Russell Westbrook is having one of the greatest seasons the NBA has seen in more than 60 years. He’s one triple-double shy of setting the record for most in a single season. He’s six assists away from averaging a triple-double for a season, something only Oscar Robertson has done. And he’s a near lock to join Robertson and Tiny Archibald as the only players to average 30 points and 10 assists for a season.
It’s actually ridiculous what this man is doing.
Yet somehow, Westbrook’s MVP candidacy isn’t a foregone conclusion. There’s a guy over in Houston enjoying an equally fruitful season. There’s another guy down in San Antonio who’s led the Spurs to the West’s second-best record. There’s a walking goat over in Cleveland who somehow manages to stay in the MVP conversation every year.
And there’s a horde of MVP voters scrutinizing every little thing Westbrook does wrong instead of appreciating the things he does incredibly well.
Still, the outpour of public support for Westbrook to take home the trophy has been incredible. Players, coaches, owners, entertainers, and fans alike all agree: Westbrook is doing something we’ve never seen before.
NBA Players (Past and Present)
Oscar Robertson
"I think it's Westbrook. That's what I really think," Robertson told ESPN’s Andy Katz. "Because years ago it was tough to win an MVP because it was based on winning championships, and [Bill] Russell with the Celtics -- they dominated. But one year, Wilt [Chamberlain] averaged 50 points a game and 29 rebounds and me a triple-double, but Bill won because his team advanced and we did not.
"It's changed now. A lot of people understand what an MVP means. They understand basketball better than they did years ago."
Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph says Westbrook is the MVP in his book hands down.
— Alexis Morgan (@alexiskmorgan) April 6, 2017
Jason Terry
Jason Terry: 'No question' Westbrook is this year's MVP. https://t.co/9szqOwIcJA pic.twitter.com/Sv1Lo6sJHP
— theScore (@theScore) April 5, 2017
Damian Lillard says co-MVPs, but if he had to choose one, it would be Westbrook
“You get to a guy like Russ averaging 30 with a triple double and willing his team to the position they’re in now,” Lillard said via ESPN. “But if I had to say, I would agree with Kobe and say maybe co-MVPs between James and Russ.
“If I had to say one guy, I would have to go with Russ because that dude, you’re leaving it all out there every time. I think he deserves it.”
Allen Iverson when asked who he thinks should win MVP:
“Russ. When you’re doing something in this day and age, that we’ve never thought we would see ever again; as great as Kawhi is, as great as LeBron is, as great as James Harden is, as great as Isaiah is playing, what Russ is doing is incredible. You’ve got to take your hat off to him for what he’s doing. And taking nothing away from his team, when it comes to the word ‘superstar,’ he’s not playing with superstars. He’s playing with very talented players — he’s got a squad with him, I love his team — but him being the only superstar, and that team going as he goes, he have to recognize that. Get your popcorn before the game starts if your watching a Russell Westbrook.”
Shaquille O’Neal
In January on First Take
“I’m gonna have to go with Russell Westbrook. A lot of triple doubles. He’s doing it by himself. And believe it or not, he’s playing the right way,” O’Neal said. “A couple of years ago, everyone felt Russell’s a little too selfish. ... Now, he’s making great passes, making great plays, leading his team, and doing it by himself.”
In March on Inside the NBA:
.@SHAQ has a message for Westbrook's critics. pic.twitter.com/LQ2gaURRVw
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 30, 2017
Kobe Bryant says CO-MVPs
Westbrook or Harden. Harden or Westbrook.
— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2017
In the race for MVP, Kobe says why not both? pic.twitter.com/JWr4kJuYko
Reggie Miller bets a $5,000 charitable donation on Westbrook winning MVP
"If [Russell] Westbrook does not win the MVP, the NBA should fold." - Reggie Miller on @dpshow
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) April 3, 2017
Steven Adams and Enes Kanter
Lions and Tigers and Russ for MVP Oh My!! #MVP #MVP #MVP #hist0ry #thepeopleschamp pic.twitter.com/4aQUsZ62hn
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) March 20, 2017
Not the guy who probably can’t guard Westbrook
Pat Beverley on Harden, Westbrook, MVP: "I mean, I though it was all about wins from the beginning." #Rockets
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) March 27, 2017
Coaches
Wizards coach Scott Brooks aka the guy who used to coach Westbrook
While Wizards coach Scott Brooks raved about Russell Westbrook for MVP, he marveled about Spurs' Kawhi Leonard too https://t.co/ZICvUnwm1P pic.twitter.com/g1mWsVttQO
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 15, 2017
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson fell short of offering his MVP vote but said this
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson on the key to defending Russell Westbrook: "Pray"
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) March 13, 2017
Gregg Popovich hinted he would vote Kawhi Leonard as MVP, but called Westbrook “astounding”
News people
The host of American Ninja Warrior
Thunder are 32-9 when Westbrook has a triple double. His 41 is something that hasn't been done in 56 years. A shame if he doesn't win MVP.
— Kristine Leahy (@KristineLeahy) April 5, 2017
The guy who writes stuff at ESPN
"I think Westbrook is going to win" @ZachLowe_NBA on the MVP race
— Down to Dunk Podcast (@dtdpodcast) April 6, 2017
The guy who used to debate Stephen A. Smith
HOW CAN ANYONE VOTE FOR ANYONE BUT RUSSELL WESTBROOK FOR MVP???
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 6, 2017
I's say it again: RUSSELL WESTBROOK IS MVP! Just led furious rally at Orlando. Sent game to OT w bomb 3. Scored 57. ANOTHER tripdub. MVP!
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 30, 2017
Congrats to Russell Westbrook for tying Oscar's 41 trip-dubs in a season. Staggering achievement. Please tell Shannon that Russ is MVP.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 5, 2017
Hey, Mark Cuban, Westbrook sure looked like a star tonight with game-winning j and ANOTHER tripdub in Dallas. Heck, he looked like THE MVP.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 28, 2017
Westbrook again beats team OKC is chasing for 4 seed (Utah) with stunning late explosion and a 43-point triple-double. MVP! MVP! MVP!
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 1, 2017
The guy who hosts the NBA on TNT
"I'd pay to see that guy."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2017
Ernie Johnson shares his MVP pick on #TheSix: https://t.co/OMxXMkeyZN
Jason Whitlock
“[Russell Westbrook] is the most explosive player in the league.” —@WhitlockJason defends Westbrook's MVP case to @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/JQmh2pkIfa
— Speak For Yourself (@SFY) April 5, 2017
This guy who covers the Patriots
As you guys have probably noticed, I'm a bit of a basketball savant.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) March 15, 2017
Russell Westbrook should be MVP, and if you're nutty if you disagree.
Other cool guys
The co-founder of DraftKings
Our own @mattkalish weighs in with his take on the star-studded NBA MVP race - there's no debate - it's Westbrook: https://t.co/0rRjOn0eeq pic.twitter.com/5rOIohMhy1
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 22, 2017
This guy who plays college football and probably isn’t but could be related to Russ
Russ deserve the MVP!
— Dede Westbrook (@DedeTHEGreat11) April 1, 2017
This guy with 152,000 followers
It appears that that Russell Westbrook can flat out play the game of basketball #MVP
— Dane Swan (@swandane) April 6, 2017
If Nets fans had votes
Westbrook gets MVP chants... In Brooklyn?
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 15, 2017
More on The Sideline: https://t.co/tkVwkppuoC pic.twitter.com/6d2XRjqS9R
This guy who writes for SB Nation
.@_Zeets says Russell Westbrook is the only real NBA MVP choice. Case closed. https://t.co/ngDN3wGI7E
— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 30, 2017
Few, if any, of these guys actually hold an MVP vote this year, though. And even if the overwhelming majority of fans feel Westbrook should win the award this season, it’s out of their hands. Just like it’s out of Westbrook’s, regardless of whether he averages a triple-double or not.