Russell Westbrook is the real MVP

This year's NBA season has been filled with numerous players performing at an MVP level, more than any in recent memory. LeBron James has been...well...LeBron James. San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard has put together another quiet, yet masterful season.

Boston's Isiah Thomas and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo threw their respective names in the hat with breakout seasons worthy of consideration.

And James Harden's resume would earn him the coveted award in any season....except this one.

This year, OKC's Russell Westbrook is the league's unquestioned Most Valuable Player.

With eight assists last night in Phoenix, Westbrook became the first player in 55 years to average a triple double for the entire season.

While this is a remarkable feat in any era, Westbrook's triple double average is not mere semantics. We're not talking about 10 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists...he is currently leading the league in scoring with just over 31 points a game.

In addition, Westbrook's season averages were not the result of stat-stuffing in meaningless games. The Thunder are 32-9 when Russ notches a triple double, and 13-25 when he doesn't.

To put this in perspective, the Denver Nuggets are currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in with 38 wins...9th place in the Western Conference. Without Westbrook's heroics the Thunder could realistically be lottery-bound instead of the sixth seed.

Talk about value...

And speaking of the Thunder...quickly...name the other four players in their starting lineup....

Don't worry...I'll wait while you Google it....

OK...I digress...

Yes, even with the historic season put up by Westbrook this year James Harden can still feel slighted if he doesn't win the award after transforming himself from a shoot first...no defense playing Prima Donna into a well rounded all around player that shares the ball while still getting his.

Harden leads the league in assists (no...you did not misread that), and as a result his Rockets are legitimate threats to knock off the reigning two time Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors.

But as it relates to a mano y mano comparison with Westbrook I want to dispel a notion regarding the two...

Kevin Durant's departure from OKC last season put a spotlight on Westbrook as being an inefficient and selfish player, while Harden is widely considered one of the most efficient and deadliest shooters from behind the three point line.

Well...the numbers don't lie, and their shooting percentages to date are just about equal. Field goal percentage (Harden 44%, Westbrook 42%). Three point percentage (Harden 34%, Westbrook 34%).

All things being equal, Westbrook has amassed those numbers with inferior talent around him as it relates to Houston's roster, and when you add on the triple double season average it's a no-brainer.

With two games to play Westbrook is one triple double shy of breaking Oscar Robinson's record of 41 in a season, and given his tenacity and durability you should expect him to go for the all-time record....even with a playoff berth already secured.

Even if he doesn't eclipse the Big O, Russell Westbrook's overall body of work has earned him the right to be the league's Most Valuable Player this season.

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