NBA: Top 5 MVP Candidates Entering the 2015-2016 NBA Season

Jun 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward

(23) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard

(9) during the first quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

5. LeBron James

2014-15 Stats: 25.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 48% FG, 35% 3PT, 25.9 PER

I know what you are thinking. Is it sacrilege to have King James ranked fifth on this list? Before the first stone leaves your hand and heads in my direction hear me out. This guy has been the best basketball player on the planet for a while now.

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) hugs Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Warriors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The way he put the injury-riddled Cleveland Cavaliers on his back last postseason and nearly led them to an underdog victory in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. In fact, for the first time in a long time he had people actually considering giving him the Finals MVP award…despite the fact his team lost. That is unprecedented.

He is more than capable of doing it again of course, but here are some major contributing factors going into this season. For one thing, LeBron is no longer a youthful spring chicken. He has struggled with some back issues already during the pre-season and although he seems to have no kryptonite…father time remains undefeated.

Throw in the multitude of injuries the Cavaliers already face (Iman Shumpert and Kyrie Irving), there are some causes for concern when thinking about his impact this season. Who knows how Kevin Love returns from the shoulder injury he received from the Kelly Olynyk armbar?

The Cavaliers are the best team in the East – there is no doubt about that. The thing is that the Cavaliers could coast and still quite possibly claim the top seed in the conference. He has a lot of miles on his body already and he is now 30-years-old, so it could be possible that he takes two weeks off like he did last season.

He will be motivated for sure because of the tough loss in the Finals, but one man can only do so much. One could make the argument that no one player is more valuable than LeBron. As he starts his descent from his peak years, it will be interesting to see how he progresses as the season does.

His stats and impact will no doubt remain outstanding, but voters tend to grow tired of picking the same guy over and over again, even if that player is more than deserving of the honor. For now, LeBron looks to be an underdog again in the MVP race – just like he was against the Warriors.

Next: No. 4