Monthly MVP Ladder, March Edition

Welcome back everyone! The end of the NBA regular season is just 5 weeks away. Crazy, isn't it? It may be crazy, but the Monthly MVP Ladder must still go on. This is the Monthly MVP Ladder, March Edition.

5. Kyrie Irving

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Kyrie Irving has gotten lower on the ladder, but he is still the same electric player that he was last month. Kyrie's scoring output has dipped a little during the month of February, but he makes up for that with his passing and finishing ability. Year after year Kyrie makes unbelievable plays with his handles and quick hands. This year is no different. He is still making these electric plays that energize Boston.

Kyrie is averaging 24.8 ppg, 5.1 apg, and 3.7 rpg. He also is shooting very consistently. He is shooting a career high 49% from the field and 41% from deep. Moving to Boston has really advanced Irving's career. Being on a team where he is the best player has transformed Irving into a better passer and a more motivated defender.

Game in and game out Irving shows that he can lead a talented Boston team. When on the Cavs Irving's main focus was scoring, but now Irving's main focus is helping his team win. This is the mindset that Irving needs to take the Celtics to the finals or even win the finals.

Kyrie Irving is on a young team that has no ceiling. Irving may have dipped down a bit on the ladder, but he definitely still is in MVP contention. No matter what happens this year, Irving and the Celtics have a bright future.

4. Anthony Davis

(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

No one in the NBA this season has had a better month than Anthony Davis, and this is including James Harden. Anthony Davis averaged 35 ppg, 13 rpg, 2.5 spg, 2.2 bpg, and 1.5 apg. This historical month has Anthony Davis averaging 28.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.2 bpg. When Cousins got injured the thought that raced across my head was that the Pelicans playoff hopes were gone, but I was clearly wrong. Davis has come back from the All Star break with a bang.

If Davis can sustain this level of play during the playoffs the Pelicans possibly could make it past the first round in the loaded Western Conference. It won't be easy, but ever since Demarcus Cousins went down with his Achilles injury, Davis has had five 40+ point games. Since 2000 only Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Anthony Davis have been able to accomplish this feat.

Since Cousins' injury Davis has been able to lead the Pelicans to the 5th seed in the Western Conference and insert himself into the MVP race. They even have a legitimate chance to grab a top 4 seed and get home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

You may be wondering why Davis is so low on the ladder? Well, although Davis has the numbers to be MVP, it is still a long shot, as their team just doesn't have enough wins yet for Davis to receive the award. As much as Davis deserves to be higher on this list, voters care about the wins just as much as the stats. But if the Pelicans can turn things around and grab a top 4 seed Davis may just be MVP. Davis may not win this year, but if Cousins does sign this offseason the Pelicans could be a team that everyone has to be scared of.

3. Stephen Curry

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Every year Curry is one of the top players in consideration for MVP. He manages to lead the Warriors to the Finals year in and year out, and while he does this he also puts up an amazing stat line.

Curry is averaging 26.3 ppg, 6.2 apg, 5.1 rpg. Curry is always one of the best scorers in the league, but this year he is also one of the best rebounding point guards in the league. Every year he is one of the best offensive players in the league, as he has a 125.2 OFF RTG this year, which is good for top 10 in the league and second among guards. Along with his offensive improvements he is also improving on the defensive end, averaging 1.6 spg. It feels like Curry improves every year and makes the Warriors even more unstoppable.

The Rockets are going to be a challenge for the Warriors in the playoffs. Over the past couple of years it has been smooth sailing for the Warriors in the playoffs, but in this year's playoffs the Warriors are going to go up against the high-powered Houston Rockets lead by James Harden.

Of course beating James Harden and the Rockets is no easy feat, but if Curry can play at the level that he has been playing at all season, than the Warriors could blow past the Rockets and back to the Finals for the 4th straight year.

Curry and Durant are a lethal combo, but Durant is also one of the reasons why Curry isn't higher on this list. With Durant on the team Curry is having to share the ball more and the attention is getting divided. Of course Curry and the Warriors love Durant, but having Durant does sacrifice individual stats. Durant does take away some of the attention from Curry, but Curry is still in contention for the MVP.

2. Lebron James

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Since the trade deadline Lebron and the Cavs have been completely different. They are working as a unit and playing like a team. This is improving Lebron as well.

Lebron for the month of February averaged a triple double for the month, which makes that month the first month in his 15 year career where he averaged a triple double. Along with this he also became the first and only player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, 8,000 assists. Lebron has had a historical month and it doesn't look like he is going to decline anytime soon.

Lebron does spectacular things every year, and in his 15th year in the league he is doing the exact same things. Honestly it looks like he has gotten better in his 15th season, when normally this is where many players decline.

For the past few years the Cavs have easily made the Finals, but this year is where Lebron and the Cavaliers are going to really be tested. The Raptors with their duo of Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry have already clinched a playoff spot and the Celtics aren't too far behind. Then there is the Wizards who are always contenders with their high-powered offense.

The Cavs are going to have a much harder road to the Finals this year, but if they can do it Lebron may just win the MVP award for his 5th time and tie Michael Jordan.

1. James Harden

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden is the undisputed favorite for MVP. Harden may have come in second place to Russell Westbrook last year, but this year Harden is motivated to win it.

Harden is averaging a league high 31.1 ppg, 8.8 apg, which is good for 3rd in the league, and 5.1 rpg. I don't know if Harden is giving for effort on defense to try to win a championship or for the MVP award, but either way it is really helping the Rockets. Harden is top 20 among guards, which is a huge improvement and is really helping the Rockets.

Harden is also leading the NBA in 3 pointers made. This is contributing to the Rockets leading the league in 3 pointers made. This is contributing to the Rockets leading the league in 3 pointers made and attempted. Yes, you heard me right. Not the Warriors.

Harden and the Rockets just clinched a playoff spot, which makes them the first team in the West to clinch a playoff spot. In the three games against the Warriors this season the Rockets have won 2 of them, so they are actually beating the Warriors in the season series, but for some of those games the Warriors were without key players, like Curry and Durant.

Beating the Warriors won't be easy, but because of Harden's play Harden may be able to win his first ring and his first MVP.

Honorable Mentions: Demar Derozan, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo