NBA: MVP Ladder Pt. 1

The NBA MVP is one of the most sought after awards in all of sports, and it's certainly the most well recognized trophy in The Association. There are always a lot of players vying for the title of Most Valuable Player, and that's the case for the 2017-18 season as well. I will break down the top five players in the league right now, including analysis, statistics, and more. After that, I'll give a handful of honorable mentions that are next up, if any of the guys ahead start to slip in the near future.

1. James Harden (Houston Rockets): The Beard has his eye on the NBA MVP, after finishing in the top 10 of the final vote each of the last three seasons, including a runner-up to Stephen Curry in 2014-15. It doesn't look like Harden is messing around at all, he looks determined to be the best player in the league and lead his team to a Western Conference Finals berth, and possibly further. He is averaging an astounding 31.1 points per game, to go along with an efficient 9.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds. It's Harden's award to lose right now.

2. Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers): King James was ejected for the first time in his career last night, but it didn't hurt, as his team was already up 20+ points on the Miami Heat, and the Cavaliers were able to keep their winning streak alive. When you look at James' statistics, it's nothing new. It's pretty much what he has been doing his entire career, which is remarkable given that he is in the midst of his 15th campaign. James is putting up 28.6 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game, which is good for second place.

3. Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics): Kyrie ditched Lebron and the Cavs over the summer, requesting a trade after three consecutive NBA Finals appearances. A lot of people questioned this decision, stating that he wouldn't be able to be the main guy on a team, and that he needed someone like James to help carry him along. Those people were dead wrong. Although Kyrie's statistics aren't overly impressive, he has been the best player on the best team in the league, averaging 22.5 points and 5.2 assists to the tune of an 18-4 record.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): The Greek Freak's play has quieted down a bit after such a hot start, but that doesn't mean he isn't putting up incredible numbers. Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.7 points per game, which is 14.0 points more than his career average, and he is grabbing 10.2 rebounds per night, all while blocking 1.7 shots, also an increase from last season. If only the Bucks were a little better and they would be talked about more. Milwaukee is 10-9 right now, battling for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

5. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): Curry, who is a two-time NBA MVP winner, is in the conversation once again, and his numbers have gotten better compared to last season. It seemed like with Kevin Durant coming over from the Oklahoma City Thunder, it made Curry a little less aggressive last year, but Chef Curry seems to be getting back to what he does best. Score the ball. He is putting up 25.5 points per game and is playing well off of the ball, grabbing 5.2 rebounds while dishing out 6.5 assists per game.

Honorable Mentions:

6. Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks)

7. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

8. Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)

9. Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)

10. DeMar Derozan (Toronto Raptors)

Photo Credit: Clutch Points.