Warriors’ Steph Curry Wins Second Straight MVP Award

After a season in which he lead the NBA in scoring, shattered his own three point record, and made highlight reel plays on a nightly basis, Stephen Curry, will be named the NBA MVP for the second consecutive year, he is the first player to be named MVP unanimously.

Steph Curry Wins Second NBA MVP In Unanimous Vote

The Golden State Warriors’ point guard averaged 30.1 points per game to go along with 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds. playing a huge part in the Warriors’ record breaking 73-9 season that included a 24-0 start.  Curry’s exceptional shooting this season made him the newest member of the 50/40/90 club, shooting 50 percent overall, 45 percent on three pointers, and 91 percent on free throws.

Perhaps the most mind boggling stat of Curry’s season is the 402 three pointers made. Prior to this season the record for three pointers made in a season was 286, set by Curry last year.  That means no one had ever even made 300 threes in a season and Curry went out and made 402, shattering the record by 116.

Curry’s elite level of play throughout the season and the Warriors’ overall team success had many analysts crowning him the MVP as far back as January and February. Great seasons by the following players were essentially battling for second place since many felt Curry had the best chance to be the first unanimous MVP in NBA history:  LeBron James (25.3 PPG, 6.8 APG, 7.4 RPG), James Harden (29, 7.5, 6.1), Chris Paul (19.5, 10, 4.2), Kawhi Leonard (2016 Defensive Player of the Year, 21.2, 2.6, 6.8),  Kevin Durant (28.2, 5, 8.2) and Russell Westbrook (23.5, 10.4, 7.8).

James in 2013 and Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 both fell one vote shy of a unanimous MVP award.

Curry sprained his right MCL in his knee during Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets.  Some wondered whether his injury would open the door for a potential series upset by the Rockets or likely Semifinals opponent, Los Angeles Clippers.  The Rockets were a dysfunctional team and were eliminated in 5 games and Paul and Blake Griffin both went down with injuries and the Clippers were upset in the first round by the Portland Trailblazers.

After briefly playing in Game 4 of the Quarterfinals, Curry sat the until last night’s Game 4 of the Semis in Portland.  After a rough start, including a bad airball and 0-9 on threes, Curry caught fire during the final quarter and overtime.

After making two clutch threes towards the end of regulation, the MVP missed a potential game winning shot with a second left, forcing overtime.

In the five minute overtime period, Curry scored 17 points, including nine off of three pointers.  Thanks in large part to his historic and clutch performance, the Warriors won the game 132-125 and hold a commanding 3-1 series lead.  Trailblazers owner Paul Allen could only watch as Curry buried shot after shot, likely ending hopes of a potential upset.

Curry will accept the MVP award later today as the team travels back to Oakland for Game 5, which tips off tomorrow at 10:30.

Article by Nick Vigliotti