Anthony Davis endorses James Harden for MVP

This season's MVP race is as hotly contested as any the NBA has seen in a quarter century, with Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and even Chris Paul enjoying MVP-caliber campaigns.

Of course, only one of those superstars will lift the Maurice Podoloff Trophy next month, and if you ask The Brow, it's The Beard's to lose.

"James Harden. It would probably have to be James," Davis told Dan Patrick on Monday when asked who would get his vote.

"He's definitely playing out of his mind. We talk about this on my team every day," Davis added. "I think with him not having Dwight (Howard) for as long as he did, and he's still competing and still winning games for them. It's unreal."

Davis did say, however, that if he could choose to have the game of one of Harden, Curry or Westbrook, he would take Russ' skill set.

Harden is averaging 27.2 points, seven assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals to lead the Houston Rockets to a 50-24 record despite long-term absences from Howard and other Rockets starters.

Davis has his own MVP case, of course, averaging 24.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, two assists and 1.5 steals to go with a legendary Player Efficiency Rating of 31.14, although a slew of injuries and the New Orleans Pelicans' current ninth-place seeding have derailed those hopes.

Westbrook, meanwhile, has recorded nine triple-doubles while keeping the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference playoff picture without Kevin Durant.