Russell Westbrook named NBA Most Valuable Player after averaging triple-double
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player during the league's inaugural awards show on Monday.
Westbrook received 69 first-place votes from the media who cover to the league to finish ahead of Houston Rockets guard James Harden (22 first-place votes) and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (9 first-place votes).
Four-time winner LeBron James, who set career-highs this season in rebounds and assists, had the other first-place vote and finished fourth in the voting.
Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in the 1961–62 season to average a triple-double for an entire season.
Westbrook also broke Robertson's record for most triple-doubles in a single season with 42, as the Thunder had a record of 33-9 when he had a triple-double and 14-26 when he did not have one.
He led Oklahoma City to a 47–35 record and second place finish in the Northwest Division, after his teammate of eight seasons, Kevin Durant, left in free agency to join the Golden State Warriors.
Without Durant, Oklahoma City was eliminated in the first round by the Rockets in five games.
