Russell Westbrook is among the most electrifying gamers within the historical past of the NBA. His tenacity on the courtroom was unmatched and was on full show again within the 2016-17 season, the place he was the most effective participant, successful the MVP award.
Again then, he was nonetheless with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, making an attempt to hold the workforce that was left to him by Kevin Durant. Previous to the season, Durant left Westbrook and Oklahoma Metropolis to win championships with the Golden State Warriors. This sparked a rivalry from the beginning between the 2 former teammates.
BREAKING: Kevin Durant will depart OKC for Golden State https://t.co/X0YA9hpp5k
Durant’s choice to depart the Thunder for a greener pasture sparked the final word model of Westbrook. Within the first sport, he hinted at what he may present as he began the season with 32 factors, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. After that, the second sport was much more thrilling.
The nine-time All-Star exploded for 51 factors, 13 rebounds, and ten assists, which began his league domination. Throughout the first month of the season, Westbrook averaged 31.2 factors, 10.5 rebounds, and 11.3 assists whereas capturing 42.6% from the sphere and 33.6% from three.
General, he capped off the season by successful the MVP award and averaged 31.6 factors, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, carrying the Thunder to the sixth seed within the playoffs.
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May there be one other MVP season like Russell Westbrook’s?
When Russell Westbrook received the MVP again within the 2016-17 season, followers had been shocked by how properly he did it. Earlier than his rampage, previous MVP winners did not rely closely on constantly specializing in the three main statistical classes. Westbrook was constructed in another way, which allowed him to be a singular winner.
These days, nearly each star within the league has the flexibility to get triple-doubles on a nightly foundation. Denver Nuggets star heart Nikola Jokic is a proficient massive man, which has given him possibilities in getting triple-doubles simply. Nevertheless, within the two seasons the place he received the MVP, he did not common a triple-double, however got here shut.
Thus, the MVP season that Westbrook had separates him from previous winners. He did not accept simply having a standard triple-double, he exceeded all expectations and went past what the workforce requested him for. Which is why he is a positive first-ballot Corridor of Famer.
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