NBA MVP race: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James locked in the closest race in years

In previous years the award has often been a one-horse race

(Getty Images)

In recent years, the NBA's Most Valuable Player race has pretty much been a forgone conclusion.

In four of the last six years it has been won by the sport's best player LeBron James, with only Derrick Rose (2011) and Kevin Durant (2015) breaking his dominance.

Usually the winner of the race is known long before the end of the season. However, this year has offered one of the most thrilling races to the award in league history in which there are four legitimate candidates for the award: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and James - and that is without even considering Chris Paul or Anthony Davis who have each enjoyed excellent seasons.

Here are the four main contenders for the award:

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors):

Curry is the odds-on favourite of many associated with the NBA and perhaps rightly so. The Golden State point guard is the talisman of the best team in the league as well as being arguably the best shooter the league has ever seen.

The 2015 three-point contest winner can shoot it from anywhere, whether it is off the dribble or a catch and shoot scenario. Add in his improved handling and defensive game and there can be no arguments if the electrifying 27-year-old picks up the award.

Do not be surprised to see him lift the NBA Championships in June too.

Odds: 1.14

James Harden:

Harden has been an ever-present driving force for the Houston Rockets in an injury hit season, with 'The Beard' carrying his team on numerous occasions in the absence of star team-mate Dwight Howard.

He is currently second in average points per game, with 27.5, as well as averaging an impressive 6.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.

The 25-year-old has generated more wins for his team than anyone else in the league and is a serious contender for the award, but he finds himself slightly behind Curry according to the bookies.

Odds: 3.5

LeBron James:

James is one of the best players to ever play the game so it is no surprise to see his name mentioned in the MVP shortlist once again. If 'The King' were to collect the award for the fifth time, it would add to his already remarkable season since his return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It took a while to get going in Cleveland but the championship push is up and running – all thanks to James.

However, it seems the 30-year-old will miss out on the award, with the new kids on the block trying to take the crown off the King.

Odds: 31

Russell Westbrook:

What a season it has been for Westbrook. Unfortunately for him, his team has not played as well as him throughout the course of the season. With the loss of last season’s MVP Kevin Durant and defensive anchor Serge Ibaka to injury, the All-Star point guard found himself struggling to carry the weight of a whole roster – but he did give it a good go.

Westbrook leads the league in scoring, is third in assists, second in steals and is the best rebounding guard in the league. The numbers he has put up this season have been like he’s playing a video game - he has 11 triple-doubles this year, with no other player recording more than three.

Whether the Oklahoma star wins the award or not, there is no doubt that he is one of the most explosive and entertaining players in the league. Add in his passion and desire to win every night and he could easily be a future winner of the award.

Odds: 13