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NBA Awards Watch: Stephen Curry Is Going To Win MVP

By Gerald Bourguet

March 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring a basket against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring a basket against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Oklahoma City 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Russell Westbrook

63 games, 34.2 MPG, 27.5 PPG, 8.6 APG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG, .419/.293/.837 shooting, 28.7 PER

Last week: 3 (⇓1)

In typical Russell Westbrook fashion, even his MVP case is divisive. He missed some time early on, which hurts his case compared to guys like Harden and Curry, but he’s also been the most sensational individual player in the NBA in 2015. I mean, come on, the guy’s averaging a 30-10-9 stat line since the start of February.

The only problem is, the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t winning games anymore. Westbrook’s insane triple-double streak was eye-popping, but OKC dropped out of their playoff spot last night after a blowout loss against the San Antonio Spurs. With a New Orleans Pelicans victory over the Golden State Warriors, Anthony Davis and company moved into eighth in the West. OKC has lost four straight.

Like Davis, Westbrook can’t seriously be considered an MVP candidate if his team misses the postseason, even with OKC’s injury woes in mind. And even if Westbrook and the Thunder regroup and sneak into the postseason, Westbrook’s poor shooting percentages from the field and three-point range (not to mention his 4.4 turnovers per game) limit his candidacy.

Nobody has been more electrifying in the NBA over the last three months. But Harden and Curry have a major advantage considering the team success factor, with Curry being the best player on the league’s best team and Harden carrying the Rockets to the No. 2 seed in the West. Could Westbrook do the same in Harden’s position? I’m not convinced.

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