James Harden, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook.  As the NBA season comes to a conclusion, these three men have separated themselves from the other superstars in the league as frontrunners for the MVP award.  Now, many would probably hastily throw Lebron James into the fray as well.  
King James has certainly had a superb season just as he does every year and still reigns as the best player not only in the NBA, but on God’s green earth.  However, keep in mind the Maurice Podoloff Trophy is not awarded annually to the best player in the world but the player who the voters feel is the most valuable asset to their team.  
Even with that description it becomes difficult not to include the King, that is until reviewing the seasons that the three aforementioned contenders have put together.  Each has shone brightly in his own way. Each has put up astronomical numbers this year, and this trio has made this particular MVP one of the most polarizing in recent memory. Cases can be made in defense and opposition for every one of them, as they have varying styles of play.
First, there’s the always exciting, lethally efficient Stephen Curry.  In his five years in the league, he has blossomed into maybe the best point guard in the league, while bringing with him a flair unseen since the days of Magic Johnson and the “Showtime” Lakers.  He’s shooting an absurd .479 and averaging 23 points per game.  Curry has also maintained his stature as a premier passer in the league with 7.9 per contest, good for sixth best in the league. 
It’s hard to make a case against one of the most efficient and likable guys in the league, but critics often reference the fact that he is surrounded by the best talent night in and night out of all the candidates besides Lebron James.  But if you were to take Stephen Curry off that team would it be nearly as successful?  That, NBA fans, is what the true definition of the MVP is in my book.
Next comes the Beard.  The ever-dependable, sharp-shooting, high-flying James Harden.  His most recent standout performance was a career-high-50 point outburst in a victorious effort over the Nuggets. Simply put, Harden is outplaying everyone else in the league.  He leads the NBA in minutes, shots and free throws, averaging 27.1 points per game putting him at a close second behind former teammate Russell Westbrook.  Harden’s detractors may argue his numbers have been inflated due to the large amount of free throw shots he takes.  But when someone is that unguardable what option is there but to foul him?
With Kevin Durant sidelined for most of the season with various injuries, sports pundits everywhere agreed the success of the Thunder rested squarely upon the shoulders of Russell Westbrook.  He responded with a season to rival that of any in recent history.  Thus far he has reeled off nine triple-doubles and just missed a tenth after a rebound was rescinded in a winning effort against Miami.  Westbrook currently averages 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the month of March alone.  However, the fact he has missed more games than any other MVP candidate hurts his chances.  Factor in that and the low-seeding of his team, and the road to MVP will be an uphill battle for the athletic point guard.