Former Thunder coach Brooks endorses Westbrook for MVP
The list of candidates who could realistically walk away with NBA MVP honors is the deepest it's been in years. So much so that Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Russell Westbrook could become just the second player ever to average a triple-double, and still not take home the honors for his efforts.
Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks worked with Westbrook manning the sidelines for eight seasons in Oklahoma City, and knows firsthand how talented he is, and the type of competitor he is.
Westbrook's incredible production, paired with a respectable final record for the Thunder, has Brooks feeling his former point guard has as strong a case as anyone to hoist the Maurice Podoloff trophy.
"You have to weigh (the overall record) a little bit into it, but it’s not like (the Thunder aren't) making the playoffs, like they’re not having a successful season," Brooks told USA Today's Sam Amick last week. "I mean they’ve got a lot of talent, and they’re going to win, probably, 50-something games (they’re on pace to win 46). And Russell is a big part of that. Fortunately for me, I got to see behind the scenes who Russell is, and if he doesn’t win it, he definitely has an MVP character, and like I said, it’s hard to argue a triple-double. That doesn’t happen often. (Averaging a triple-double), to me that qualifies to be an MVP. It’s hard to say no.
"What he’s doing, I’m in awe, like a lot of players and coaches and fans. He’s the only guy I’ve been around that can play back to back in the same game, and still have numbers in that same game, and energy in the tank. He has a motor like - I mean he’s phenomenal."
Oscar Robertson also averaged a triple-double, in 1961-62, as a member of the Cincinnati Royals, but he didn't win MVP, as that honor went to legendary Boston Celtics center Bill Russell.
Westbrook has 33 triple-doubles, and needs eight more over the Thunder's remaining 15 games to tie Robertson's single-season record of 41.
In 67 appearances, the 28-year-old is averaging 31.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.3 assists for the 38-29 Thunder.