Watch: Westbrook, Harden make NBA MVP cases ... for each other

Apparently it is in fact possible for two former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates to maintain some semblance of a friendship after one leaves the team.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden are at the forefront of Most Valuable Player conversations this season, and are expected to finish No. 1 and 2 in balloting (in whatever order) when it's all said and done.

During the Western Conference All-Stars' open practice Saturday afternoon, sideline reporter David Aldridge asked the two to make their case to win the award, but to do so for the other player.

"He's averaging a triple-double," Harden said of Westbrook. "There's only one person in the history of the league that ever did it. He's doing it every single night, on every aspect of the floor. We're watching his greatest right now."

"I think, when people see his numbers, they don't think much of it. But I think it's amazing to see someone average 25-plus points, 12-plus assists, eight rebounds. Team (Houston Rockets) is third in the West," said Westbrook, returning the kind words.