Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Russell Westbrook qualifies for three of six NBA fan voting awards

By Tony Heim

Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after the game against the Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center. During the game Westbrook broke the single season record for most triple doubles in a single season. The Thunder won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after the game against the Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center. During the game Westbrook broke the single season record for most triple doubles in a single season. The Thunder won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Russell Westbrook
Apr 4, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts as it announced that he has tied the season triple double record in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

On Thursday the NBA announced six awards in which fans vote the winner. Russell Westbrook is the only player up for multiple awards.

James Harden: 1

LeBron James: 0

Kevin Durant: 0

Russell Westbrook: 3

That’s the number of NBA Fan Voting Awards a few of the NBA’s best players were nominated for yesterday. The awards go like this: Best Style, Assist of the Year, Block of the Year, Dunk of the Year, Game Winner of the Year and Performance of the Year. Notice the lack of “2’s” on that list, and even “1’s” for that matter. Well of course besides the man who will be named the Most Valuable Player of the Year that same night.

MUST READ: What’s next for Sam Presti and the Thunder

Russ got nominated for Best Style (year round), Game Winner of the Year (Round #2 in Denver) and Performance of the Year (in Orlando). Because the NBA could not possibly leave him off these three categories Russ was left off Assist of the Year AND Dunk of the Year…you tell me if these plays aren’t one of the three best you saw this season.

The assist

Remember, this was for his 22nd and final assist of the game.

The dunk

Remember, this was to seal a victory on national television against the Houston Rockets. Alas, the NBA decided to pick a different Oklahoma City Thunder dunk. And honestly, we can’t really complain about this one.

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers finished with two nominations apiece. The Rockets, Spurs and Clippers each received one nomination.

When we look back on this season – and most likely the next three or four – the Warriors or LeBron James will be the champion. It sucks to admit, but it’s the truth. The lack of parody is not a good thing for the NBA as an entertainment product, especially for the other 28 teams with active fanbases.

More from Thunderous Intentions

These four nominations for the Thunder validate what OKC fans have said all season: Oklahoma City is home to one of the most, if not THE most, entertaining basketball product in the world. Every game may not have culminated in a win this season, but every game we were forced out of our seat because of some spectacular play.

No, the Thunder didn’t win the Finals this year, nor could they win more than one playoff game; but 29 teams don’t win the Finals and 16 teams failed to win a playoff game this season.

Success is arbitrary. The Thunder had zero chance of winning the Finals this season, so success had to be measured in some other form for us fans. That form, and the entire basis behind the NBA, is entertainment.

Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder entertained us like none other season before, and for that we thank you.

To vote for Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo, follow this link.

Home/Thunder News