A Basketball Season For The Ages

Before the NBA season started, there had been talk about the possibility of Russell Westbrook having an opportunity to have an MVP type of season. Kevin Durant had quit on the team and gone to Golden State, and Westbrook was left behind to lead a team that was filled with a bunch of role players.

Now, as the regular season is coming to a close, Westbrook is having one of the all-time greatest seasons in the history of the NBA. He is averaging a triple-double (double digits in points, rebounds and assists) and seems likely to continue that through the rest of the season. There is equally as likely a chance that he will break Oscar Robertson’s record for triple-doubles in a season that was set in 1962.

The numbers by Westbrook should be enough for him to be the MVP. He is clearly playing at a higher and more consistent level than anyone else in the NBA, including former Thunder draft pick James Harden. While Westbrook and Harden are first and second in points per game, Westbrook averages 2.7 more than “The Beard.” Harden is first in assists, averaging less than an assist a game more than Westbrook. Amazingly enough, Westbrook ranks 10^th in rebounds, averaging 2.5 more rebounds than the next closest guard.

The cases that have been made at various times this season for guys like Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, KD, and Isaiah Thomas have mostly gone away at this point. Leonard is the best defensive player in the group but he lacks the flash overall and he has the best coach. James is probably the best player, but this hasn’t felt like a very good year for him and especially his Cavs. KD has missed too much time (sound familiar, Thunder fans?) and Thomas just never seemed to have much backing for what has been a great season from a vastly undersized player. Plus, he has a reputation for being a defensive liability.

So, really, the only competition at this point is between Westbrook and Harden. So, let’s compare. Westbrook was a conference defensive player of the year in college. Harden has videos all over the place showing him giving no effort defensively. Westbrook has missed no games this season and the team wins at a much better percentage when he has a triple double. Harden has missed one game and the Rockets won on the road in that game.

This latter point brings us to a major area of contention that seems clear to me. Houston has better players around Harden. Eric Gordon won the three-point shooting contest this year. Lou Williams was leading the Lakers in scoring before being traded to the Rockets. Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, Ryan Anderson and Nene Hilario are all guys who have been considered better than their Thunder counterparts during their careers.

Throw in that Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni has a reputation for building stats and is probably going to be the coach of the year, and it seems obvious that Westbrook is outplaying Harden this season. Plus, when everyone thinks back on this season, they aren’t going to remember why Harden won. Russ is the choice. He is the only choice.