Who has the clearest path to MVP as we reach the quarter point of the NBA season?
Having led his Houston Rockets to the Western Conference's best record at 16-4, James Harden -- the runner-up to Russell Westbrook a season ago -- looks like the early MVP favorite. However, four-time MVP LeBron James is also in the mix to reclaim the award he last won in 2012-13, and other contenders could emerge.
Using the historical breakdown I put together last fall, let's take a look at which paths this season's candidates could follow to winning MVP.