May The Real MVP Please Stand Up


        “You're the real MVP”….the world heard these words from Kevin Durant as he won his first league MVP while leading the league in scoring with an average of 32 points per game in 2014 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was clear that Kevin Durant was one of the best players in the world who made scoring the basketball look effortless; but what seemed to be in question about Kevin Durant was not his game but if him and his right hand man Russell Westbrook could co exist on the court. Westbrook since getting into the league was looked at as an explosive guard who’s shear athleticism and raw emotion on the basketball court set him apart; but he was also a guard who couldn't take care of the basketball while also at times seemed to be a ball hogging point guard. Nevertheless these two young stars were Oklahoma City’s future and from losing in the 2012 NBA Finals they had nothing but championships on their mind as they became a legitimate title contender in the war zone we call the Western Conference.
          As the 2015-2016 season ended the thunder had high championship aspirations as they finished 3rd in the West heading into the playoffs. From the first round till the Western Conference Finals Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant took quick care of the Dallas Mavericks, battled in six games with the San Antonio Spurs, and of course we all remember the series against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors , as both players seemed to finally figure out how to  properly dominate the game simultaneously. Russell was more than efficient as he put up double digit numbers in assists while scoring 25 plus in a majority of the games. The chemistry and efficient play was clear as they were up three games to one needing to deliver the kill shot against the defending champions who just had one of the best regular seasons to date. Sadly of course this duo relinquished 3 straight games as they lost the series and had everybody wondering what they just witnessed on their television screens. With that devastating loss Kevin Durant was left to make a career defining choice, leave his basketball brother in Russell Westbrook for a chance at greener pastures or stay and fight for what you believe should've been yours. Well as of right now we see how Kevin Durant likes his cupcakes.
         With the effortless scorer now off the team it left The Oklahoma City Thunder with a big question mark on their season. Where do they go from there ? Will they make the playoffs ? And more importantly what will Russell Westbrook do? With all of these questions surrounding the team as it's best player left for the enemy there was one answer…Russell Westbrook. He went from being someone's right hand man to THE MAN in Oklahoma City. He re-signed with the team long term and went out this season and literally put the whole team on his back. He took all the criticism, all the media hype good and bad, and simply left everything out on the court. Win or Lose, bad game or not Russell Westbrook gave whoever had the bad luck of guarding him the business. He went down swinging and got back up with even more relentlessness than before in the means of getting a W. 
         With all respects to James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who also had phenomenal seasons for their teams, Russell Westbrook had one of the best regular seasons anyone has seen in a very long time by averaging a triple double and also breaking Oscar Robertson’s record for triple doubles in a season with 42…yes 42 triple doubles. 31.6 points per game, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists with an array of game winners, posters, 50 point games, drama filled games, and one jaw dropping moment after next Russell brought his team to the playoffs as the 6th seed when people were already writing them off before the season started. He earned respect from all the greats and current players. He didn't change his game because it wasn't working, he kept working on his game to make himself better. From being a point guard who couldn't take care of the ball or properly involve his teammates with a suspect 3 point shot to a guard who now literally does everything for his basketball team. The engine that seems to never run out of gas. He has a mentality that few players can play with in this league and that's what separates him from most. Give that man his MVP because at the end of the day…if it's good, it's good. Congrats to the 2016-2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. 

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