WHO ARE the TOP NBA MVP CANDIDATES for the 2009/10 SEASON and WHY

When you win an MVP aged 22 as part of (don't hate me) one of the lesser rosters in the NBA and your team nearly makes it to the championship playoffs, you'd be pissed if you didn't make it onto this list. In 08/09 King James averaged 28 points collected 7 assists and 7 rebounds a game, whilst when compared with the stats of the other Cavaliers, he was running a dictatorship. The only player of note on a bad team who has had a profound impact on the Cleveland franchise, it's scary to think he probably hasn't even hit his prime yet.

2. Kobe Bryant: LA Lakers

Michael Jordan is the best player of all time because despite his sublime skills, his leadership, and his ridiculous hops, if a game was on the line and Jordan had the ball, Chicago would win, it's a very simple equation, and formed the foundation of the greatest NBA dynasty of all time. Kobe alone - James hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself yet - is the only current player that is possibly comparable. He has four rings now, his career stats are beyond reproach, and the Lakers look likely to feature heavily in the playoffs again. However, Kobe plays with Allstars: Gasol, Odum, Artest, and the fast improving Andrew Bynam, whilst James plays with middlemen and the only shadow of his former self Shaq, enough said.

3. Dwayne Wade: Miami Heat

Dwayne Wade averaged more points, steals, blocks and assists than either Kobe or Lebron, and he shot more accurately, so why does he only come in at number 3? Last season the Heat only won 43 games despite having the most offensively damaging player in the league. Lebron isn't a point-guard but he has the Jason Kidd quality of making those around play infinitely better than they should, whilst Kobe won a championship by surrounding himself with really good players in their own right who were able to feed of his tenacity. Wade is yet to dominate his franchise with pure leadership and a tenacious will to win, but like James, he is still young and any suggestion that he might still be getting better is almost too scary to think about.

4. Dwight Howard: Orlando Magic

Jordan's Bulls are the only dynasty not to feature a dominating big man, centres matter. Howard is by far the best centre in the league, and he still can't play the post properly, shoot three-throws, or shoot anywhere outside of the key accurately. This doesn't matter when the entire magic roster is comprised of deadly snipers more than willing to put 2/3rds of the team's points on the board from beyond the arc, however, it's frightening to think just how good Howard could get. He already has one defensive player of the year award, and looks to dominate that category for the larger part of his career. If he can develop his offensive game to the point of being an unstoppable low post threat, the Magic guards are going to start having enough time to tie their shoelaces before releasing their devastating three balls. Dwight has the potential to own the game at both ends of the floor, if he ever manages this, he will be a serious MVP threat.

5. Chris Paul: New Orleans Hornets

For the last three seasons Chris Paul has had statistically better seasons than Steve Nash did when he won back to back MVP's. By far the best point guard in the league he is likely to become an all-time great of the position. Iverson could always score but he was selfish, Steve Nash is arguably the best offensive facilitator of all time but he can't play defence. Jason Kidd can score, play defence, and pass, that's why he has been a career all-star, Chris Paul just happens to be a faster, stronger, and better version of Kidd. However, like the Heat, the Hornets don't win enough games, James plays on an average team, yet the Cavs still decimate their opponents. This is the precedent to which Paul must aspire to if he - or anyone else for that matter - is to surpass King James in the race for the MVP.

Stats- ESPN.com