When Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City last season to join the Warriors, most knew Russell Westbrook would take a step ahead in production this year. But you’d be lying if you said you thought he’d become the second player in league history to average a triple-double.
Westbrook was rewarded for his historic season on Monday night by being named the NBA’s MVP over finalists James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Westbrook had 42 triple-doubles this past season and led the league in scoring. His 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game were more than gaudy enough for voters to give him the honor for the first time in his career.
The race was no lock, though as Harden and Leonard both had seasons for the ages as well. Harden and his beard came pretty close to averaging a triple-double themselves this season, with 29.1 points, a league-high 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game. Leonard was the two-way force he’s come to be known as, and scored a career-high 25.5 points per game.
At the end of the day, however, it was Durant’s former teammate who was recognized as the most valuable the league had to offer. Though his team came up short in the playoffs against Harden’s Rockets, it was a season to remember for Westbrook, who now has something to show for it.
The 2017 @Kia NBA Most Valuable Player is…@russwest44 of the @okcthunder! #NBAAwards #KiaMVP pic.twitter.com/RExe2M8YnS
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2017