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Russell Westbrook Deserves MVP Consideration

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By @AnthonyIrwinNBA

Oklahoma City Thunder v San Antonio Spurs

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Russell Westbrook has been a favorite target for many an NBA fan in his career. When the Oklahoma City Thunder win, it’s because Kevin Durant is amazing. When they lose, Westbrook must have shot too much. That analysis is shallow, easy and might finally have gone away this season.

When Durant and Westbrook went down, “experts” thought the Thunder might go into tank mode, to potentially bring another young talent to their current embarrassment of riches. Westbrook came back earlier than expected, and the Thunder have rallied well enough to earn a playoff spot, should they start today.

Durant also returned from his injury much sooner than most expected but then sprained his ankle and sat the past few games – including today’s Christmas Western Conference Finals rematch against the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs. While Westbrook struggled with his shot, he found other ways to help his team enough to take a lead into halftime. Granted, the Spurs are still playing without Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but are a supremely talented team nonetheless.

The league is teeming with potential MVP candidates, with guys like that James Harden, Stephen Curry and Marc Gasol deserving consideration. I just can’t think of a player who does so much for his team under so much scrutiny. That has to figure in somehow. Westbrook’s physical talents make him an easy target for critics, but much of said criticism lacks nuance (shocker). Without his early return and incredible level of play, the Thunder may have faced the lottery and prospect of watching Durant ring in offers from teams quick to point out how little help his organization has brought him.

Instead, the Thunder are competing with last year’s champs and look poised to figure into any conversation pertaining to favorites for this year’s June classic. You’re the real MVP, Russ.

Anthony F. Irwin is an NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football contributor for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Send him an email at .

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