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Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates Heading Into March

Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates Heading Into March

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David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

With a large amount of NBA stars battling injuries this season, some new faces have been presented with a chance at the coveted NBA Most Valuable Player award. Is the reigning MVP Kevin Durant in the hunt? Where does LeBron James land on the list? Continue to find out.

5. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off an All-Star snub, Lillard has led his Portland Trail Blazers to the best record in the Northwest Division so far this season. Averaging over 21 points and six assists per game, the third-year guard has continued to shine since his strong rookie campaign. He is third in the NBA this season in WAR (wins above replacement), proving he deserves to be in this discussion.

4. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder NBA
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

4. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder NBA
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Reigning MVP Kevin Durant has missed a lot of time due to injury this season, but Russell Westbrook has done his best to step up for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook is averaging over 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds per game this season. He already won the MVP award in the All-Star Game following a 41-point performance, and if he can lead OKC into the Western Conference Playoffs, he has a chance at another MVP trophy this season.

3. James Harden

James Harden Houston Rockets NBA
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

3. James Harden

James Harden Houston Rockets NBA
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

When the Houston Rockets come up on a team's schedule, they truly have to "fear the beard." Dwight Howard has missed time due to injury, but Harden has kept Houston afloat and in second place in the Southwest Division. While he leads the NBA in points per game with more than 27, Harden leads the league in WAR, proving his true value.

2. LeBron James

LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers NBA
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

2. LeBron James

LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers NBA
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Here he comes again. LeBron James has the Cleveland Cavaliers firing on all cylinders so far in the second half of the NBA season. James has been the catalyst for the Cavs, who now look like the powerhouse that everyone expected this season. Third in the NBA in points per game and seventh in WAR, James is simply on another level when he's at his best. However, his uncharacteristically slow start puts him second in the MVP race.

1. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors NBA
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

1. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors NBA
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors have outgrown their "fun to watch" stigma. They need to be taken seriously, and that's in large part due to Stephen Curry. He is second in the NBA in WAR and is shooting 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Curry leads the league in RPM (real plus-minus) and has led the Warriors to the best record in the NBA so far.

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