Who and what determines 'Most Valuable' in the NBA's MVP race?

The MVP race will likely come down to former teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

If Russell Westbrook is going to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, this year's voting will have to buck the tradition.

In what many consider a two-man race between Westbrook and Houston's James Harden, who square off Sunday (2:30 p.m., ABC), the discussion on value has taken center stage.

What determines most valuable? Is it Westbrook's ability to keep the Thunder in playoff position after losing Kevin Durant? Is it Westbrook's statistical milestones – his pursuit of a triple-double average and Oscar Robertson's single-season record for triple-doubles? Is it Harden elevating the Rockets from a .500 team to top 3 seed with his switch to point guard? Or is it being arguably the best all-around player in the game like LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard.

"There's no right or wrong with any of this quite honestly," Former Boston Globe columnist, Celtics beat writer, and longtime MVP voter Bob Ryan told The Oklahoman. "It's just a matter of degrees."