Day 218

Fresh Start_218: NBA MVP 2016-17
Russell Westbrook should be the MVP of the NBA. I am not one of those people that will just throw the triple double stat line at you and walk away. Looking at more than just his astonishing 31.4 points per game (1st in the NBA), 10.5 rebounds (11th in the NBA), and 10.4 assists (3rd in NBA), Westbrook is having an incredible season that cannot be taken for granted.

With everything that has happened this season from the start when Durant left Westbrook in Oklahoma City, to the impressive play from James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and of course Lebron James, this year has all the odds against Westbrook. But, if you look at the Thunder as a whole, the squad that Billy Donovan is coaching isn’t a group of mid-major collegiate players either. The Thunder have notable players like Victor Oladipo, Steven Adam, Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and Taj Gibson. The Thunder also have above average role players Norris Cole, Andre Roberson, and Domantas Sabonis.

However, with that said, this team would be the Phoenix Suns without Westbrook. Disregarding the triple double stats, Westbrook leads the league in total field goals made (738), total points (2,294), player efficiency rating (30.4), assist percentage (56.7) and value over replacement (10.7). I would compare this season that Westbrook is having to the MVP season of Derrick Rose in 2010. The impact that Rose had to the Bulls was irreplaceable and that same thing can be said about Westbrook this year with the Thunder. In both cases each player had a competing MVP candidate that was just as qualified (James in 2010 and Harden now). Lebron James’ stats in 2010 were 26.7 points per games, 7.5 rebounds, and 7 assists to Roses’ 25 points per, 4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The difference that season was that Chicago had the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference.

This year James Harden is averaging 29.4 points per (2nd in the NBA), 8 rebounds (23rd in the NBA), and 11.3 assists (1st in the NBA). However, Harden also leads the NBA in turnovers (422) with Westbrook following suit in second with 391 which is overwhelmingly more than John Wall who is third with 294. The NBA lead for turnovers in a season is now tied between George McGinnis (1974-75) and now James Harden with 422.

Harden has propelled his team to the 3rd seed in the Western Conference while Westbrook and the Thunder are the 6th seed and might not win over 50 games. The playoff seeding is the only thing that Harden has over Westbrook and that is why I think Westbrook should be the MVP of the league in 2016-17. This award is called the “Most Valuable Player” but in the NBA, the award has gone to the player with the best season for the past 5-10 years. By that logic the award will go to Westbrook will get the award. And, if you go by the name of the award and use Westbrooks’ league leading value over replacement of 10.7 games, the Thunder would be 32-41 which would be a half-game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans for the 11th spot in the West looking outside of the playoffs.
Sources:(nba.com, espn.com, basketballreference.com, nbcsports.com)

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