Storyline: In my opinion the foundation of the Most Valuable Player award starts with how valuable a player is to his team, first and foremost and, then, how head and shoulders he is above the rest of the league.
Let me start this article off by admitting my own flaws. I’m 42-years-old and believe that I grew up during a very pivotal and exciting time in American sports history. Michael Jordan had arrived in 1984 and he basically helped save the NBA.
Dr. J, Julius Erving, of the ABA’s New Jersey Nets (photo, Pinterest)
During the mid-80’s I can recall how many of the men in my immediate family agonized over the NBA and its slowed down style of play. They longed for the days of the fast-pace and exciting thrill of the ABA (American Basketball Association). Only the showtime Los Angeles Lakers and a handful of Western Conference teams played an uptempo style of basketball.
When the league started evolving–and many other teams started running more uptempo offenses–I was on board because I started to see the direction in which the league was headed.
Now fast forward to today’s NBA … and the slowly disappearing need for a traditional or “throwback” center. I get it. The game is being played above the rim more than in the past and the three-point shot can dictate a game like it never could before. I’m on board with that change, too.
Where I have a problem is the discussion about this season’s Most Valuable Player. OKC’s Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double in the first half of the season. That’s an astonishing feat–on any level, during any era, let alone in today’s game with so many more superstars canvassed across the league, perhaps like never before.
Here’s where my professional insight creeps into this discussion. I can’t help but point out the problems with this kid and his triple-doubles. His team’s success and his pile of triple-doubles don’t mirror each other.
The Thunders’ record and Westbrook’s shooting percentage tell another story. It says that he’s taking the majority of his team’s shots, but that he’s not making a large percentage of them.
USA Today
Some of you may try and argue about his lack of help on offense. If so, your claims will fall on my silent ears.
He’s surrounded by a supporting cast with guys cemented in their roles. Take Victor Oladipo, his starting shooting guard. Victor has a dependable shooting stroke, is an adequate defender, and is a great athlete overall. Prior to teaming up with Westbrook, Oladipo had a 16-points-per-game scoring average over the first few years in the league.
Another example is Steven Adams. Adams has transformed himself into a decent starting center who does his job. He rebounds, plays great post defense, and even chips in with double figures in points.
Westbrook, on the other hand, is basically the same player he was when he shared the spotlight with Kevin Durant–except now he doesn’t share shots.
Courtesy: YouTube
How is this M.V.P. material?
Through his first eight seasons in the league Westbrook had shot 43% from the field. By comparison, Magic Johnson shot 52% from the field during his first eight professional seasons.
See the difference?
Both play the point guard position, yet one shoots less and passes more. One has five championships and the other has NONE!
I use Magic Johnson as a comparison because, after Oscar Robertson, he was the last flashy, explosive, triple-double registering playmaker.
I remember a couple of seasons ago when Kevin Durant stated that “we need Russ to be aggressive and play his game in order for us to win.” Really? If my memory serves me correctly, the Thunder do not own any championships and Durant has since left for greener pastures.
In my opinion the foundation of the Most Valuable Player award starts with how valuable a player is to his team–first and foremost–and then, how head and shoulders he is above the rest of the league. That award isn’t given to the guy who records the most triple-doubles during a season, no matter how his team performs.
Courtesy: Pinterest.com
The Lakers overall records during the ’87, ’89, and ’90 seasons were 65-17, 57-25, and 63-19, respectively. Those were the years that Earvin “Magic” Johnson won three league M.V.P. awards. His team’s success was a reflection of his Herculean efforts on the court. He elevated his teammates. He empowered them.
Maybe my “old” soul won’t allow me to accept mediocrity. Maybe I’m blind to what else it is that everyone else seems to be seeing. Maybe winning ISN’T that important when discussing the M.V.P.
Maybe Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Steve Nash, and a bunch of others should return their trophies. After all, when it comes to the Most Valuable Player, winning isn’t everything.
Is it?
