Nobody in the NBA is having a better season than Shaquille O'Neal.

So here is Mad Dog's most recent list, dealing with MVP candidates. If you have ideas for future lists, or if you have comments that we just have to read, tell us by clicking here and making your feelings known. We love feedback.

One last thing: Fred also does a weekly audio chat each Thursday and it's a great opportunity for Mad Dog to answer your posting live, so check in the day before the chat and send your question. Here's the link to Fred's most recent chat.

Here's this week's Mad Dog's Top Five, with apologies to the guys he couldn't fit in (Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan and Alonzo Mourning). After Shaq, they're in no particular order.

MAD DOG'S TOP 5 MVP CANDIDATES
O'Neal	Lakers	27.7 pts, 14.7 rebs, 3.3 blk "Shaq is here because of the overhaul in game. Before it was just a cloud of dust and a big dunk, but now his game is really complete, on both ends of the floor. What he's doing is he is controlling the paint, something a big man has to do, on offense and defense. He is the reason why the Lakers are the best team in basketball. He's probably my top pick for MVP right now, but after that it is tough."
Payton	Sonics	24.0 pts, 8.9 assists, 1.6 steals "He is a tremendously competitive guy who is all about winning. He does it with everything -- speed, quickness, three-point shooting, all-around game. And he has tremendous courage as well, making game-winners and making his teammates better. Look at Ruben Patterson and Brent Barry, they're playing very well. Payton's having his finest year, literally carrying the team. He's playing like a MVP."
Webber	Kings	25.0 pts, 11.0 rebs, 1.8 blk "It's interesting, this guy was so oft-maligned for his game and everything else. He called that timeout when at Michigan, had problems in Golden State and Washington, then he comes to Sacramento and announced he'll play out his contract and then go elsewhere. Now look at him. He's really flourishing and wants to stay. With the scoring and the rebounding, he can do it all. And look at the free throws. He's at 55 percent for his career and 45 percent last season and now with extra concentration and work he's up to 76 percent! He's the reason for the Kings' success."
Hill	Pistons	27.8 pts, 6.4 rebs, 5.8 assists "He's Mr. Wonderful, does it all. And when teams play Detroit, he's a marked man. They know if they stop him they can stop the Pistons -- but you can't stop Hill. I was critical of him in the past because in his first few years he wouldn't have those big games scoring 30 or 40 points, and now he's doing it consistently. It's mind boggling now. Detroit had a tough start, but Hill has helped them to turn things around."
Garnett	Wolves	22.9 pts, 12.1 reb, 2.1 blk "This guy is just fantastic, and is still a youngster. He can face up to the basket or post up, can rebound, block shots, pass and score, anything. He has tremendous intensity and affects all his teammates. In fact, Minnesota is probably the least talented team in the playoff hunt, but because of this guy they're winning. Garnett is a young kid who looks like he was born to play."

Reader comments so far on Mad Dog's Top Five:

I would like to just make an addition to Fred Carter's list of MVP candidates. Zo Mourning is carrying his team to the best record in the Atliantic division without possibly (when healthy) the best point guard and clutch player in the division. He is putting up numbers very close to those players that Fred mentioned, with 22.9 points a game, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks. I think those are MVP stats, not to mention the fact that he is the heart and soul of his team.

Dave Beaulieu
South Windsor, Conn.

Thanks. It's about time people start giving Grant Hill credit! Though Shaq is definitely the leading candidate because of the way he's improved his game (especially defensively and with more low-post moves offensively) and made his team nearly unstoppable, Grant Hill has shown tremendous improvement in leading the Pistons this year. He can do it all, and he's consistently having great games, taking them over late in the second half. And he's developed a great jump shot, even a three-point shot. Payton, Webber and Garnett are all excellent picks as well. All three of them are all-around players and leaders for playoff teams. It's also about time someone realized Tim Duncan doesn't belong in this bunch!

Thomas Jones
Chicago

It is really refreshing to see Chris Webber on the list for the league MVP. He is putting together yet another stellar season, and is also keeping his life on track. His minor miscues over the past few seasons have been so blown out of proportion that is was ridiculous, he was just a young man who made a few mistakes. But now, success erases bad memories, and now everyone is his fan once again. I say good for him, and go Kings!

Erik Woulfe
Providence, R.I.

I can't believe that Allen Iverson isn't a candidate for MVP. You must be kidding He is blowing up this year. Remember what MVP stands for, Most Valuable Player. Are you gonna tell me that the Sixers would be in the same place if Iverson wasn't scoring 31 points a game? I didn't think so. Not only does he score, but he is terribly underrated as a defensive player. This kid is absolutely explosive and he is definitely a MVP canidate.

Barry Browning
Philadelphia

Gary Payton is the reason why the Sonics are one of the top teams in the Western Conference. He is putting up numbers consistently in games and most importantly, are winning games with average role players. With Payton's intensity and competitiveness, he can win with any team and makes him a prime MVP candidate.

Wonchul Lee
Seattle