Soaring Down South
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Soaring Down South’s NBA Awards Roundtable

By Collin Huguley

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A fan holds a Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) MVP sign as the Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A fan holds a Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) MVP sign as the Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Most Valuable Player

Huguley’s pick: Russell Westbrook. This is a race that just can’t be over-analyzed. What Westbrook has done has been nothing short of breathtaking. Averaging a triple-double, while also winning the league’s scoring title, is extraordinary. The load he is asked to carry is among the heaviest ever and Westbrook has taken it in stride. He also played 81 games and was his same ruthless self every single night. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have been sensational. But Westbrook has shown us all something that we have never really seen before. And may never see again.

Snyder’s pick: Kawhi Leonard. Basketball is a two-way game. You have to play offense and defense. Leonard plays both at an elite level. He also led a Spurs team with no other All-Stars to a 60-win season. That’s incredible. Westbrook and Harden have had amazing, historic seasons. The value Leonard provides on defense trumps the offense-heavy contributions of Westbrook and Harden.

Bende’s pick: Russell Westbrook. Outside of averaging a triple-double and leading the league in usage rate, the Thunder are still a 6-seed in the West after losing Kevin Durant (the second best player on the planet).

O’Donnell’s pick: Russell Westbrook. In what has been one of the greatest MVP battles in recent memory between the Brodie, the Beard, the Claw and the King, there is not a wrong choice for the League’s Most Valuable Player. But when forced to make a decision, I have to go with Russell Westbrook. Yes, his team hasn’t won the same amount of games his competitors have, but when comparing talent around the players, he is the runt of the litter. His stat line is one of the greatest in NBA history (31.6 points, 10.4 assists and 10.7 rebounds) and one only Oscar Robertson can argue with. Yes, win shares and defensive prowess is very important. But when we look back on this season 30 years from now, we’re going to remember it as the year of Russell Westbrook and the illustrious season long triple double.

Robertson’s pick: Russell Westbrook. Looking past his historic season with an NBA record 42 triple-doubles for just a second, I truly think that the Thunder would be the worst team in the Western Conference without him. This is an MVP race for the ages, and I feel he will just barely nudge out Harden and take home the award because of how he has elevated his team and put an entire city on his back.

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