2016-2017 NBA MVP Predictions

2. Russell Westbrook

No Durant. No problem. The triple double machine Westbrook will be ready to do work this season.

This will be the best year of Westbrook’s entire career.

So, why is he second?

Related Story: Does Russell Westbrook deserve to be the 2017 MVP favorite?

Because, basketball is a team sport and the chances of him winning the MVP on a team that at best will be a 4th seed in the West is unlikely.

The only way Westbrook can win the MVP with a team that could rank in the middle of the Western Conference would be for him to pull an Oscar Robertson.

That’s right.

He would need to average a triple double for the entire season.

This might be a much more realistic possibility than some may think.

Let’s look at last year.

Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game last season.

His rebounding numbers could easily increase to double digits this season with no Serge Ibaka, who averaged 6.8 rebounds, and Kevin Durant, who averaged 8.2 rebounds.

All Westbrook needs to do is get two more additional rebounds that Durant and Ibaka would have gotten to get 10 plus rebounds per game.

But, his assists could go down without Durant.

Also, Oladipo, who was traded to the Thunder this past summer, is a point guard. Oladipo could take some of those assists away from Westbrook as well.

The triple-double for the season is still possible, but Westbrook’s chances are slim.

That’s why Westbrook ranks 2nd on this list.

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