NBA Rumors: Is Russell Westbrook On His Way to MVP?

With Kevin Durant's nine-year stay with the Oklahoma City Thunders coming to a halt, Russell Westbrook has not just made the Thunders his own but also the whole league, averaging a triple double in just 22 games played in this young NBA season.

In 22 games played, Westbrook is averaging a mind boggling triple double of 31 points, 10.9 boards and 11.3 assists and if he continues the same performance throughout the season, he could duplicate what has not been done in more than 50 years when NBA legend Oscar Robertson finished the 1961-62 season with an average of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists. Also, he could be the second Thunder to win the Most Valuable Player honors after leading NBA.com's MVP race.

Just two days ago, Westbrook delivered his sixth consecutive triple double, his 11th this season, after dropping 32 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to anchor Oklahoma City into a 102-99 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The 'Brodie' is already more than a fourth finished if he wants to surpass Robertson's 41 triple doubles in one season. His sixth straight triple double also tied Robertson and 'His Airness' Michael Jordan's record of consecutive triple doubles, as reported by CBS Sports. He is only three triple doubles behind to tie Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine straight triple doubles.

Though with the loss of Durant, who has the highest win shares for Oklahoma City with 105.6, and Serge Ibaka, who is third in win shares in Thunder history with 47.6, Westbrook has thrived as the team's go-to guy, keeping the Thunders relevant in the tough Western Conference with a 14-8 record for sixth place.

Oklahoma City will face the Houston Rockets on Friday and Westbrook, who is at a four-day rest, will surely go head-to-head with fellow MVP candidate James Harden. The Rockets rank 21st in the NBA based on defensive efficiency and the former UCLA Bruin will try to keep his streak going and ruin Houston's defense.