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NBA Player Power Rankings: MVP Candidates Continue To Clash

By Maxwell Ogden

January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (11/12/1988)
Experience: 9th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .423/.324/.826
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 30.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 10.4 APG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.5 SPG, 2.0 3PM

Russell Westbrook was snubbed from the list of All-Star starters and the basketball community is up in arms. Despite being on pace to make NBA history, Westbrook was snubbed in favor of James Harden and Stephen Curry.

One could justify Harden, but having Curry starting over Westbrook is quite confusing—especially when one considers that No. 0 was the top pick by both players and media members.

Although he won’t be starting in the All-Star Game, Westbrook has emerged as a frontrunner for NBA MVP. He’s well on his way to becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double.

Westbrook has the Thunder on pace for between 46 and 47 wins, as well as a postseason appearance in the first season of the post-Durant era.

Oklahoma City is coming off of two blowout losses, which is why Westbrook has lost the No. 1 spot. He’s still as valid an MVP candidate as any, however, and his all-time production undoubtedly plays into that status.

Westbrook is close enough to winning NBA MVP that a slip to No. 3 is somewhat inconsequential. He remains elite and legitimate in his candidacy.