NBA Playoff Power Rankings: Is A Cavs, Warriors Rubber Match Inevitable?

Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball around Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball around Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

9. Oklahoma City Thunder

Opponent: Houston Rockets 

No Kevin Durant? No problem. Russell Westbrook has placed this entire team on his back and dragged them to the playoffs. Their roster is talented, but definitely flawed. There isn’t enough three-point shooting and at times it’s hard for this team to keep pace with other teams, especially when Westbrook is forced to give the ball up.

The Thunder may not win a championship this year, they may not even win their first round matchup against the Rockets, but the fact that this team is even this high on this list says a lot about Russell Westbrook.

And he’s probably going to win the NBA MVP award.