth or seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs and earning him legitimate consideration for the 2011-12 NBA MVP trophy.  

Knicks SF Carmelo Anthony

This pick isn't being made in response to Carmelo's season opener against the Celtics, where he scored 37 points on 58.8 percent shooting, but that performance sure does help my argument.  

Throughout Carmelo Anthony's career he has always been a borderline MVP candidate, he's just never been on a good enough team to help support his campaign.  This is the year that changes.  

The Knicks have enough talent around Anthony to help him become a legitimate MVP candidate.  Anthony has consistently averaged around 24.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists throughout his career, and 2011-12 will be the year he finally surpasses that production.

As Anthony proved on Christmas Day against the Celtics, he will have no problem averaging 29.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, which will help the Knicks finally make a run deep into the playoffs. It will also help Anthony remain in the MVP discussion as the NBA season draws to a close.  

2011-12 could finally be Carmelo Anthony's true breakout year. 

Suns PG Steve Nash

I hate to say it, but the Suns point guard Steve Nash is past his prime.  Since his MVP years in 2005 and 2006, Nash's production at the point has been steadily decreasing.  In his MVP seasons, Nash averaged 18.7 points, 11.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.  Nash will return to MVP form this year with the Suns, averaging around the same if not slightly more in each relative statistical category.  

I know it's hard to believe with Nash turning 38 this upcoming February, but expect him to have the best statistical year of his career because of the youth that is on the Suns roster. Aside from fellow veteran Grant Hill, the Suns' next oldest player is Hakim Warrick (29).  The youth of the Suns will result in their increased ability to run the floor, which benefits the play of Steve Nash.

With Josh Childress, Robin Lopez, Channing Frye and Jared Dudley on the court with Nash, the Suns will be able to control the pace of the game, helping Nash earn averages of 20.2 points, 10.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.

That kind of production from Nash will keep him in the MVP race late into the season.