Great guard play this season makes picking this award a difficult chore. Last season, the league MVP came from this group. Will it happen again?

Check out the stats for each candidate from the season, what we said about each player and then vote in the ESPN.com poll.

Allen Iverson, 76ers

PPG REB ASST STL 31.1 3.8 4.6 2.51 It hasn't been the smoothest of rides, but the league's highest scoring guard carried his team to the conference title while also leading the league in steals.

Jason Kidd, Suns

PPG REB ASST STL 16.9 6.4 9.4 1.67 Injuries decimated the Suns this season, but Kidd kept them in the hunt all year long.

Gary Payton, Sonics

PPG REB ASST 3PT% 23.0 4.6 8.1 36.3 The Sonics would be a lottery team without the fiery Payton but he kept their playoff hopes flickering until the bitter end.

Steve Francis, Rockets

PPG REB ASST 3PT% 19.9 6.9 6.5 39.6 Last season's co-Rookie of the Year followed up his first year with another dominating year.

Vince Carter, Raptors

PPG REB ASST 3PT% 27.6 5.5 3.9 40.8 Still put up the big numbers but got his into the playoffs without a lot of help.

Kobe Bryant, Lakers

PPG REB ASST STL 28.5 5.9 5.0 1.68 Despite a season-long media hype about his battle with Shaq, he kept launching them and making them.