One Thousand and Eighty Six: Do You Deserve to Be Ranked First? (Thursday/Friday)

On the evening of December 26, ESPN officially announced the latest MVP ranking list.

The fans opened the rankings with great interest, but were surprised.

James and Link, who were thought to dominate this ranking, were actually only ranked third and second respectively!

The No. 1 spot in the MVP rankings was snatched away by Russell Westbrook.

Everyone was confused. How could Westbrook Heide sit on the head of Link and James? Is it because he has a tough head?

And ESPN's reason for ranking Westbrook at No. 1 is very simple.

Averaging a triple-double per game!

A few simple words are the reason why Westbrook is ranked first.

Westbrook's personal performance this season is indeed explosive. From the first day of the season, he has been constantly setting various records, which is quite similar to Link's momentum a few years ago.

Most of these records are related to triple-doubles.

In the opening game of this season, the "Turtles" scored an extremely exaggerated triple-double of 50 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

In a victory over the Lakers on October 31, Westbrook scored 33 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists. He scored a triple-double for the second consecutive game, making him the best player since "Magic" Johnson in the 1982-83 season. The first player to have two triple-doubles in the first three games of the new season.

At the same time, he also became the first player in NBA history to score more than 100 points and have more than 30 rebounds and assists in the first three games of the season.

After that, Westbrook's data was out of control. If he doesn't get a triple-double in a game, people will be surprised.

After playing like this until December, Westbrook came from behind and surpassed James to rank sixth on the NBA's historical triple-double list. Moreover, his data is also within the range of averaging a triple-double per game!

After entering December, the "Turtle" has no intention of restraining at all. He still achieved these triple-double data crazily, which shocked everyone's jaws.

Westbrook scored a total of 908 points, 305 rebounds and 312 assists in the first 29 games of the 16-17 season, becoming the first player in NBA history to score at least 900 points, 300 rebounds, 30 times and 0 assists in the first 29 games of the season. ,

Created a new NBA historical record!

Therefore, until now, Westbrook is still averaging a triple-double per game.

From ESPN's perspective, averaging a triple-double per game is quite incredible.

Averaging a double-double per game is incredible, let alone averaging a triple-double per game.

Prior to this, only "Big O" Oscar Robertson could do such a thing in NBA history!

But as we all know, in the era when "Big O" played, the league's rules and competitiveness were very different from today. Therefore, it is understandable that he averaged a triple-double per game. Moreover, it cannot be directly compared with current players.

But it is surprising that Westbrook averages a triple-double in today's league of strong players.

Although in terms of team record, the Thunder cannot compare to the top teams in the league such as the Grizzlies, Warriors and Cavaliers.

Although Westbrook averaged 5.7 turnovers per game and 13.8 irons per game, both ranked first in the league.

But with his incredible triple-double performance per game, ESPN still resolutely chose to put him first in the MVP rankings!

Link and James' performances are certainly outstanding, but Westbrook is making history!

As soon as the latest MVP ranking list came out, it caused huge controversy.

Although Westbrook's data is indeed explosive, he is suspected of deliberately brushing a triple-double.

First of all, the Thunder are basically Westbrook's team now, and all the ball rights are in his hands. Therefore, it is not difficult to reach double figures in assists.

What's more, this is on the basis of averaging nearly 6 turnovers per game! As long as you are ruthless, you can get ten assists!

Secondly, in terms of rebounds, no player on the entire team except Westbrook averages more than 8 rebounds per game.

The two centers, Adams and Kanter, averaged only 7.7 and 6.7 rebounds per game respectively.

This means that many times, it is his teammates who help Westbrook stay in position, and the "Turtle" only needs to collect the rebound without any technical content!

In Thunder games, people often see a scene where Adams is stuck in position, but does not take off the board, waiting for Westbrook to come in and get it.

For this reason, fans couldn't help but joke that the Thunder left Ibaka and got "one card and eight".

As for scoring, let alone that. Without Durant last season, Westbrook was completely liberated. Now, he doesn't have to share the ball with anyone and has nearly unlimited shots.

It's just a pain for Oladipo, who moved to the Thunder this season. He was originally a scorer with the ball, but in the Thunder, the ball is in Westbrook's hands, and he can only follow and run back most of the time.

Westbrook averages a triple-double per game. Some people think it is great, while others think it is worthless.

The data that is deliberately brushed out is just superficial, no matter how gorgeous it is. And his triple-double per game didn't really help his teammates.

Now Westbrook is already one of the most controversial stars in the league.

And after he was ranked No. 1 on the ESPN rankings, this controversy has intensified.

For a time, a round of "turtle slaughtering conference" was held across the Internet. Basketball fans all over the world are denouncing Westbrook, believing that he is not worthy of being number one in the MVP rankings.

Of course, there are also many fans who support Westbrook. When the record is not particularly bad and the data is so impressive, why can't it be ranked first?

Not to mention first place, just award the MVP trophy directly to Westbrook now, and they all agree with it!

Under this controversial voice, the popularity of James and Link actually declined.

Link is too lazy to join in the fun. After all, this is not the first time he has experienced Westbrook averaging a triple-double per game.

In the original history, Westbrook averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons, and Link was not surprised.

What's more, Link still has a lot of things of his own to be busy with, and he is too lazy to wade into this muddy water.

After winning the Christmas battle, Link started shopping frantically for everything related to babies.

Link cares more about Rachel and his children than Westbrook's controversy.

He and Rachel visited maternity and baby stores twice a day to prepare for the upcoming birth of their child.

Link actually didn't like children at all before. He thought they were too noisy and troublesome.

But now, when he is about to become a father, his mentality is completely different.

And whenever Link is at home, he will take on a large part of the housework. In short, I just don’t want Rachel to move around.

These days may be Rachel's happiest days. He feels that Link has really completed his transformation from a boy to a responsible man.

In addition to being a good family man, Link's performance on the court also continues to improve.

After the Christmas Day game, the Grizzlies defeated the Magic and Celtics in one go.

In the game against the Magic, Link's statistics were only 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, but the Grizzlies defeated their opponents by a huge margin.

Generally speaking, the easier the opponent is, the more mediocre Link's statistics will be.

Because he really didn't have the interest to go all out against opponents who didn't pose much of a threat.

In the game against the Celtics, Link immediately put up a strong triple-double of 28 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

There is no doubt that Link has not forgotten the game he lost to Isaiah Thomas before Christmas. So today, he played very seriously and did not give the Celtics another chance.

Link has always avenged himself, even if his opponent is only 1.75 meters tall.

At this point, the Grizzlies have regained a four-game winning streak since losing to the Celtics on December 20.

Currently, they have a record of 31 wins and 2 losses, far surpassing the Warriors' 27 wins and 5 losses, ranking first in the league!

Link didn't cause trouble this time. He just wanted to finish his game and continue to consolidate his ranking.

But as the top superstar in this league, trouble often comes to his door.

Soon, friction was inevitable between Link and the recently controversial Russell Westbrook.