Russell Westbrook edges closer to Most Valuable Player Award
Russell Westbrook edges closer to Most Valuable Player Award
What a week for Russell Westbrook! Personal award recipients won’t be confirmed until June 26 in the inaugural NBA Awards Show. But the list has been narrowed to three candidates for each of the five personal awards (and Coach of Year). Westbrook, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Most Valuable Player Award.
Russell Westbrook delivered quite possibly the most impressive personal season in 2016-17 on NBA record. Averaging a triple-double for the first time in over 50-years, and only the second player (Oscar Robertson) to ever accomplish this feat. What made this accomplishment even more impressive is the copious dynamics surrounding Westbrook’s situation.
First, Russell no longer has a star teammate (and former MVP) to help him in his efforts. Nor did he have the services of the defensive minded athlete in Serge Ibaka. Rather, Westbrook had to be this good just to keep his Thunder relevant and carry the burden of making sure his team returned to the post season.
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Although there will always be debate regarding the awards Westbrook’s inclusion is without reproach. Likewise James Harden delivered a career best season. In fact if it weren’t for Westbrook’s record setting season and lack of stars on the OKC Thunder roster, it’s likely Harden would have been a shoo-in to win.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists
Highlights:
- First player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double
- Sets NBA record for most triple-double games in a season (42)
- First points per game average
- 4-time, Player of Week (Oct31/Dec 5/Dec 26, 2016 – April 10, 2017)
- November 2016,, Player of Month
- February 2017, Player of Month
Related: Westbrook earns All-NBA first team
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Stats: 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 11.2 assists
Highlights:
- First in assists per game average
- December 2016, Player of Month
- 4-time, Player of Week (Nov 14/Dec19, 2016 – Jan 2/Mar 27, 2017)
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Stats: 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Highlights:
- 2-time, Player of Week (Jan 23/Mar6, 2017)
- one of two players (Gobert) nominated for two awards
Many LeBron James fans were up in arms over his exclusion from the top three finalist list. Surely, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant fans also have their advocates. Yet, with the Warriors coming back to erase a 25-point deficit in Game 1 after Kawhi Leonard went down, it’s hard not to justify Leonard’s inclusion.
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Further, the Spurs lost Tim Duncan and have the aging core of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol and a regressing LaMarcus Aldridge.
In contrast, to Westbrook’s Thunder the Warriors boast five players who have been All-Stars (Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala). Moreover two former regular season MVPs (Curry/Green) and Championship MVP (Iguodala) are all on the roster.
As for James, he has two All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love along with several 3-point specialists like Kyle Korver, Channing Frye and JR Smith plus a defensive beast and rebounding machine Tristan Thompson.
Agree or disagree about the finalists, there is no denying Russell Westbrook’s season or that he accomplished more with less. Now it’s just a matter of waiting ti June 26, for it to be formalized.