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Russell Westbrook For MVP

Westbrook deserves the NBA MVP.

May 03, 2017

Keith Allison

After an extraordinary regular season, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Thunder was bumped in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Houston Rockets. Russell was only able to lead his team to one victory in the series. His stats, like in the regular season, were incredible. He managed to average a triple double with 37.4 points, 10.8 assists, and 11.8 rebounds per game. Even with these stats, Westbrook will be irrelevant in NBA until the NBA Awards Show rolls around in June. The show will finally answer THE question. Does Russell Westbrook’s incredible statistical season make him worthy of an MVP even if his team was bounced off the first round of the place?

The four top candidates are LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. These four players have shown that they are MVP material by being the leaders of their teams. Without them, their teams would not be anywhere as successful as they currently are.

Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James fall into the same category. Their teams finished second in their respective conferences. Statistically, they are superior to their teammates. LeBron James leads his team in both points and assists. Hence, he is the playmaker for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is either scoring the points or is making the passes that lead to points. Kawhi leads his team in points per game and continues to distinguish himself as one of the best defenders in the league. His defense and ability to score are huge reason why the Spurs have been successful this year.

LeBron James finishes third and Kawhi Leonard finishes fourth. They do not win the MVP because of their supporting casts. LeBron has Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and a strong bench. The Spurs follow suit. They have Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge in the post, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as veteran leaders, and strong 3-point shooting. The Cavaliers and Spurs are strong overall teams. The overall environments make stars like Kawhi and LeBron flourish with ease.

The story for James Harden and Russell Westbrook are different than that for LeBron and Kawhi. James Harden and the Rockets lost Dwight Howard to free agency. The Thunder lost Kevin Durant in the same way. Most teams that lose star players like Durant and Howard collapse the following season. The Thunder and Rockets did not. They both managed to surpass their expectations. Why? Because of their star players. James Harden is the league leader in assists and second in points per game. He is making his shots and making the right passes for his team to win. His team is not even missing Dwight Howard as they finished third in the tough Western Conference. Russell Westbrook lost the 2014 NBA MVP and decided to take advantage of it. He is the first player to average a triple double since Oscar Robertson. Before Kevin Durant left, the Thunder already lacked talent. They have Steven Adams and Taj Gibson who can be good at times, but the rest of the teams are simply role players. The Thunder finished seventh in the Western Conference and lost to the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

Russell Westbrook is the MVP

Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double and did not win the MVP because of Wilt Chamberlin and Bill Russell were just dominating the league in the 1970s. Their stats in points and rebound were just extraordinary and their teams were winning championships. Westbrook does not have a team. He literally carried the Thunder through this season and into the playoffs. Russell almost had two 50-point games in the five games of the playoff series and average a triple double. Yet his team only managed to win one game in the series. He took a high quantity of shots and his shooting percentage was only .388 % from the field, but it was only because his team did not show up. They were missing free throws and key shots. Westbrook would go to the bench and his team would let leads slip away. Good teams do not do this. The Spurs, Rockets, and Cavaliers do not completely fall apart whenever their star players head to the bench. Russell Westbrook deserves the MVP and deserves a better team around him.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Russell Westbrook For MVP

Westbrook deserves the NBA MVP.

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No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

Please hold your blonde joke.

1. "Is Elle Woods your spirit animal?"

2. "Is that your natural hair color?"

3. "Oh wow, you get good grades at school?"

4. "You must really like the color pink!"

5. "You’re probably not into sports, right?"

6. "You must have such a bubbly personality."

7. "Your wardrobe must consist of all things preppy."

8. "What sorority are you in?"

9. "You were probably a cheerleader in high school."

10. "You look like you’re from L.A. because your hair is so light."

11. "You definitely like Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks!"

12. "Do you actually think blondes have more fun?"

13. "You must encompass the typical “white girl” stereotype."

14. "Is that daddy’s credit card you’re using?"

15. "So all of your friends are blonde too?"

16. "I’m surprised about you; I thought you would be a lot ditsier."

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1. When you get your acceptance letter

2. When you try to figure out how class enrollment works

3. When it’s move in day

4. When you arrive on campus and see all of the attractive people

5. FROG Week

6. When you find your squad

7. When you visit DHall (RIP) or EHall for the first time

8. When you take on way too many credits

9. When you go to your first party at JMU

10. When the rival school shows up for the homecoming game (or any game really)

11. Sunday Brunch

12. When you see the infamous “preacher” for the first time

13. The first snow day

14. Madipalooza

15. When finals week rolls around

16. When you have to say goodbye

17. And when you finally get to go back

Do you have a small get-together or throw a big bash?

1. Your family and friends ask what you want for your birthday, so you give them a list of options.

2. You're super excited about your birthday the week before.

3. Your family flies in town to celebrate with you.

4. Your siblings wake you up.

5. Your friends are so excited to be with you on your big day.

6. If you work, your office might throw a party for you.

7. For your actual party, you plan a small get-together with close family and friends ...

8. ... or large celebration with everyone you know.

9. You eat the best meal you've had in weeks.

10. You devour the first piece of cake proudly.

11. You embarrass yourself somehow.

12. You get the present you really wanted but thought no one would get you.

13. You are a little sad about getting older.

14. That feeling wears off and you realize how happy you are to have family and friends to celebrate this day with you.

15. The morning after your birthday looks something like this.

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