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NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .455/.302/.812

Season Averages: 34.5 MPG, 23.6 PPG, 10.4 APG, 7.8 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.3 3PM

The Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the Top 5 players in the NBA. One could easily state that Kevin Durant is the better player of the two, but strictly discussing 2015-16, Russell Westbrook has been performing at the higher level.

One could make the case that, at this current juncture, no one is playing better than Westbrook. Exhibit A:

That’s insane.

Assuming his averages hold, Westbrook would be the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in NBA history. Steals were first recorded as an official statistic in 1973-74, but that’s still a sample size of more than 40 seasons.

Take the steals out of the equation and Westbrook would be the first to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.5 rebounds since Magic Johnson in 1988-89. Before Johnson, it hadn’t been done since Oscar Robertson in 1965-66.

Westbrook is being mentioned in the same breath as Hall of Famers known as Magic and The Big O. Enough said.

Next: Still No. 1