Monday, Feb. 23
If I had to pick the MVP in the NBA right now I would go with a player who isn't even considered the best on his team: Russell Westbrook.
Certainly no player is having a better February than Westbrook, who per game this month is averaging 30.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 1.6 steals while shooting 49.4 percent from the field.
While Kevin Durant remains in-and-out of the lineup, Westbrook is producing at a monster pace moving the Thunder into the playoffs right now after a 3-12 start.
LeBron James, James Harden and Stephen Curry are all worthy candidates, too. So let's compare numbers.
Westbrook averages 26.1 points per game, second to Harden at 27.2. Westbrook averages eight assists a game, more than James, Harden and Curry. He is No. 2 in steals to Curry and averages 6.4 rebounds a game, more than James, Harden and Curry.
It takes more than pure statistics, though, to win NBA honors. Westbrook doesn't have the star power of the other three in large part because he's overshadowed by Durant. So I'd be surprised if Westbrook won the award unless he somehow is able to keep up his insane February statistics.
On the the handicapping front, I have a Triple Star NBA play going and a college basketball play today. I am 7-2 on my last nine Triple Stars, 14-6 on my last 20 college plays and 65-42-1 on my past 108 NBA plays. They can be found here along with packages, including my fast-expiring, discounted second half All-Access NBA package: /pregamepros/pro-bettor/bettor.aspx?id=7746#capper.
As always, no bad luck!