Houston Rockets point guard (yes, point guard) James Harden says he’s the best player in the game.

Portland Trail Blazers' star (and fellow point guard) Damian Lillard has already spoken candidly about his desire to claim that No. 1 spot as the NBA's Kia MVP.

Kawhi Leonard is letting his play do the talking for the San Antonio Spurs, much like Russell Westbrook is doing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

There are past winners in Oakland (Kevin Durant and reigning two-time KIA MVP Stephen Curry) and Cleveland (four-time winner LeBron James) who can make compelling cases for the crown.

We are toe-deep into the 2016-17 NBA season and the MVP chatter is already at a fever pitch. And you thought campaign season was over. It’s just getting started around here, with one of the deepest and most talented fields of legitimate candidates we’ve seen in years.