THE CASE FOR: Davis was already the best big man in the game, but he's still improving. He's going to average 28 ppg for a third consecutive year, while boosting his rebounding total and doubling his assists per game (2.3 to 4.7). - NS THE CASE AGAINST: If The Brow is so valuable, then why aren't the 15-16 Pelicans better? - CC

THE CASE FOR: The Thunder are only 1.5 games out of the top spot in the West, and George has had a monstrous month of December. This is a team that finished 17 games behind GSW last season! If OKC stuns the NBA and wins the West, give this man a trophy. - NS THE CASE AGAINST: He might be the most valuable defensive player (2.2 spg), but other players on this list have much better numbers. - CC

THE CASE FOR: The MVP is a narrative award as much as anything else. Harden's stats have been otherworldly of late, and if the Rockets can go on a massive win streak and pull themselves up in the standings, Harden would get credit for saving the season. - NS THE CASE AGAINST: No way an MVP should go to a team that's currently outside of the Western Conference playoff race. - CC

THE CASE FOR: Embiid's a longshot, but if the Sixers can put together a dominant second half and run away with the top seed while Embiid averages 30-13.... he'd have a chance. - NS THE CASE AGAINST: Too many cooks spoil Embiid's case: Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler are arguably just as valuable - CC

THE CASE FOR: If Durant can boost his current scoring average and secure the top seed, which is possible in a what looks to potentially be a statement final year in Golden State, he'd have as solid a case as any candidate. - NS THE CASE AGAINST: Steph Curry is still his teammate and things didn't go so well while the guard was out. - CC

THE CASE FOR: The Nuggets are a shocking No. 1 seed in the West thanks to Jokic and his unique skillset that includes 7.5 assists per contest for a 7-footer. - CC THE CASE AGAINST: Jokic is incredibly verasatile, but he's also a very inconsistent scorer who could probably average 10 ppg higher than he currently is. - NS

THE CASE FOR: The Bucks won 44 games last season, but are on pace to win around 56 this year. If they take the top seed in the East, it's hard to look past a guy averaging 26.8 ppg and 13.1 rpg. - NS THE CASE AGAINST: The Bucks are a well-balanced team behind the Greek Freak. Even with Antetokounmpo's gaudy numbers, Milwaukee has three other players averaging 15 ppg or more. - CC

THE CASE FOR: Did you notice all the turmoil that happened while he was nursing an injury? That's one argument. The other is another crazy Curry (but normal for him) statline. - CC THE CASE AGAINST: Curry's missed 11 games this season already, and 42 games over the last two seasons. If he misses any more time and the Warriors don't run away with the West, he won't win the MVP. - NS

THE CASE FOR: The Raps are the top team in the East and Kawhi has career-highs in points (26.3) and rebounds (8.4) to complete a well-rounded statline. - CC THE CASE AGAINST: The Raptors were already a great team before Kawhi arrived, and he's statistically outmatched by his competitors. If Toronto doesn't win the East, he has no shot. - NS

THE CASE FOR: The Lakers are 18-12 with a young, still-developing roster, and James is averaging the most points per game since '09-'10. - CC THE CASE AGAINST: Russell Westbrook won an MVP award on a 47-win team, but he averaged a triple-double to do it. Barring an Anthony Davis trade, LeBron is going to have a tough time winning on a fourth or fifth-place team - even if he's still the best player on the planet. - NS