Harden fans are the most unconvinced of Westbrook's MVP trophy.
Why is it that the Rockets' record is so much better, but the MVP trophy was given to Westbrook?
To be fair, Harden is indeed a little wronged, but only a little. There is no problem in giving the MVP trophy to Westbrook.
Let’s take a look at their data and team record first:
The Thunder are 47 wins and 35 losses, sixth in the Western Conference. Westbrook averaged 34.6 minutes per game, scoring 31.6 points, 10.4 assists, and 10.7 rebounds.
The Rockets have 55 wins and 27 losses, third in the Western Conference. Harden averaged 36.5 minutes per game, scoring 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds.
In terms of team record, the Rockets have the advantage, and in terms of personal data, Westbrook has the advantage.
Of course, the data difference between Harden and Westbrook is not much. The difference in scoring between the two is only more than two points per game, and the difference in rebounds is also more than two points. Harden is even better in assists.
In terms of data comparison, Westbrook's advantage is averaging a triple-double and leading the scoring team.
You know, although Harden's statistics are also very good, Westbrook averages a triple-double per game. What he broke is a record that has been dusted for more than 50 years!
In NBA history, no one has averaged a triple-double per game since "Big O" Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 season!
Almost everyone thought this record could never be broken, ever!
So Westbrook shocked the entire league after averaging a triple-double per game!
Even a brush requires skill!
There are many bad teams in the league, and the boss of the bad team has unlimited fire rights and can brush the data at will. How come no one has brushed this data for so many years?
So Westbrook is still awesome!
In addition, Westbrook is the scoring leader. Although his points per game are not much more than Harden, he is the scoring leader after all, so this title is still useful!
In a word, Westbrook's data is astonishing to everyone, but Harden's data is not so scary.
Of course, the reason for Rockets fans is that Harden leads the team with a better record, and the team's record will be considered more when selecting MVPs. This has always been an unspoken rule.
It is true that the NBA considers more factors than record when selecting MVP, but please remember, just more, not all!
When the data are similar, the record is definitely more important, but what if a data is very scary?
As mentioned before, although there is not much difference between Westbrook and Harden in terms of statistics, Westbrook has the upper hand in terms of shocking power.
As for the record, the Rockets are indeed better than the Thunder, but not by much, and not enough to offset the shock of Westbrook averaging a triple-double per game.
If the Rockets get a record like the Warriors, ranking first in the Western Conference and first in the league, with a record far better than the Thunder, then Harden will be more likely to be elected MVP than Westbrook.
If you don’t believe it, you can look at the data of Durant and Curry:
The Warriors have the best record in the league and the Western Conference, with 67 wins and 15 losses. Curry has 25.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. Durant has 25.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 8.3 rebounds.
Indeed, the statistics of Curry and Durant are indeed worse than those of Westbrook and Harden, but they are not shabby. In previous years, without data monsters like Harden and Westbrook, with their excellent team records, the two
No matter who is elected MVP, there will be no problem.
Many people who were elected MVP in previous years are better than Curry. Durant's statistics are not much better. They are almost the same. Curry's efficiency is higher, but Durant is far superior to everyone. He is a top-notch existence, not like Westbrook, haha
Deng's statistics, which rely purely on the number of shots and a large number of ball possessions, are so inefficient.
The Rockets have won 8 more games than the Thunder, and the Warriors have won 12 more games than the Rockets!
If the Rockets have a better record than the Thunder, then do the Warriors have a much better record than the Rockets?
If only record is considered, does the MVP have to be chosen between Curry and Durant?
This is not the case!
When considering Curry, Durant and Harden, more consideration is given to personal data, so why can’t the same be done when comparing Harden and Westbrook?
In a word, the Rockets' record is not that amazing, but Westbrook's triple-double per game is astonishing, even more shocking than Harden's record!
Therefore, in terms of data, Westbrook is slightly ahead of Harden. There is no doubt and there is no favoritism.
In addition, one of Westbrook's advantages is topicality!
The NBA is a place that is good at creating topics and is happy to create topics. Topics are always more attractive and can attract more votes!
What's the situation with the Thunder?
The team regrettably lost in the playoffs. The star player left for the rival team, leaving no assets behind. Only a second player and a bunch of younger players were left. Most people believed that the Thunder would probably miss the playoffs.
What was the result?
The team successfully entered the playoffs, and Westbrook had the best performance of his career and averaged a triple-double per game, which shocked everyone. This is an inspirational and exciting story!
It is not an exaggeration to say that Westbrook counterattacked.
How about Rockets?
The team was swept by the Warriors in the playoffs last season. The Magic and Magic broke up in the offseason, Howard left for the Hawks, and Harden led the team to an outstanding record.
How about it?
Not bad, but that's all.
How did Durant leave, because he betrayed his good brother; how did Howard leave, because he was at odds with Harden, and he came here with all his heart, but now he has no choice but to leave.
Harden just proved that he is very strong, but what else?
If you can't cooperate with superstars, you can only fight alone?
That doesn’t seem like an exaggeration, right?
Can we at least retain such an explanation?
Westbrook is different. He not only proved that he is strong, but also proved that Durant was wrong!
You said we were just dogs and cats, but look now, without you, we still made it to the playoffs, and I still put up excellent statistics!
Did you drag me down or did I drag you down?
Harden drove away another star and then proved his greatness, while Westbrook proved his greatness after being abandoned by his elder brother. Which of the two is more admirable and shocking?
It's obviously the latter.
Therefore, Westbrook is more topical and can arouse the interest of viewers.
In the final analysis, the NBA is still a business league. What it cares about most is the audience, so topicality is a very important point.
In addition, Wei Shao's clear-cut character of love and hate is relatively more likable.
To sum up, whether it is based on the shocking personal data or the topicality of the player himself, the judges will be more inclined to vote for Westbrook.
Facts also prove this.
You must know that the NBA's selection of MVPs all gives votes to senior media and commentators. These people are very familiar with the NBA and have been around for many years. Even if it is to show their professionalism, they will not vote casually.
Of course, Harden and Wei Shao are very close in the MVP selection, and there is not much difference. This is a fact.
And if it is said that Harden was wronged, it is unnecessary.
