Westbrook bags MVP award after historic season
NEW YORK: Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, who became only the second player in NBA history to average a triple double for an entire season, was named the NBA Most Valuable Player on Monday at the inaugural NBA Awards show.
Westbrook defeated fellow finalists James Harden of Houston and Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio to claim the season MVP award for the first time in ceremonies at New York.
The 28-year-old guard, who helped Team USA win a 2012 London Olympic gold, averaged a league-high 31.6 points plus 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists a game, matching Oscar Robertson’s 1962 tally with double digits in three statistical categories for a full season.
“To everybody in Oklahoma City who helped me go out every night and compete at a high level, I thank you for that,” said Westbrook, who invited teammates on stage with him.
“It was an amazing season for me but without these guys none of it would have been possible. This award is not for me. It’s for all of us.”
Westbrook thanked “all my fans all across the world who appreciate me” and cried as he thanked his wife and parents.
“I couldn’t do none of this without you guys,” he said. “I can’t say thank you enough.”
Westbrook also won awards for best style and from fans for the game winner of the year.
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks won the Most Improved Player award, beating out Gobert and Serbian forward Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Another Bucks standout, Milwaukee guard Malcolm Brogdon, won Rookie of the Year honors and thanked his teammates.
“They believe in me,” he said. “They have given me tremendous opportunity ... This is a testament to guys who get overlooked. You can always achieve your dreams if you have faith and you sacrifice.”
Cameroon center Joel Embiid and Croatia’s Dario Saric, both with Philadelphia, were losing finalists for the top newcomer award.