MVP RACE: IS A TRIPLE DOUBLE ENOUGH?

The All Star break is upon us and there's a two man race for Most Valuable Player. Russell Westbrook and James Harden have elevated their level of play in historic fashion this season. With the departure of Kevin Durant in the offseason, Westbrook has put the Oklahoma City Thunder on his back and taken flight. He's the first person since Oscar Robertson to be averaging a triple-double at this point in the season.

Westbrook is doing everything possible to keep the Thunder in the playoff picture. He's currently averaging 31.1ppg, 10.5rpg, and 10.1apg. Even with Durant leaving for the Warriors I couldn't imagine Westbrook would be chasing history the way he is. Injuries earlier in the season to Victor Oladipo and now Enes Kanter have left Westbrook playing with a bunch of C grade role players, and he's making the most of it. The Thunder are seventh in the Western Conference and will more than likely make the playoffs come April. Is averaging a triple double enough to win Westbrook the MVP race?

I don't think so. James Harden isn't averaging a triple-double, but he has not only elevated his play but the team success is following. Before the year started there weren't many people talking about the Rockets as a contender in the Western Conference. Mike D'Antoni became the new Head Coach and told the world that Harden would make the switch from shooting guard to point guard. At best, I imagined that the Rockets would be a fun team to watch on offense while fighting at the bottom of the West to make the playoffs. Right now the Rockets are third in the West and Harden is averaging 29.2ppg, 8.3rpg, and 11.3apg. He's the first player in NBA history to have multiple 50 point triple doubles in the same season. Also, he's joined Oscar Robertson as the only players to have five 40 point triple double games in the same season.

Both Harden and Westbrook are deserving of the MVP, but if I had to choose one it would definitely be Harden due to his team success along with his individual numbers. While I do believe that Westbrook does have enough in the tank to finish the season averaging a triple-double it won't be enough to get him the MVP award. It will be a tight race all the way until the end of the regular season, and as a basketball fan you can't help but to enjoy the history these two players are making.