Thunderous Intentions
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Chances Russell Westbrook wins multiple MVP awards

By Joshua Lea

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder receives the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award at the NBA Awards Show on June 26, 2017 at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder receives the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award at the NBA Awards Show on June 26, 2017 at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder and Russell Westbrook are a match made in heaven.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder looks on during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder are just over two months from returning to basketball action. This upcoming season has a lot at stake for OKC – but maybe even more for Russell Westbrook.

Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder along with the NBA fan base, saw Russell Westbrook light up the league. Not only did he average a triple-double and break the triple-double record, he also won the NBA MVP Award. While it was the first MVP award for Westbrook, this brings another question. How many more MVP awards could he win?

The 28-year-old Long Beach California native still has a lot of years left in his NBA career. Is it possible Westbrook could win three or even four more MVP awards? Sure, after all, Michael Jordan has five, LeBron James has four, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has six. The NBA has always been a league where the greatest players tend to shine above the rest of the competition. Even with the newest trend of super teams, certain players will remain highlighted above the rest.

Take James for example, he won back-to-back MVP’s on the Miami Heat during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He wasn’t the lone ranger on that team either. He had Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen to help carry the load during the season. However, LeBron, being the star that he is, demands attention. Not just from opposing teams, but, from the league and media as well.

Super teams often cloud the MVP voting. Even though the Miami Heat had James, they were still a talented team. Now that James is in Cleveland, he’s still not the lone guy there. Last season, LeBron had Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith. This is a far cry from what the Thunder had paired with Westbrook last season.

The simple fact that Westbrook carried the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs with triple-doubles, game winning shots and sheer determination is the reason he was awarded the MVP.

I’ve always said that the MVP award should be given based on one thing. How good is the team without the MVP candidate. If James Harden didn’t play for Houston last season, are they still a playoff team? I would think so, maybe the Rockets would be in the seventh or eighth seed. If you take Kawhi Leonard off the Spurs, are they a playoff team? Sure they are, the Spurs always make the playoffs.

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However, if you take Westbrook off the Thunder (last season) what would have happened? Well, for one, the Thunder wouldn’t have made the playoffs. In fact, the Thunder would have had a rough season without Westbrook.

That’s why he’s the MVP. That’s why OKC adores him. This season, he’ll have Paul George to help carry the load. However, does George hinder his chances at a second straight MVP? No, If Stephen Curry and LeBron James can win it being apart of teams with multiple super stars, why not Westbrook too?

The biggest takeaway is this: Westbrook’s triple-doubles are merely scratching the surface of what he can do in this league. Westbrook has the chance to leave a mark on this league comparable to Kobe Bryant. I would look for Westbrook to be in the MVP discussion for seasons to come.

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