NBA: Top 10 candidates for MVP in 2017-18

4. Russell Westbrook

Is it crazy to think Russell Westbrook can average a triple-double again in 2017-18? Because even with the additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, it’s hard to see where they’ll really steal from his production.

With two proven scorers flanking him, Russ obviously won’t average a league-leading 31.6 points per game again, but he’ll still be in the 22-28 points per game range. PG-13 and Melo are better passers than they’re given credit for, but Westbrook is still a safe bet to average double-digit assists since the offense will hinge on him setting up his high-scoring wings for easier looks.

His production on the boards might dip with George and Anthony entering the fold, but even then, Westbrook led the Thunder in rebounds last year, when the Oklahoma City Thunder ranked first the league in that category. In other words, having great rebounders around him hasn’t stopped Westbrook’s kamikaze dives to the rim for both offensive and defensive boards.

In any case, Westbrook’s MVP case doesn’t rely on duplicating his triple-double feat anyway. If he puts up remotely comparable numbers and remains the undisputed No. 1 for an improved OKC team, the reigning MVP could easily go back-to-back.

Westbrook’s insane numbers propelled him to MVP honors despite his team’s standing as the sixth-best team in the West. With PG-13 and Melo onboard, the Thunder could climb as high as the 2-seed or the 3-seed, and if they do, you can be guaranteed Russ will earn quite a few MVP votes — whether he pulls another Oscar Robertson or not.