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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 5: Wall Wills The Wizards, McGee Is Still Good And The MVP Race In A Nutshell

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after making a three point field goal against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after making a three point field goal against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 16, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during the third quarter as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) defends in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Rockets-Thunder Is The MVP Debate In A Nutshell

No matter where you stand on the Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden for MVP, Game 2 of this first round series between the two leading candidates served as the perfect representation of the debate itself.

On one side, you had Russell Westbrook making history, dropping 51 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for the first 50-point triple-double in NBA playoff history…all in a loss to a superior team, receiving little help from the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder as he absolutely dominated the shot chart.

Russ went just 17-for-43 from the field and 2-for-11 from deep, taking a playoff record 18 shots in the fourth quarter but making just four of them.

On the other side, you have James Harden, whose 35 points, eight assists and four rebounds were impressive in their own right but didn’t stack up to Westbrook’s numbers.

Then you remember that they may have been more impactful since his team won the game and overcame a 15-point deficit, even if the Houston Rockets were able to make their comeback with a collective team effort and 43 bench points from Eric Gordon and Lou Williams alone.

Westbrook’s MVP advocates will argue that Game 2 showed his superior numbers and the lack of help around him make him deserving of MVP for a 47-win team. Harden supporters will argue Game 2 showed Westbrook’s triple-doubles and inefficiency gunning don’t always lead to wins, that he should’ve trusted his teammates more in the fourth, and that the Beard holding a 2-0 advantage matters.

For a regular season award, this playoff series has zero bearing on the MVP debate. But when the award-winner of one of the closest MVP races in NBA history is announced on June 26 (for God only knows what reason), one side will be vindicated, and one will be crushed, and Game 2 just made sure each side was more firmly entrenched in its position.