Paul George Proof Russell Westbrook Can Help James Harden Win MVP Again?

Paul George could serve as a proof that Russell Westbrook can help his new teammate James Harden win the MVP award once again.

Now that the Houston Rockets have old pals but new dynamic duo Westbrook and Harden, the next question is: how would the team perform? It can be remembered that Westbrook pulled himself out of Oklahoma City Thunder after George was successfully recruited by Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers. And although the Thunder suffered a devastating playoff loss in the hands of Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers, it was undeniable that George had his MVP season during that same year.

With that on the record, some are still convinced that Westbrook played a big role in George’s accomplishments last season.

While analysts and experts could make wrong assessments, numbers and stats will never lie. In fact, last season, George averaged a career-high 28 points per game to go along with another career-high 8.2 rebounds per game. These numbers have led the former Thunder star to MVP candidacy which was also a fact. But what apparently appears to be the most notable fact about George’s impressive stats with OKC is that he achieved all that with the help of Westbrook.

Although some might deny it, Westbrook really played well with George last season, specifically as a team player. Westbrook recorded his career-high in assists and rebounds per game with George, averaging 10.7 assists and 11.1 rebounds.

Looking at the numbers that both George and Westbrook have put up last season, it is easy to assume that Westbrook could also help Harden improve his stats. He could also even help him win the MVP award for the second time.

In a recent episode of ESPN’s “The Jump,” former Detroit Pistons and 90’s NBA star Grant Hill was also pleased with how Westbrook performed last season. According to Hill, Westbrook has proven that he can get along well with superstars.

Hill also stressed that Westbrook “allowed” George to have an MVP-like season in OKC. “[Westbrook] did a really good job of sort of allowing Paul George to emerge and have a spectacular, almost an MVP-like season,” Hill said.

Westbrook and Harden are expected to be familiar with each other’s styles. However, when the two used to play with each other several years ago, it was Kevin Durant who evidently played the role of the team leader.

As early as now, the pressure is already on Harden and Westbrook, especially because of George and Leonard being viewed as the best duo in the West. In addition, there’s a good chance that some fans are definitely expecting that Westbrook would be a key factor for Harden as he was with George.