NBA: Top 5 Early MVP Candidates

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

1. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Quick, recall your favorite James Harden defensive play. It is difficult to come up with one because over his career, defense has been just a rumor with him. He did not have the word in his vocabulary.

That’s what is going to make the next words incredible to digest — JAMES HARDEN LEADS THE LEAGUE IN DEFENSIVE WIN SHARES (2.0)!

He also leads the NBA in overall Win Shares, but it’s his new-found want to play defense that has catapulted Harden atop the MVP chart. His career Defensive Box Plus/Minus is -0.1. This season, it is at 1.9. He has career highs in points (27.0, also leading the NBA), rebounds (6.2), steals (2.0) and blocks (1.0). Oh, and his assists are at a career-high as well (7.0).

With the hot start of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Warriors, Harden has his Rockets just three games behind the Warriors in the Western Conference, and just a game behind the Grizzlies in the Southwest Division.

With the emphasis on defense, Harden has teamed up with Dwight Howard and helped his team to the second-ranked defense in points allowed (what’s more amazing is that OKC ranks number one).

At this point of the season, the award would go to James Harden. If his newly formed defensive prowess continues, he can certainly expect to win his first NBA MVP trophy.

Next: Who are the greatest players in every NBA franchise's history?

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