Week 4 NBA MVP race: Westbrook leads pack, Durant close behind
USA TODAY Sports' top five candidates for the 2016-17 NBA MVP award (through Nov. 26).
Also receiving votes: Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin.
► Week 4 NBA power rankings: Warriors hold steady at the top
5. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
The savvy veteran point guard is averaging 17.8 points, 8.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals and is shooting a career-high 43.0% from beyond the arc (2.2 makes per game) for the 14-3 Clippers.
4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
The fact that Harden dropped from first in last week's rankings to fourth in this week's isn't a knock against him, but simply a testament to how close the MVP race has been thus far. The Beard is averaging a league-leading 12.4 assists and ranks fourth in points per game with 28.3.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
As the conductor of a Cavs train that's showing no signs of slowing down, not only is the 31-year-old James — averaging 23.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists — playing phenomenal basketball (surprise), but the defending champs are 12-1 with him on the floor.
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Hate him or love him, the Warriors' newest superstar is making a strong case for early-season MVP. The award's 2014-15 receipient is averaging 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals, and not only is his field goal percentage (57.4%) a career high, it ranks sixth in the NBA, behind five centers.
1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing with as much fire as ever, Westbrook already has a league-leading seven triple-doubles, four more than the second-place Harden. At this point, we're not sure what's more head-turning: his gaudy 31.2-point, 11.1-assist, 9.9-rebound averages, or his league-leading 40.2% usage rate.
Week 4 gallery: USA TODAY Sports' NBA MVP race
List of voters: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; Arizona Republic's Paul Coro; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor; Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Charles Gardner; The (Bergen) Records Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com's Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly's Howard Megdal.