Larry Bird hopes Russell Westbrook ‘wins 10 MVPs in a row’
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said he likes Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook’s aggressive demeanor and hopes “he wins 10 MVPs in a row,” ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo reports.
Since the beginning of February, Westbrook has averaged 31.3 points, 10.7 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals. On the season, he leads the league in scoring at 27.5 points and triple-doubles with nine.
Bird, who won three straight MVPs during his playing career with the Celtics, didn’t directly say Westbrook should win the MVP award this season, but said he enjoys watching him play.
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ESPN.com: Russell Westbrook has been averaging nearly 30 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds per game for over a month now. You've put together similar stretches during your career. What do you think of what he's been able to accomplish?
Larry Bird: Here's a young man that has had serious injuries -- bad knee injuries throughout his career -- yet every time he walks on the court, you know you're going to get 100 percent from him. He attacks, he's fearless and he plays the way it should be played, so I'm all for him. I hope he wins 10 MVPs in a row. I just love players that compete on a nightly basis and really take the challenge to their opponents.
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Despite his eye-popping stats, Westbrook is no lock for the award because he missed 14 games early in the season and the Thunder are only the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. With Kevin Durant limited to just 27 games this season, however, Westbrook has played a starring role for Oklahoma City.
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, Rockets shooting guard James Harden, Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis and Cavaliers small forward LeBron James are the other leading candidates for MVP.
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- Paul Palladino
