There's no doubt that Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook is on a tear, recording 10 nine triple-doubles this season. With the reigning MVP Kevin Durant out due to injury, Westbrook has stepped up to keep the injury-stricken team in the playoff race.
And many have taken noticed. One of those many? Hall of famer Larry Bird.
Speaking to ESPN.com, Bird had nothing but praised for Westbrook.
"Here's a young man that has had serious injuries," said Bird, who's now the president of the Indiana Pacers. "Bad knee injuries throughout his career -- yet every time he walks on the court, you know you're going to get 100 percent from him. He attacks, he's fearless and he plays the way it should be played, so I'm all for him. I hope he wins 10 MVPs in a row. I just love players that compete on a nightly basis and really take the challenge to their opponents."
It may sound like Bird cast a vote for Westbrook over the likes of Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but Bird stopped short of saying Westbrook should win. After all, he's a front-office executive now. Without a player in the race, he has to remain neutral.
"It's like every other year," Bird said of this year's MVP race. "There are always a lot of candidates. I like all of them. I like all of our great players. I really do. On any given night, one of them can be special. But like with Russell, he's been special for a month. But he's been special his whole career, too. The MVP, I think, just like the All-Star teams -- somebody's going to get left out. I don't follow it that close, but there's so many players you can choose from, and you couldn't go wrong with any of them."
Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists.
Follow me on Twitter: @sam_hyde
[H/T 24/7 Sports]
MORE FROM FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST:
• Ranking NFL quarterback salaries
• 21 Fun Facts about the NCAA tournament
• Highest paid player of each NBA team
• College football's highest paid coaches in 2014
• Highest paid player on every MLB roster
