Monday night, the NBA Most Valuable Player was announced. Russell Westbrook received 69 first place votes beating out Kawhi Leonard and former teammate James Harden.
Monday night’s results were historic. Russell Westbrook became the first player to win the award after winning less than fifty games since Moses Malone in 1981. He was also the correct choice.
But, why is he the most valuable player? Is he the best all around player? Or is he the most important player to his team? And what defines importance to your team? Where would your team be without you? That’s where Russ stood out this past season.
For third place Kawhi Leonard, it’s difficult to predict the team not being successful with three future Hall of Famers in Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol. Oh yeah, he’s also got 5-time champion Gregg Popovich on his side too. Plus his numbers of 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game didn’t compare to the top 2 finalists.
Now we have to settle the season long debate of Westbrook vs. Harden. Statistically, the numbers are eerily similar. Harden averaged 29 points per game, Westbrook had 32. Westbrook averaged 3 more rebounds while Harden averaged 1 more assist.
What about efficiency and all of those “bad” shots Westbrook takes? Russ shot 43% from the field and 34% from distance. Interestingly enough, Harden was only 1% better in each category. The numbers are close, so who made their teammates better? Harden played with a plethora of veterans like Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon, making his supporting cast slightly stronger.
Still, the numbers tell an interesting story. Ariza shot the worst 3 point percentage in his last 5 seasons. Lou Williams, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Lakers, shot 32 percent from three point range, 7% worse than when he played with D’Angelo Russell and the Lakers.
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Westbrook had a new teammate as well in Victor Oladipo; the 25-year old had the most efficient season of his career. Russell also helped the offensively inept Andre Roberson average his career high in points.
The Rockets were a team with 4 of the top 10 player in three pointers made as well as 2 of the three finalists for sixth man of the year. The Thunder were a team with 3 rookies playing significant minutes as well as multiple players in the last year of their rookie contract.
Oklahoma City would be destined for the lottery, but Westbrook willed them to the 6 seed in the gauntlet of a Western Conference and only 8 fewer wins than Houston.
Westbrook had the best statistical season in 60 years after losing the second best player in the world. He kept a perennial contender in the playoffs and matured the careers of a roster full of young talent. No other player in the association was more important to the success of his team.
MVP voters got this one right.