The 2016-17 NBA MVP award came down to three players: Rockets guard James Harden, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, and Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard.
Each had their own case, Harden averaged career highs in points (29.1), rebounds (8.1), and assists (11.2). Westbrook set the single-season record for triple-doubles with 42. Leonard was by far the best player on a 61-21 Spurs team.
But the triple-double record was too much for the MVP voters to overlook, Westbrook was named the 2016-17 NBA MVP.
Westbrook, 28, averaged 31.