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NBA MVP Finalist debate – Why Westbrook, Harden and Leonard are correct choices

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (left), forward Kevin Love (center) and forward LeBron James (right) look on from the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (left), forward Kevin Love (center) and forward LeBron James (right) look on from the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Roster composition:

Granted, having LeBron James on your team sure can make life easier to pave a way for post season success. Yet, ask yourself if Russell Westbrook had stars Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving along with 3-point specialists Kyle Korver, JR Smith, Channing Frye along with a few more capable shooters at his disposal if he wouldn’t still be playing in the post season.

Related: Westbrook join very exclusive 4 member club

Examining the main MVP candidates only one team still performed well when their best player sat or couldn’t play — James Harden’s Rockets.  Even James’ Cavaliers, though less successful without him, still boast two other All-Stars. Yet, when Westbrook sat in the playoffs the Thunder routinely lost double digit leads and the Spurs were relegated to an unusual sweep without the services of star Kawhi Leonard.

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