After seeing his on-court partner-in-crime since 2008, Kevin Durant, leave their team for the Golden State Warriors, who ousted them in a thrilling best-of-seven Western Conference Finals last season, it signifies the start of the Russell Westbrook era and being the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s undisputed leader.

With this development, many basketball fans including the Las Vegas oddsmakers have made the 6-foot-3 point guard the favorite to win the 2016-2017 MVP award after showing his wares last season and leading the league in triple-doubles, Westbrook proved to everyone that he plays an all-around game and not a ball-hog many consider him to be. As of August 15, betting site Bovada has made him a +200 on winning the highest individual award the league has to offer:

2016-17 NBA MVP ODDS

Odds as of August 15 Bovada

With his unmatched intensity on the floor and highlight plays from last season, it is very hard to post an argument that he is not worthy to be the leading candidate to win the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Here's a look at his top plays from last year:

But aside from his strong showing and triple-doubles, the most intriguing reason why he will win his first MVP award is the motivation he should have because of Durant's departure from his team. The belief of him not ending it well with KD has grown bigger after seeing his reaction on videos such as this, as posted by SG Highlight Center:

Despite being the odds-on-favorite, the UCLA product will need a Herculian effort to bag the award. Some basketball experts think that due to recent history, he won't win it this coming season. The MVP award does not go to the best player, stats-wise, alone. Their team's record is a major part of the qualifications. The award goes to the top player of a team that ends up either first or second place in their conference.

Though retooled with the addition of Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie Domantas Sabonis, it is hard to imagine OKC ending up in the top two of the competitive Western Conference. In order to secure a top seed, they will need to win around 55-65 games, but with the likes of perennial contenders, San Antonio Spurs and the Warriors, Westbrook and company have a tough mountain to climb.

Bleacher Report's Howard Beck shares the same thoughts chiming in on the argument opposing Westbrook's individual success this season:

“Russell Westbrook's not winning MVP. Why? Because every MVP since 1982 has been a 50-win team and I don't see the Thunder getting to 50 wins. Now you can disagree with the premise and the precedent but it's there and I think it's real and I think it'll keep Westbrook from breaking through.”

Another roadblock the five-time All-Star needs to overcome is his history of injuries. Although he appeared in 80 games for OKC last year, the last time he played in all 82 of a season was back in 2012-2013. If he misses a bunch of games, he'll almost automatically not be eligible for the award.

There are also players who are primed to win it. There's three-time NBA champion LeBron James, who has been consistent year in and year out and who many think was robbed of another MVP last year, even with Stephen Curry‘s season for the ages. Speaking of the back-to-back winner, he is someone who cannot be counted out as well especially after losing in Game 7 of the Finals last June. It certainly gives him the drive to play at an even higher level.

But if there's someone considered a dark horse and yet with as equal a chance of bringing the award home, it's Kawhi Leonard. The San Diego State product's game is not as flashy as the other superstars but is just as effective. He's also a member of the Spurs which have loaded their team with seasoned veterans with playoff experience ready to contribute to Gregg Popovich‘s roster.

Make no mistake about it, Russell Westbrook is a tremendous athlete and one of the best players in the world today. Given that the Thunder are in the West which has other strong teams, it is still not entirely impossible for the former fourth overall pick of the 2008 draft to lead his squad atop of the standings. And with the league being unpredictable as ever, a trade or two may change the landscape of teams and may work out to RWB's advantage.