National Basketball Association

NBA MVP Ladder: Russell Westbrook Is In Video Game Mode

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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As the NBA season has fully kicked into gear, the first look at the MVP Ladder is here. Who is going to take home the hardware?

On the first of every month, a new and updated MVP Ladder will be released as we continue to watch for the player who takes home the coveted Maurice Podoloff trophy at the end of the season.

The Most Valuable Player award is prestigious award that ultimately determines the best player from the NBA regular season. There are countless variables that go into winning the award, but the two main variables are winning and individual performance. While there are many cases for many different players, the biggest factor taken into consideration is winning.

Since 1988, no NBA MVP has belonged to a team outside of the top two teams, in wins, in his respective conference. As much as winning is looked at, individual performance plays a large role as well.

The MVP Ladder is a snapshot of the NBA season, in other words, if the season ended today this is how the players would rank in the MVP race.

With that being said, let’s get to it.

Honorable Mentions:

Jimmy Butler – Chicago Bulls

Stats: 20.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.0 blocks

Record: 3-0

The Chicago Bulls have started 3-0 led by Jimmy Butler, one of the best two-way players in the game today. While Butler is the clear leader of the team with an aged Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo as his supporting cast, the ball is still shared pretty equally between the three.

DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings

Stats: 26.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks.

Record: 2-3

There are finally signs of life in Sacramento, and DeMarcus Cousins is leading the charge. Although he has gotten off to a shaky start with a couple of games in which he has been in foul trouble, his numbers should only go up as time goes on. Is this the year for the Kings? Can Cousins carry them to the postseason?

Anthony Davis – New Orleans Pelicans

Stats: 37.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.0 steals, 3.0 blocks.

Record: 0-4

What is holding Anthony Davis back is winning. With Anthony Davis playing, the Pelicans are 0-4, without him they would also be 0-4. It is early in the season and he will likely rise into the top 10 in no time. Winning is the only part of the equation missing from his MVP formula.

10 – Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers

Stats: 22.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals , 0.7 blocks

Record: 3-0

Blake Griffin has been brilliant thus far this season. While it is still early on – the Clippers have only played three games through the first week – Griffin is the key to success for the Clippers.

Griffin has shown expansion to his game by adding an outside jumper – he’s actually shooting 40 percent on 3’s this season, albeit in only five attempts – if he can perfect that, he could be even more dangerous.

Griffin’s biggest concern has always been health, but if he can stay relatively healthy and continue to play efficiently, don’t be surprised if he makes his way into the top 5 in the MVP Ladder.

Oct 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. The Hawks won 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

9 – Paul Millsap – Atlanta Hawks

Stats: 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks

Record: 3-0

With the departures of Jeff Teague and Al Horford, Paul Millsap has stepped into the spotlight as the face of the Atlanta Hawks – even though a bit of the pressure is off thanks to hometown hero Dwight Howard.

Nevertheless, while doing so, Millsap has led his team to a 3-0 start. Millsap is shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc, and is one of the best stretch forwards in the game.

As the new-look Hawks continue their climb, and they’ve looked really good through three games, Millsap’s numbers should follow suit.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) tries to pass the ball while falling to the floor during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

8- Isaiah Thomas – Boston Celtics

Stats: 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.0 blocks

Record: 2-1

The shortest player in the NBA is having a huge impact on his Boston Celtics so far this season. Every year Isaiah Thomas has played in Boston, his scoring output has gone up.

Entering year three, Thomas is averaging what would be a new career-high in points, assists and rebounds, should he keep his production up. Which is actually a bit of a surprise considering the addition of Al Horford this summer – you would’ve thought some of his statistics would see a downtick. Instead, the opposite has happened.

As Thomas continues to find his groove, the Celtics should remain among the top teams in the East.

Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

7- DeMar DeRozan – Toronto Raptors

Stats: 35.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.0 blocks

Record: 3-0

DeMar DeRozan has seemingly brought his game up another notch this year. DeRozan is scoring 35 points per game (yes, insane) while shooting 53.8 percent from the field.

DeRozan has only attempted 4 three-point shots (clearly, the weakest part of his game) this season, meaning he is getting to the basket a lot. Which is exactly what the Raptors want DeRozan to do.

If DeRozan can stick to his strengths and not get caught up in taking outside jumpers, he and the Raptors have a bright year ahead of them.

Oct 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) brings the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

6- James Harden – Houston Rockets

Stats: 32.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 11.8 assists

Record: 2-2

With a new role in Houston, largely predicated by their new head coach (Mike D’Antoni), James Harden is off to a brilliant start to the new season.

In the first game of the year, Harden put up 17 assists (career-high) against the Lakers. His biggest downside is turning the ball over. Through three games, he is averaging 6.3 turnovers per game. As the new starting point guard, he must take care of the ball.

With one of the highest powered offenses in the NBA, his scoring and assists numbers should remain, but the turnovers must change.

Oct 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson (33) in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

5- Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers

Stats: 34.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists

Record: 2-2

Damian Lillard has put on a show for the Portland Trail Blazers in all three games this season. Even more impressive, he’s done so while being one of the most efficient players in the league.

Shooting 54.9 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from beyond the arc and 90.5 percent from the free throw line is not easy, yet Lillard is making it seem that way.

While it is early in the season, his numbers will more than likely see a slight drop as the sample size gets larger. Lillard is in prime position to lead his Blazers to a top 4 or 5 finish in the watered-down Western Conference.

Oct 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a score against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 122-114. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

4- Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors

Stats: 28.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 steals

Record: 3-1

The Golden State Warriors are still trying to get their feet under them – and every new face acclimated – for the season-long trek.

As the Warriors will get every opposing team’s best effort night in and night out, Kevin Durant should continue to put up incredible numbers. As the smoke clears, Durant is looking like the 2014 MVP again.

While Durant continues to prove the naysayers wrong, watch out for him and the Warriors as they will attempt to take Western Conference by storm.

Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

3- LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers

Stats: 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists

Record: 4-0

While it seems like LeBron James always has a case to be made for the NBA MVP award, this year should be of no difference.

James is a freak of nature who has shown glimpses of unbelievable athleticism, even at the ripe age of 31, which keeps everyone guessing how much more he has in the tank.

Nearly averaging a triple-double and leading his team to a 4-0 start, a start that the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had since the 2000-01 season, James is still the best player in the game, and he will remain in the discussion for MVP all year-long.

Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets small forward Corey Brewer (33) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

2- Kawhi Leonard

Stats: 28.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.0 steals

Record: 4-1

Kawhi Leonard is not only looking to add a three-peat as the Defensive Player of the Year award, but also hunting his first NBA MVP award.

Leonard has led what appears to be the best team in the NBA, in the San Antonio Spurs, to a solid 4-1 start. Leonard’s rebounding numbers are down significantly, but, as the season goes on they should be on the rise.

As one of the best all-around and complete players in the league, Kawhi Leonard should drop no lower than 5th in the MVP race all season long.

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

1- Russell Westbrook

Stats: 38.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.0 blocks

Record: 3-0

Russell Westbrook is proving that he doesn’t need former teammate Kevin Durant to win, and he is doing so with jaw-dropping numbers.

Last Friday, against the Phoenix Suns, Westbrook posted 51 points complete with a triple-double, a stat line of that sort has not been seen in the NBA since the 1970’s.

Westbrook is putting up video game numbers so far this season, and as he continues to do so, it will be hard to dethrone him as the MVP favorite. Question is, will his team continue to win enough games in order to finish the year as the league MVP?