Last year, Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry won his second MVP award, becoming the first player to win by unanimous vote. This season is a little different. Curry is not in the running at all, and it’s an extremely close race between a few other league superstars.

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On the Dan Patrick Show Monday, the two-time reigning MVP was asked whom he would pick for the award between the two top choices, Houston Rockets guard James Harden or Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook. Curry chose the 5-time All-Star Harden.

“You kind of have to reward the better team, I would think, record-wise,” Curry said. “That’s just kind of going in the history of the MVP award. So, I think James will probably edge him out just off of that.”

Harden is putting up great numbers, averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and a league-leading 11.2 assists per game. The Rockets are also sitting in the third spot in the Western Conference.

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Harden’s competition is right with him though. Westbrook is averaging a triple-doubled. He leads the league in scoring with 31.9 points per game and he also averages 10.1 assists and 10.5 rebounds. But the Thunder are not doing as well, sitting in the sixth spot.

Although the two guards lead the race, a couple of outstanding forwards are still in the discussion.

Cleveland Cavaliers megastar LeBron James is having a career-high season in assists, rebounds and 3-point shooting percentage; and of course he is leading the Cavs to the best record in the Eastern Conference. San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is right there with him, averaging a career-high in points (26.3) and assists (5.9) and leading his team to the top of the west.