Larry Bird on Russell Westbrook: "I hope he wins 10 MVPs in a row"

ESPN featured a great Q&A interview with Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird. The interview included several topics about the NBA in general, and among these topics, Russell Westbrook was involved.

When asked about Westbrook's accomplishments, Bird was impressed by how Westbrook had gone through several serious injuries yet still managed to be outstanding on the floor.

"Here's a young man that has had serious injuries, 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."

Bird also mentioned that that Westbrook reminds him of how he was taught to play basketball, to play the game to win.

Bird was asked who he would pick for this year's MVP award. Bird was rational in his answer, and said that he likes all of them. He also said that all of them could be special on any given night. However, in consideration of Westbrook, he's special:

"It's like every other year. 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."

Westbrook averages 27.5 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. He leads the game in points per game. Also, he's also ranked in the 4th place in assists per game and second in steals per game. He won the player of the month award in February averaging 31.2 points, 10.3 assists, and 9.1 rebounds and In march he has been averaging 31.9 points, 11.2 assists, and 9.7 rebounds per game.