NBA: How history tells us who will win the 2017-18 NBA MVP

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 22: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Western Conference Finals at AT&T Center on May 22, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers look on during the second half of a game at Staples Center on April 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

6. James Harden/Chris Paul (tie)

Full disclosure: this is a cop out. I have no earthly clue what it will look like when the two of the four deadliest ball-handlers on the planet share the same backcourt for an entire season. Neither do you. No one does.

What we do know is that barring injury, a) the Rockets will win close to 60 games, give or take, and b) neither Paul nor Harden will take the Dwyane Wade Commemorative Back Seat.

The closest comp might be Russ and KD during Durant’s last season in OKC, when the pair managed to finish in fourth and fifth. That was a top-heavy conference though; this year will be deep with plenty of individual contenders for the award, and the East is still technically part of the league.

Barring injury, Curry and Durant will both find their way into the top 10. It’s tough to imagine two sets of teammates making it there. Here’s betting one of Harden or Paul just misses the top five, and the other one ends up rounding out the field.

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