Did Russell Westbrook Just Pull Ahead in the Race for MVP?

The audience at Wednesday night's game between the Thunder and Magic declared Russ the MVP. But the Complex staff isn't so sure.

By now you've heard about Russell Westbrook's record-breaking night. For the second week in a row, he made NBA history, this time by nabbing the highest-scoring triple-double ever. 

As he lifted the Thunder to victory over the Magic in overtime, 114–106, the crowd bursted into chants of "MVP! MVP!" So we know he has the popular vote—we also know that doesn't always matter.

Before Complex launches its thorough investigation into all of this season's MVP frontrunners, we had to take a moment to ask ourselves, "Did Russell Westbrook's amazing night seal the deal?"

Let the debate begin.

Some of us have a difficult relationship with Russell Westbrook. While we enjoy his nightly assault on the box score, putting up the kind of statistical season we haven’t seen since 1962, we can’t help but wonder what’s the big deal? Or, probably more accurately, why aren’t we fawning over the seasons the other (more worthy) MVP candidates are having?

Well, we know why. Because they’re not doing it as ridiculously or dramatically as Westbrook is, and Wednesday’s signature performance was further evidence that Russ is a different species. Pouring in 57 points along with 13 boards and 11 assists, he single-handedly led OKC to an overtime victory over the Magic. Yes, it was historic. Yes, it was astonishing. Yes, it was quintessential Brodie. But to say that performance put the cherry on top of his MVP sundae, well, I'm not willing to go there.

There are two weeks left in the season. The Thunder continue to hover around the bottom half of Western Conference playoff teams and probably won’t get to 50 wins, the mythical, magical number when it comes to MVP cases. (Look it up.) There are others who have elevated their games, and more importantly their teams, to even higher levels than Westbrook. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy Russ doing Russ things down the stretch. Get the Thunder to 50 and then we can talk.        —Adam Caparell

Are you a Fed? If you believe anybody else besides the Brodie is the MVP, you might be. Russell Westbrook is just four triple-doubles away from passing Oscar Robertson’s record 41 in a single season. And like the Big O in 1962, Russ may not win the MVP award.

His best bud and former teammate James Harden is the only player in history to score 2,000 points and assist on 2,000 more in a season, and his Rockets are the third seed in the West and are eight games better than the Thunder. Both of them have two 50-point triple-doubles this year, with Russ notching his second last night pouring in 57 against the Magic in thrilling fashion.

He sent the game into OT with a miracle three-pointer with seven seconds left to come back from Orlando’s 21-point second-half lead. This is the second game in a row where Westbrook led the Thunder to a come-from-behind victory. A couple days ago, he beat the Mavs, exploding in the game’s final three minutes to erase a 13-point deficit. 

This MVP race is going to come down to the wire, and Russ has made his case with his last two games. I know two games out of 82 shouldn’t hold much weight, but the Brodie has been doing this all season. —Angel Diaz

Russell Westbrook, who has spent the entire season doing things no one else has done, did it again last night—he put up 57 points while racking up yet another triple-double, the highest point total triple-double in NBA history. It was his 38th triple-double of the season, and barring complete meltdown, he will soon become just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. Oscar Robertson, who did it in 1961-62, didn't win MVP that year. And Westbrook won't win it this year either.

As spectacular as he's been, the trophy will still be presented to James Harden, whose averages of 29, 11, and 8 are nearly as absurd as Westbrook's, and whose Rockets are on pace to finish third in the West behind the Warriors and Spurs. Westbrook's nightly outings have been must-see TV, as he systematically destroys all defenses put in front of him. Harden, for his part, has managed to hack the NBA system—he's been fouled on THREES a ridiculous 100-plus times this season, which is more than any other TEAM. He's still the MVP. —Russ Bengston

The MVP award is given annually to the best performing player of the regular season.

The best performing player, as detailed above, is Russell Westbrook.

Brodie is the MVP. And 2+2=4. —Driadonna Roland

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