Chattanooga Times Free Press

Westbrook MVP

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Russell Westbrook has won the NBA’s MVP award after setting a record with 42 triple-doubles last season.

The Oklahoma City All-Star joined Oscar Robertson as the only players to average a triple-double for an entire season, leading the Thunder into the playoffs after Kevin Durant left for Golden State.

Westbrook beat out Houston’s James Harden and San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard for the league’s top honor.

He ended the two-year reign of Stephen Curry, who last season was the league’s first unanimous MVP.

It capped off the NBA Awards show on Monday night, which included stirring tributes to Monty Williams, Craig Sager and Bill Russell.

Draymond Green was named the Defensive Player of the Year, ending Kawhi Leonard’s two-year reign.

Green was rewarded for his do-everything role with the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He led the league in steals and on Feb. 10 had the league’s first triple-double ever that didn’t include points, finishing with 11 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 assists.

Leonard was trying to be the first to win three in a row since Dwight Howard. Utah’s Rudy Gobert was the other finalist during Monday night’s NBA Awards show.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets were double winners at the NBA Awards show.

Giannis Antetokoun­mpo won the Most Improved Player award, following Malcolm Brogdon’s victory for Rookie of the Year to open the show on Monday night.

Mike D’Antoni was then voted Coach of the Year, the second time he has won the award. He led the Rockets to 55 victories and a league record for 3-pointers this season.

D’Antoni, who also won the award while coaching Phoenix, followed Rockets guard Eric Gordon’s win for Sixth Man of the Year.

Bill Russell received the first Lifetime Achievemen­t award, responding with some trash talk and then praise for the big men who honored him.

Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo were on stage Monday night at the NBA Awards show to present the honor to Russell, who won 11 championsh­ips.

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