Power Ranking Top 10 NBA MVP Candidates Through Week 18 Of 2015-16 Season

10. Damian Lillard - PG - Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season after losing four starters (Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez) over the offseason. Instead of floundering in obscurity, Damian Lillard has led Portland to a 33-29 record, good for the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference currently. Lillard deserves endless praise for a remarkable campaign.

9. James Harden - SG - Houston Rockets

James Harden's done anything and everything he can to keep the Rockets in playoff contention this season despite not getting much help from most his teammates. Harden's averaging 28.7 points, 7.0 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game, which is the main reason why Houston is 30-31 and is still clinging onto the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Like it or not, Harden belongs in the MVP conversation.

8. Kyle Lowry - PG - Toronto Raptors

While everyone is caught up with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, Toronto continues to fly under the radar. Don't look now, but the Raptors have moved within two games of Cleveland at 40-19 thanks to an otherworldly campaign from Kyle Lowry. On Wednesday night, Lowry dropped 32 points all over the Utah Jazz, who are one of the NBA's premier defensive teams. Put simply, Lowry has dazzled all season and deserves MVP consideration.

7. Draymond Green - PF - Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green will never receive proper respect playing in Stephen Curry's shadow, but there's no denying his importance to Golden State. Green's averaging 13.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, and he continues to play lockdown defense against the league's premier big-men. Leading the NBA with a remarkable 11 triple-doubles, Green's earned MVP consideration.

6. Chris Paul - PG - Los Angeles Clippers

Most teams would have collapsed after losing a player like Blake Griffin, but the Los Angeles Clippers somehow managed to play better thanks to an absolutely outstanding showing from Chris Paul. The veteran point guard is averaging 19.9 points, 9.6 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, and he deserves some serious praise for leading the Clippers to a 40-20 record.

5. Kawhi Leonard - SF - San Antonio Spurs

NBA aficionados and media alike are so caught up with what the Golden State Warriors are doing this season that they forget San Antonio is just 3.5 games behind the Dubs at 51-9. Kawhi Leonard has been fantastic this season, averaging 20.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, all while playing world-class defense against the NBA's elite wings. Make no mistake: Leonard is a superstar.

4. LeBron James - SF - Cleveland Cavaliers

Say what you will about LeBron James getting coaches fired, but there's no denying what he does on the hardwood. James is averaging 24.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, and he remains one of the greatest defenders in the world despite whispers to the contrary from his naysayers. The Cavaliers might be riddled with drama, but they still have the No. 1 seed at 42-17 as we speak, and James deserves plenty of credit.

3. Kevin Durant - SF - Oklahoma City Thunder

After a devastating injury cut last season short for Kevin Durant, he's responded in a major way this campaign. Durant's averaging 27.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and he hasn't let the noise surrounding his impending free agency affect the present whatsoever. Durant is clearly the best offensive wing in the world and should be lauded for a remarkable showing throughout the season.

2. Russell Westbrook - PG - Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook is undoubtedly having an MVP season. Westbrook is averaging 24.3 points, 10.3 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game, but is oftentimes an afterthought in the MVP race due to the favorite's historic campaign. Any other season, Westbrook would be taking home the league's coveted award.

1. Stephen Curry - PG - Golden State Warriors

At this point of the season, I've run out of adjectives to describe what Stephen Curry has done over the past five months. Curry's averaging 30.7 points, 6.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game, and he has obliterated the record for most three-pointers made in a season. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Curry isn't the regular season and NBA Finals MVP in 2016.