As the first quarter of the NBA season speeds by, last year’s top three players in MVP voting — LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant — all could make a case for the award again. Here are five others that have entered the MVP race: 5. Rajon Rondo, Celtics » If Steve Nash can win two MVPs averaging less than 20 points a game, why not Rondo? Boston’s point guard is averaging 13.7 assists a game and has a chance to break John Stockton‘s single-season record.
4. Manu Ginobili, Spurs » At 20-3, San Antonio has the best record in the NBA behind Ginobili’s return to the starting lineup. The 33-year-old former sixth man of the year is averaging career highs in minutes (32.0) and points (20.0).
3. Dwight Howard, Magic » The defending two-time defensive player of the year has always been among the league leaders in rebounds and blocks, but Howard is averaging a career-high 21.5 points a game this season as the center has become more involved in the offense.
2. Amar’e Stoudemire, Knicks » The power forward set a franchise record with his eighth straight 30-point game on Sunday and New York has won 13 of its last 14 games. But Stoudemire has the second-most turnovers in the league, including 11 against the Wizards on Friday night.
1. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks » During Nowitzki’s 2006-07 MVP season, he averaged 24.5 points a game while shooting 50.2 percent from the floor. This year he’s averaging 24.8 points and shooting a staggering 56.8 percent for the Mavericks, who had won 12 straight entering Monday night’s game against the Bucks.
