Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City, a move which made the Warriors' fans ecstatic, left Thunder fans devastated, and the rest of the NBA furious. With Durant's departure, people are saying the Thunder have no chance of going to the Finals. However, Russell Westbrook disagrees, and so do I. Here is why I believe Russell Westbrook is going to have the best season of his career and win the MVP award along the way.
1. Westbrook's Mentality
Russell Westbrook is known to be one of the most aggresive, reckless players in NBA history. Westbrook is one of the most competitive players of all time, and now, the fire has been ignited. With the pressure to prove that he can succeed without Durant, to prove that he is one of the best players in the NBA, and to prove that the Thunder are more than just a mediocre team, Westbrook will thrive. He will compete like he never has before, and that's scary.
Personally, I believe that Westbrook, who is already one of the fiercest players in the NBA, will play at a level he never has before, boosting him to an MVP caliber season. Westbrook will carry the Thunder with a mentality which will make him unstoppable.
2.Westbrook Is Now The Boss in OKC
Durant was always thought of by many as the leader of the Thunder, and the best player on the team. But now, Westbrook has the keys to the team. Every time the Thunder bring the ball down the court, it's going to Russell Westbrook. Having two scoring superstars on one team has it's drawbacks. You have to divide the possessions between the players, and nobody else gets nearly as many touches.
However, with Durant gone, Westbrook can take over. Westbrook is an underrated distributor, even though he averaged 10 assists a game. I believe that giving Westbrook the keys to the team will allow him to help the team flow better. He will definitely put up more points, and the other players on the Thunder will have increased roles.
Without Durant, Russell Westbrook has the potential to put up 40 points a game, and his insane scoring and potent leadership ability will allow him to ascend to another level this season.
3.Westbrook Has More Opportunity Than His Competition
Westbrook's competition for MVP is weaker than it was last year. Having Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green on the same team means that all of them get less possessions, and less opportunities to take over a game and show off their skills. Although Durant and Curry definitely have a chance at winning the MVP, I believe they have less of a chance because neither will have the freedom Westbrook will have to just take over.
LeBron James, who carries his team, is always a candidate for MVP. However, LeBron doesn't go off in the regular season like he does in the Finals. Now that he's getting up there in age, he has to save his energy for the NBA Finals. LeBron also lacks the freedom to just go off every game, which Westbrook has, due to the fact that he has to conserve his energy, and that he has a superstar teammate in Kyrie Irving.
Kawhi Leonard, an underrated candidate, is someone who may have a chance at winning the MVP over Westbrook. Kawhi is the next great Spur, and definitely will have another great season. However, Kawhi also has star teammates. Granted, they're getting older as well, but LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and Manu Ginobili will still get touches.
I believe that Westbrook's freedom to take over the team, his aggressive mentality, his role as the new leader, the chip on his shoulder, and the pressure on him will propel him to go off and thrive in Oklahoma City, and take home the MVP award.
1. Westbrook's Mentality
Russell Westbrook is known to be one of the most aggresive, reckless players in NBA history. Westbrook is one of the most competitive players of all time, and now, the fire has been ignited. With the pressure to prove that he can succeed without Durant, to prove that he is one of the best players in the NBA, and to prove that the Thunder are more than just a mediocre team, Westbrook will thrive. He will compete like he never has before, and that's scary.
Personally, I believe that Westbrook, who is already one of the fiercest players in the NBA, will play at a level he never has before, boosting him to an MVP caliber season. Westbrook will carry the Thunder with a mentality which will make him unstoppable.
2.Westbrook Is Now The Boss in OKC
Durant was always thought of by many as the leader of the Thunder, and the best player on the team. But now, Westbrook has the keys to the team. Every time the Thunder bring the ball down the court, it's going to Russell Westbrook. Having two scoring superstars on one team has it's drawbacks. You have to divide the possessions between the players, and nobody else gets nearly as many touches.
However, with Durant gone, Westbrook can take over. Westbrook is an underrated distributor, even though he averaged 10 assists a game. I believe that giving Westbrook the keys to the team will allow him to help the team flow better. He will definitely put up more points, and the other players on the Thunder will have increased roles.
Without Durant, Russell Westbrook has the potential to put up 40 points a game, and his insane scoring and potent leadership ability will allow him to ascend to another level this season.
3.Westbrook Has More Opportunity Than His Competition
Westbrook's competition for MVP is weaker than it was last year. Having Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green on the same team means that all of them get less possessions, and less opportunities to take over a game and show off their skills. Although Durant and Curry definitely have a chance at winning the MVP, I believe they have less of a chance because neither will have the freedom Westbrook will have to just take over.
LeBron James, who carries his team, is always a candidate for MVP. However, LeBron doesn't go off in the regular season like he does in the Finals. Now that he's getting up there in age, he has to save his energy for the NBA Finals. LeBron also lacks the freedom to just go off every game, which Westbrook has, due to the fact that he has to conserve his energy, and that he has a superstar teammate in Kyrie Irving.
Kawhi Leonard, an underrated candidate, is someone who may have a chance at winning the MVP over Westbrook. Kawhi is the next great Spur, and definitely will have another great season. However, Kawhi also has star teammates. Granted, they're getting older as well, but LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and Manu Ginobili will still get touches.
I believe that Westbrook's freedom to take over the team, his aggressive mentality, his role as the new leader, the chip on his shoulder, and the pressure on him will propel him to go off and thrive in Oklahoma City, and take home the MVP award.
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