Sure, Russell Westbrook needed to campaign for this one a little, that doesn’t mean he didn’t earn it.
Westbrook recorded his eighth triple-double of the season Friday night, putting up 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 12 assists. Westbrook had eight points and four assists in the first quarter, but he took over in the fourth, scoring 15 and putting the game out of reach.
If you want to nitpick, Westbrook almost had a quadruple double because of his eight turnovers. But in the end he led the Thunder to another much-needed victory — with it they are tied with the Pelicans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Westbrook continues to keep his name at the forefront of the MVP race with performances like this as well. But what the Thunder need is Westbrook to help get them wins. Besides, if the Thunder don’t make the playoffs the MVP trophy is not going to be awarded in Oklahoma City again this year.