WASHINGTON (WUSA) — If Russell Westbrook grabs 16 rebounds tonight, he will become the first player in NBA history to average a triple double over two seasons, let alone consecutive ones.
Despite this, he is only projected to have a 2.7% chance of winning MVP for a second consecutive season.
The triple-double narrative was what drove him to the top in MVP votes last year.
His numbers are down a bit: 25.6 PPG, 10.1 APG, 9.9 RPG from 31.6 PPG, 10.4 APG, 10.7 RPG his MVP season.
But it is not a disparity that should completely throw him down the rankings, like it has.
The reason why he is not even in the conversation for MVP is people are bored of the triple-double gimmick.
MVP voters want a fresh story to get behind, and his sequel is not delivering like the original.
James Harden is vastly favored to win the MVP award this year because of the story it offers.
Granted, he is the leading scorer in the NBA with an impressive stat line of: 30.4 PPG, 8.8 APG, 5.4 RPG.
However, Lebron James is arguably more valuable to his team than James Harden and puts up statistics of equal impact.
His 27.7 PPG, 9.2 APG, and 8.7 RPG are dismissed by NBA broadcasters because it is James Harden’s turn.
His narrative is that he has come in second in MVP voting for two of the last three seasons.
NBA broadcasters will be thinking that James Harden is long overdue to win the award.
An argument could be made for Lebron James being MVP every year.
Especially when he has led a patchwork team of aging veterans, and undeveloped newcomers through a long term injury to their second leading scorer, health issues of their head coach, and a mid-season team reconstruction to a 50 win season.
There is no consistent indicator of winning MVP or not.
Just look at Steve Nash winning over Kobe Bryant in 2006.
Which player seems to add more value to his team?
The one with the stat line of: 18.8 PPG, 10.5 APG, 4.2 RPG.
Or: 35.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, 5 RPG.
If you picked the first then you agree with the NBA broadcasters of 2006.
The MVP award is in a perpetual identity crisis.
One year its awarded to the player with the best stats.
Another it is awarded to the player that puts a team of role players on his back.
And others it goes to the player that is simply recognized as the best.
The winner is picked on the whim of NBA broadcasters.
Perhaps players should be the ones choosing the MVP award winner again.
