Russell Westbrook an Early MVP Favorite
We need to have a talk about Russell Westbrook. A serious talk. I mean how often does the League’s top story not involve the names, Curry or James? This is a big deal, folks. And before I go any further, I just want to drop some numbers for you. 30.4-11-10.5. No that’s not the measurements for an excessively top heavy woman. It’s Mr. Westbrook’s points, assists, and rebounds per game. It’s a triple double, is what it is. We’re nearly thirty games into the season and Russell Westbrook, the 28 year-old from Long Beach, California, the guy who played far too much of his young career in the shadow of another player, whose true potential has not come to light until this season, is averaging a triple double EVERY GAME.
55 years ago, a man named Oscar Robertson, arguably (and I do mean arguably) the greatest to ever play the game, became the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double. The year was 1961. Robertson, a 6’5″ sophomore guard on the Cincinnati Royals, finished the season with 30.8 points, 11.4 assists, and 12.5 rebounds per game. Incredible numbers from an incredible player. But Westbrook’s got one thing on the Big O–he’s playing 10 fewer minutes per game.
Now sure, we’re only a third of the way into the season. There’s still time for Westbrook’s rebounds to decline. But that’s beside the point. Whether or not Russell closes out the year with a triple-double, 2016-17 will nonetheless go down as one of the greatest statistical seasons in the history of the league.
Right now, the Thunder are 16-11 and second in the Northwest Division. (Does it matter that Oklahoma City is somewhere in the grassy armpit of the American Midwest? Apparently not.) Aside from Westbrook, the team’s numbers leave much to be desired. In a league where you need 20+ points from three different players just to keep up with your competition, it’s clear why the Thunder are struggling. The next highest scorer on the team is Victor Oladipo with 16.1 points per game. Then, Enes Kanter with 12.7 ppg and 5.7 boards. Not exactly eye popping numbers.
But the fact remains that the Oklahoma City Thunder are will make the playoffs this year. And they have their star to thank for that. From November 15 to December 9, Westbrook put up seven consecutive triple-doubles, a feat only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have achieved. No big deal, just a secret club with two of the greatest ballers of all time.
Just so that seven-game stat line can effectively absorb into your bloodstream, let’s have a better look:
- Nov. 25 vs. Nuggets: 36 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists
- Nov. 26 vs. Pistons: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 15 assists
- Nov. 28 vs. Knicks: 27 points, 17 rebounds, 14 assists
- Nov. 30 vs. Wizards: 35 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists
- Dec. 4 vs. Pelicans: 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists
- Dec. 5 vs. Hawks: 32 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists
- Dec. 9 vs. Rockets: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
And then for effect, let’s throw in his most recent performance: 26 points, 22 assists, and 11 rebounds. That means Westbrook generated at least 70 of the Thunder’s 114 points. 26 points and 22 assists. That alone makes him the fourth player in NBA history to record a 25-point, 20-assist triple double. The other three? They’re in the Hall of Fame now.
So we’re in the middle of witnessing history. The rise and shine of a new Great. If not for the play of his former teammate down in Houston, James Harden, Westbrook might be the easy favorite to win the MVP this year. Of course, he’s got Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Harden to contend with. But in many ways, he squashing them six ways from Saturday.
Each of those three, Durant, James, and Harden, have star-quality players to lean on. They can afford to ease up in moments. Westbrook doesn’t have that luxury. As recently as last Wednesday, opponents were outscoring OKC by 12.9 points per 100 possessions with Russ off the floor. That’s the worst in the league by a mile. By contrast, with Russ on the floor, the team was outscoring opponents by 5.2 points per 100 possessions. Meaning, in order to stay in the hunt for the playoffs, Westbrook essentially has to keep up his trip-dubs. And if you know anything about Russell Westbrook, then you know he’s got as much drive to win as a third of the league combined. Okay I know that’s not quantifiable, but the point is, the guy’s got enough heart to fill a whole stadium with his blood. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a hyperbole, but you get what I’m saying. Which, more specifically, is this:
When you look back on the history of this league you will notice some players standing out. *Cough* Michael Jordan *Cough*. And what made those players so special was their sheer will to win. It was the twenty-ton chip they each carried on their shoulders. Westbrook’s been carrying that chip most of his young life. And now, with no Durant or Harden to steal the show, we’re seeing exactly what he’s made of.
