When it comes to the MVP debate, Suns coach Earl Watson thinks that the only thing standing between Russell Westbrook and the honor is a question of his personality.
Watson has been open about the fact that he looks at the Thunder star “like a little brother,” but he still believes that there’s no room for doubt or opinion when looking at who deserves the award the most, even despite the offensive efficiency of Houston Rockets point guard James Harden.
“We talk about just skill,” Watson said before Friday's 120-99 win over the Thunder. “This is not a popularity contest. We talk about skill and what he's done for the game. To me, it's not a question.”
On Friday night, Westbrook notched 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, earning himself a triple-double average on the season. Only Oscar Robertson has ever pulled off the same feat before. Westbrook now averages 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
The same night, Westbrook fell only two assists shy of a record-breaking 42nd triple-double on this season.
But Westbrook’s prolific production is tainted by his reputation for being hard to work with for the media, often dishing out curt answers to reporters. Watson, however, believes that the media can take on a role that forces Westbrook into this attitude, phrasing their questions to “get a certain reaction.”
Watson and Westbrook are both UCLA alumni, and they’ve known each other since the Thunder star was a college freshman. His main concern is whether Westbrook’s taciturn responses to the press could thwart his ability to win the MVP award, which is decided on by members of the media.
“Because he puts so much into it physically, he goes to a place mentally that a lot of people and a lot of players cannot understand,” said Watson, who was Westbrook's teammate during the superstar's rookie season. “He has to be that way to be as impactful as he is and do what he does, and he doesn't get enough time to come down. But if you let him come down and have a conversation with him, he is really special and will be with the biggest smile that ever exists. But unfortunately, the clips that are played in interviews are not that Russ.
“I just think he's the MVP. I think if reporters and fans and most of the media saw the other side, I think it would be without question. So I don't think it's his skill that's up for debate. I think it's how people perceive him, which is why we still have a debate, because to me, there's no debate.”
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