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NBA Award Watch: Draymond Green dominating defensively

By John Buhler

Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the NBA enters the holiday season, here are the front-runners for the six major individual awards in this week’s NBA Award Watch.

The NBA will have its most lavish day of holiday celebration with five marquee games on Christmas Day, including a mouth-watering matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

As we all prepare to hang out with our extended family for the second time in two months, let’s take a moment to look at the front-runners for the six major individual awards in the NBA with this week’s NBA Award Watch. Stats current as of Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Dec 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dances as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks away during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dances as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks away during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Player: Russell Westbrook

The NBA MVP race is starting to heat up. Through the first three weeks of December, the two favorites are Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook and Houston Rockets point/shooting guard James Harden. Anthony Davis is likely third favorite having put up some monster numbers for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Westbrook beats out Harden this week, as he continues to average a triple-double for a playoff team. Through 29 games, Westbrook is averaging 31.3 points, 10.8 assists and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Westbrook leads the NBA in PER (30.0), assist percentage (58.4 percent), usage (41.9 percent), Offensive Box Plus/Minus (9.8), Box Plus/Minus (14.0) and Value Over Replacement Player (4.1).

Davis plays for a bad Pelicans team, so despite his individual success, he won’t have a realistic shot at the MVP until his team at least approaches .500. Harden could very well win this award, as his Rockets don’t seem like they’re cooling off any time soon. But if Westbrook keeps up his current, triple-double pace, no one can stop him.

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