OTHER MVP CONTENDERS

* Magic Johnson, Lakers: He does not rank near the top in any major statistical category except assists. But his worth to the Lakers, who have the league’s best record, is incalculable.

For example, when Johnson sprained his right ankle in the second quarter against Portland two weeks ago, the Lakers lost by 19 points. Three days later, a hobbled Johnson returned and led the Lakers to a 29-point victory over Portland and a 16-point victory over Utah two days later.

Johnson, who is making 37% of his three-point attempts, averages more than 22 points, more than 11 assists and half a dozen rebounds.

* Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls: He undeniably is the league’s most prolific player. He leads the league in scoring, once again, and simply takes over games.

Three weeks ago, Jordan had a three-game week in which he scored 69 in overtime, 49 and 47 points.

Last season, Jordan finished second to Johnson in the closest vote of the decade after winning the award in 1987-88. Jordan averages a league-leading 34 points and 2.6 steals.

* Charles Barkley, Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers have already won five more games than last season and the difference has been Barkley’s play and leadership.

In three games last week, for instance, Barkley averaged 37.4 points and 14 rebounds and shot 66% as the 76ers maintained first place in the Atlantic Division.

Barkley is among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage. He averages more than 25 points and 11 rebounds.

* Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Had the vote been taken at midseason, Ewing might well have won. The Knicks were in first place in the Atlantic Division, and the media machine in New York was churning out praise for the Knick center.

But New York has slumped to third place, and Ewing has not been able to turn the tide alone. Still, he has developed into a dominating center. He averages 29 points, third behind Jordan and Malone, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

* Akeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets. Olajuwon may be the league’s most versatile center. He is the only player this season to have had a quadruple-double--double figures in points, rebounds, assists and blocked shots. In fact, he almost has done it twice.

He ranks in the league’s top 10 in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots and is the leading contender for defensive player of the year.

* David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs. A sure thing as the NBA rookie of the year, Robinson is mostly responsible for the Spurs’ turnaround from the lottery to a contender.

Robinson began the weekend ninth in the league in scoring with a 23.7 average and second in rebounding with 11.9 a game.