As first predicted by Last Word on Sports on April 28th, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry will be awarded the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. Monte Poole of CSNBayArea.com reported that multiple league sources confirmed the award to Curry and that the official announcement will come this week, likely on Monday.
Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry is 2015 NBA MVP
The 27-year-old Curry scored a game-high 22 points in the Warriors victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday in the opening game of the stone round playoff matchup. Curry will become the first Warrior to win the MVP honor in the franchise’s 53-year California history.
The runner-up in the award is reportedly Houston Rockets’ James Harden. Other players likely considered were four-time MVP LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul.
Traditionally, the MVP trophy has been awarded to the best player on the best team. As noted by Howard Beck, the last 32 MVP’s have been on teams with at least 50 wins (or the equivalent in a shortened season). Curry’s Golden State Warriors’ team won the league-best 67 games.
Curry Led the League with a Record 276 3-Pointers
In his sixth season, Curry averaged 23.8 points per game (sixth in the league), 7.7 assists (sixth) and 2.04 steals (fourth). Curry also shot 44.3 percent from 3-point distance (fourth). Curry led the league with a record 276 3-pointers made this season and his 48.7 percent overall shooting percentage led all point guards.
In the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in which Curry broke his own 3-pointer record, he also scored 45 points and added ten assists. But, Curry was more than just a scorer this season. Curry was also a facilitator, a game-changer, a leader and a defensive presence.
