Russell Westbrook delivered an emotional speech after he was announced as the winner of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2016-17 season on Monday.
Westbrook, who had an amazing 42 triple-doubles during the regular season, thanked the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, his teammates, fans, media members and most of all, his family during his speech. He got especially emotional and teared up when he mentioned his parents for helping him to get where he is today.
“You guys did any and everything to make sure that me and my brother had anything we wanted,” Westbrook said of his parents. “I can’t say thank you enough, you guys sacrificed everything you’ve done in your life.”
The waterworks were in full effect as he moved on to thank his little brother, Raynard, for being his role model, adding that he’s the one who sent him a text during halftime of every single game since he entered the league in 2008.
“I truly look up to you, you’re an amazing blessing and I’m so happy to have you as my brother, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” Westbrook said before moving on to thank his wife, Nina.
At the beginning of his speech, Westbrook welcomed some of his teammates on stage behind him and thanked them for helping him to win the award.
“I’m very thankful to have you guys in my corner, you guys are my brothers for life,” Westbrook said.
There was good reason for Westbrook winning MVP, as he averaged a triple-double during the regular season with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
Westbrook won the award in one of the more tough MVP races in recent memory. Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Westbrook’s former teammate on the Thunder, was a close second for the award. He averaged 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game and guided the Rockets to the playoffs.
But the night belonged to Westbrook, who had his work cut out for him heading into the season with Kevin Durant leaving the Thunder in favor of the Golden State Warriors. Despite all the adversity, Westbrook delivered with one of the more remarkable seasons in NBA history.
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