2012 NBA MVP Favorites, Odds and Contenders – Midseason MVP Favorites to Win the 2012 NBA MVP Award: The 2011-12 NBA season has reached its midway point, and amid the activities of All-Star weekend in Orlando, there is no better time to take a look at this year’s frontrunners for the MVP Award. Granted, a lot can change with half a season remaining, but the top teams in both conferences have already established themselves, thinning the list of realistic MVP candidates. That being said, the award is still very much up for grabs, and any of the leading candidates could parlay a strong finish to the regular season into winning the highest individual honor the NBA has to offer.
2012 NBA MVP Midseason Favorites
1. LeBron James, Forward, Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is steamrolling its way through the regular season, and James is doing his best to erase the memories of his disappearing act in last year’s NBA Finals. He ranks third in the NBA in scoring (27.4) and is shooting a career-best 54.7 percent from the field. James is also averaging a career-high 8.1 rebounds per game to go along with 6.9 assists. He spent the offseason working on his post game, and the added dimension is paying dividends. James impacts the game in so many ways on both ends of the court, and there isn’t another player in the NBA with his all-around ability. He is the victim of his own success at time because people have come to expect the incredible numbers he produces each and every year. However, James is stuffing the stat sheet at such a high level in 2011-12, that even the most hardened voters have to be impressed.
2. Kevin Durant, Small Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
After winning back-to-back scoring titles, there were no questions about Durant’s offensive game. This season, he has become a more complete player and a leader for a Thunder team that is tied for the best record in the NBA. Durant is second in the league in scoring, averaging 27.9 points per game. He is also averaging career highs in rebounds (8.1), assists (3.4), steals (1.4), blocks (1.2) and field goal percentage (51.4). Durant is evolving and maturing as a player, and more importantly, his improvements have made Oklahoma City a legitimate championship threat. Team success is a must for any MVP candidate.
3. Tony Parker, Point Guard, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio was supposed to be too old to compete in the competitive Western Conference, but apparently Parker didn’t get the memo because the Spurs own the conference’s second-best record. He is averaging 19.4 points, which is good enough for 12th in the NBA, to go along with a career-high 8.1 assists. His numbers are even more valuable considering Manu Ginobili has been hurt most of the year and Tim Duncan has been playing limited minutes. Parker has already delivered some signature performances, including a 42-point effort in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and 30 points in a road win over the Los Angeles Clippers. San Antonio has won 12 of its last 13 games, including nine road wins. The lone loss during the stretch came when Parker sat out. He is carrying the surprising Spurs.
4. Kobe Bryant, Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
Despite leading the NBA in scoring this season with 28.4 points per game, Bryant has been knocked by critics for shooting too much. Granted, he is leading the NBA in shot attempts, but he doesn’t really have a choice. Pau Gasol’s fragile psyche has left Bryant and Andrew Bynum as the only consistent scoring options for the Lakers. Overall, Los Angeles’ roster is old and unathletic, with almost zero depth. Somehow, the Lakers are currently the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, and Bryant deserves the credit. He may shoot a lot, but he is also shooting the Lakers into the postseason.
5. Chris Paul, Point Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
He was expected to transform the culture of losing the Clippers have become known for, and he hasn’t disappointed. Paul has Los Angeles sitting atop the Pacific Division, and he is averaging a solid 19.2 points and 8.6 assists per game. As always, he has been a thief on defense, averaging 2.3 steals per game. Paul is shooting a career-best 44.1 percent from 3-point range, but more importantly, he creates easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. Paul appears to be the missing piece to the puzzle in Los Angeles, and his command of the offense has the Clippers thinking playoffs for the first time since 2006.
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