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2017 NBA Awards show: Russell Westbrook wins NBA MVP

By Michael Curtis

Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) against the Houston Rockets in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) against the Houston Rockets in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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We can finally put the 2016-17 NBA season to rest: Russell Westbrook is the league’s Most Valuable Player.

One word to describe Russell Westbrook’s MVP season: historic. The announcement comes two months after the conclusion of the regular season, as part of TNT’s inaugural NBA Awards show.

The show, hosted by Drake, is also home to the announcements of Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Executive of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year awards.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s superstar point guard averaged a mind-boggling 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game as he became the first player since Oscar Robinson in the 1961-62 season to average a triple-double. He also broke Robinson’s single season triple-double record while becoming the NBA’s leading scorer for the 2nd straight year.

The highlight of Westbrook’s acceptance speech perhaps came when he began to thank his fans, agent and family for their support throughout his career.

Via ESPN:

"“Without you guys, I don’t know where I would be,” Westbrook said. “I can’t be standing here without your support, your sacrifice. Starting with my parents. You guys made sure that me and my brother had everything we wanted growing up.”"

Westbrook set an unbelievable tone in just the second game of the season in which he posted a video game-like stat line of 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the first 50 point triple-double since Kareem Abdul-Jabaar accomplished the feat in 1975.

Production of this magnitude shows how valuable Westbrook is to the Thunder. He scores most efficiently with his relentless drives to the basket. His rebounding is the best among point guards and he gets his teammates involved when needed.

Westbrook’s most memorable moment of the season was a game-winning three pointer that cemented a 50 point, 16 rebound, 10 assist triple-double against the Denver Nuggets.

When Kevin Durant left the Thunder in free agency last summer to join the Golden State Warriors, it gave Westbrook a red carpet to claim this award. He was offered the ultimate green light and took advantage of it, displaying his maximum potential. He carried the franchise all season, through the close wins, close losses and everything else in between.

Next: Twitter reacts to Russell Westbrook's first MVP award

This is Westbrook’s first MVP award and deservedly so. No one expected the Thunder to compete in the highly competitive western conference, let alone secure the sixth seed. Only time will tell if Westbrook can replicate a season as historic as this one.

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