Stephen Curry said he’d choose himself.
LeBron James reportedly wondered why he doesn’t get more consideration.
James Harden has a general manager campaigning on his behalf (to the bemusement of Steve Kerr).
But don’t try roping Russell Westbrook into the MVP discussion.
Royce Young of ESPN:
Russell Westbrook was asked pregame in Dallas some MVP questions. It went as well as you might assume: pic.twitter.com/wnhMSymVBb
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 16, 2015
That last answer is a gem.
Westbrook has soared with Kevin Durant sidelined, seemingly posting triple-doubles on a nightly basis.
But the Thunder point guard has already missed 15 games. If he plays the rest of the season and wins MVP, Westbrook would have played a lower percentage of games than any winner aside from Bill Walton in 1978.
It’s understandable why Westbrook’s priorities would lie elsewhere. Oklahoma City is just a half game ahead of the Pelicans and 2.5 games ahead of the Suns for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With Durant still out and Serge Ibaka also sidelined, Westbrook must do even more to keep the Thunder afloat – which should only strengthen his MVP case.