Oklahoma City Thunder: No Argument, Russell Westbrook Deserves 2015 MVP Award

Jeff SmithFeb 25, 2015

Russell Westbrook is different from most point guards in the NBA. This almost goes without saying after hearing Kobe Bryant talk about Westbrook with Bill Simmons on ESPN's The B.S. Report. Bryant, who will go down as one of the best to ever play the game, gave a rave review of the 26-year-old point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Anthony Slater from NewsOK.com broke down the conversation more in-depth, and what Bryant had to say was telling. Here is Bryant discussing if Westbrook reminds him most of himself:

"
In approach to the game: 100 percent. He’s aggressive and he’s unapologetic about it. At the same time, there are some other 2-guards around the league that have similar skills as far as shooting the long ball, post-up, mid-range. James Harden, Klay Thompson.
"

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Anytime Bryant compares someone to himself, it's kind of a big deal.

Westbrook's Dominance

It's more than just what Bryant had to say about the talented young point guard. It's about what Westbrook is able to do on the floor. He's more than just a point guard, he's a force.

The Thunder recently began a stretch without Kevin Durant, who will miss at least a week, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Durant had to get a screw replaced that was causing him pain in his surgically repaired right foot.

Over the first three games with Durant against the Charlotte Hornets, Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers, Westbrook has simply taken over games.

During that stretch, Westbrook has averaged 24.6 points, 12.3 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game. The Thunder are 3-0 and have won by an average of 15 points. To make those numbers even more impressive, Westbrook topped 28 minutes just once in those three games and posted a triple-double against the Pacers in 28 minutes of action.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

The MVP Argument for 2015

While some NBA fans will argue that Westbrook isn't as productive with Durant in the lineup, he's shown this year that he can put up big numbers regardless of the situation. After 43 games in the 2014-15 season, Westbrook has averaged 25.9 points, 8 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game.

When comparing Westbrook to the rest of the NBA, and specifically against the other point guards, it's hard to argue with his resume.

Ranking Among the Entire NBA

Points per game: No. 2
Assists per game: No. 5
Steals per game: No. 2
Total double-doubles: No. 19 (16)
Total triple-doubles: No. 1 (three)

Now, as far as how he stacks up specifically against other point guards in the NBA, this is where the numbers really jump off the page.

Ranking Among Point Guards

Points per game: No. 1
Assists per game: No. 5
Rebounds per game: No. 1
Steals per game: No. 2
Total double-doubles: No. 4
Total triple-doubles: No. 1

A Thunderous Turnaround

Heading into February of this season, the Thunder sat with a 23-24 record and had lost four of their previous five games.

Then the Westbrook show rolled into town.

The talented point guard has put the Thunder on his back. On February 2 against the Orlando Magic, Westbrook scored 24 points, dished out 14 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 104-97 victory. Since the beginning of the month, the Thunder have gone 9-1, with their lone loss coming by three points to the New Orleans Pelicans. In that game, Westbrook scored 48 points.

Overall, Westbrook has been a key part of the Thunder not only getting above the .500 mark, but climbing back into the playoff race in the brutal Western Conference. Currently, the Thunder are 32-25 and hold the eighth and final playoff spot.

Westbrook deserves a massive amount of the credit, as he's averaged 29.5 points, 10.1 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game during the Thunder's recent run in February.

While Carson Cunningham from KOCO-TV and Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe make the argument that Westbrook should be a candidate for MVP, I think it's far more than that. The Thunder's star point guard deserves to step out of the shadow of Durant and take home the 2015 MVP award.

Barring something unforeseen, I expect Westbrook to keep the Thunder trending upwards and for him to take home the award this season.