NBA announces award finalists including Westbrook for MVP

Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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Russell Westbrook
Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA announced the three finalists for each of the six personal awards with Russell Westbrook in the running for MVP.

After the season Russell Westbrook delivered it wasn’t a surprise he would be among the three players confirmed in the running for Most Valuable Player. Still, it was a nice way for Westbrook to complete a week chock full of personal celebrations. The Brodie began the week by welcoming his first child, when wife Nina gave birth to baby boy Noah Russell Westbrook. Thursday he learned he made the All-NBA first team.

Here’s the list of Awards and three finalists in each category:

Most Valuable Player:

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

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