The Early Race for NBA MVP is ON!

Here are these guy's early picks for MVP. I have to go with LeBron. The Cavs are on the right track and the talk of him leaving are gone because he would be stupid to start over somewhere else. I think D-Wade is right there in the hunt, but his team isn't in the title hunt. The same goes for Dwight Howard and the Magic. It should be interesting as they get to the all-star break, but I see LeBron James at the top of everyone's list.

1. We're about one-third of the way through the regular season. How would you assess the MVP race?

Ian Thomsen: LeBron James is the front-runner. He has never played better or been more valuable. His Cavaliers have the second-best record in the league and look for the first time like true championship contenders. Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett are going to be in consideration, but this is shaping up to be LeBron's year.

Jack McCallum: There isn't much assessing to be done -- it's LeBron. Team is improved. He's improved. Kobe isn't having an MVP year. The Celtics' Big Three has too much balance. The main comp comes from Wade, and the Heat aren't good enough to make him a viable candidate.

Chris Mannix: Very tough race to call. LeBron, Kobe, Wade, and Paul have been filling stat sheets, and you can take your pick between Garnett and Paul Pierce in Boston. But let me ask this: Who among us expected Denver to be only 4½ games out of first place in the Western Conference two days before Christmas? Anyone? I know I didn't. The lion's share of the credit goes to Chauncey Billups, who has reenergized the franchise with his toughness and leadership. Billups will rarely put up gaudy numbers, but the way he has single-handedly turned Denver into a cohesive unit has been nothing short of remarkable.

Steve Aschburner: Got to go with LeBron here. He organizes and orchestrates Cleveland's offense. He is asserting himself defensively like never before. Pluck him off that team and Cleveland would plummet more in the standings than the Lakers without Bryant, the Magic without Dwight Howard or the Hornets without Paul. James is ready for his MVP close-up.