All season, the fans and media have been set on who the MVP front-runners are. These players include Rockets’ G James Harden, Bucks’ F Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Thunder F Paul George. All three of these players have had fantastic seasons for their respective teams. One name, however, that’s been left out of the mix is Warriors’ G Steph Curry. Curry has been getting no shine due to the seasons the previously mentioned players have been having. What makes Steph Curry a top MVP candidate to me?
By The Numbers
After blooming to superstar status during the 2014-15 NBA season, Curry has been nothing short of remarkable this season. He’s currently averaging 27.8 points (third in NBA), 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. In this MVP-caliber season that Curry is having, it often goes unnoticed that he’s, in fact, having one of his best seasons to date.
His 27.8 PPG average is his most since the 2015-16 season. While on arguably the greatest team in NBA history, Curry has still found a way to distinguish himself from other star players in the league. On a team with five all-stars, every player must be expected to experience a decline in their numbers, right? Not Curry. Let’s dive deeper into the numbers.
Looking at the metrics of a player’s performance, there’s no question that Steph Curry is a top MVP candidate. Offensive Rating is a stat that measures how productive a player is towards producing opportunities for their offense. In terms of the NBA’s leaders, Steph Curry is number one with an offensive rating of 118.2. In other terms, Curry has been doing it all for the Warriors on the offensive side of the ball.
We all know him to be the greatest shooter in NBA history, but Curry has been doing much more than shooting the lights out from behind the arc. When the three balls aren’t working for him, he’s proven to be reliable as a playmaker instead. The eye-test will be discussed later on, but Curry’s play-making this season has been one of his most undermined attributes as a basketball player.
Team Impact
Winning is obviously a huge factor in the MVP conversation, and it’s clear that Curry fits the bill. The Warriors hold a 49-22 record which is tied for the best in the Western Conference and third-best in the NBA. Of course, the common answer to this is that Curry has three other all-stars on the team to pick up the load for him when he’s out. However, that’s not the case.
A strained left groin back in November took Curry out of action for 11 games. After starting the season 10-2, the Warriors would go only 5-6 in his absence. Although C DeMarcus Cousins wasn’t cleared at the time, a team with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green should be able to pick up the slack. But that’s where the term “Most Valuable” comes in. Even with all the great players on this Warriors team, Curry is the piece that ties it all together.
It can be disputed whether or not he or Kevin Durant is the best player on the team, but there’s no doubt that Curry certainly is the most valuable. James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Paul George have all had their presence missed when their absences have resulted in losses for the team. That’s the same for Curry and the Warriors. It shouldn’t go unnoted how valuable Curry is to the Warriors just because there are a few other all-stars on the team as well.
The Eye-Test
If we’re talking MVP and the eye-test, Curry is one of the best in the league to watch. As soon as the ball is tipped you can see how he cuts up defenses by being active all the time. He’s j
In regards to other MVP candidates, you know what to expect from Harden, and that’s the “hero ball” play-style that we’ve all grown accustomed to. For Giannis, although he’s grown throughout the season to be a better shooter, teams know that the paint is where he does his damage, and that’s what they base their defense around. For Paul George, ironically enough, ever since I made his claim for MVP, he’s been rather inconsistent with his play. He’s been so inconsisten that the Thunder, in fact, dropped down to the eighth seed recently.
Watching Curry
For Steph Curry, he really is one of the hardest players in the league to figure out. Moving around and executing plays swiftly by knocking down a three is just a part of the many ways he’s been a burden this season. In other instances, just as you think he’s going to shoot the three, he drives right past you and lays it up as one of the league’s premier finishers. Even when he’s cold scoring-wise, as alluded to before, he does an excellent job in setting his teammates up in the right spots.
Being the greatest shooter in NBA history really takes its tolls on teams because, for Curry, shooting isn’t what his game is all about. The eye-test really is what it is: an eye-test. Watching closely at how Curry performs has to make you think why is Curry not a top MVP candidate? He certainly has more of a case than Paul George, and there very well can be an argument made for Giannis or James Harden.
Tying It All Together
Curry being on a team with four other all-stars seems to have diminished the season he’s having. If we’re talking MVP, Curry has the numbers, wins, and overall team impact to back it up. Curry has been one of the league’s top players this season, and he’s simply not getting the recognition that he deserves. Despite having another MVP as a teammate, Steph DESERVES MVP recognition, and there’s no doubt that he’s a top-three MVP candidate this season.
Is my stance on Curry and his season wrong? Does someone else deserve to be in the MVP conversation? Is the trio of Harden, Antetokounmpo, and George enough? Let me know.