On Monday, what was predicted to be the closest MVP race in NBA history came to an end, and the result was emphatic.
James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Chris Paul all had legitimate claims to the Maurice Podoloff trophy, but it will be very tough for the fans of those five players to argue that Stephen Curry, the leader and point guard for the Golden State Warriors, did not deserve to be named the season's best performer. A total of 100 first-place votes told the full story.
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In a season which has been dominated by Golden State's brilliance and their evolution from an exciting young team to title favourites, Curry has been the star. From opening night to now, Curry has led the way on and off the court, and he has slowly become one of the sport's most loved players.
Perhaps only those closest to Curry could have predicted that the Akron native had the potential to get his hands on the MVP award. When he was drafted by the Warriors with the seventh pick in 2009, many argued that the franchise was taking too big a risk on a guard who would be outmuscled, exposed defensively and limited in too many areas of the court. Since then, Curry's response has been emphatic. As each season passes, the former Davidson Wildcats guard appears to add something else to his game, and that steady improvement has taken him from respected first-round Draft pick to a feared two-time All-Star.
In truth, some of the doubts surrounding Curry were understandable. A prolific scorer in Davidson, it was unfeasible to some that he would be able to take those skills to the next level against the best players in the sport, but it's his versatility which has seen him reach new heights each year. Not content with being an excellent shooter, Curry can quickly become a pass-first guard in certain games, and he also has the enviable ability to make players around him better.
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Since Curry entered the NBA, the sport has continued to change. The league is no longer dominated by the big power forwards and centers, and although there is clearly room for the likes of Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMarcus Cousins to flourish, it's guards like Curry who will steal the headlines for the foreseeable future. If the change in philosophy and tactics has suited anyone, it's Curry. The 27-year-old arguably possesses the best jump shot in the game, and even after six seasons, the quickness of his release continues to stun experts and rival players. In 10 to 15 years, he may be looked back on as one of the greatest shooters to play the sport.
However, it is not just the three-point efforts that have moved him to the top table among the NBA's elite. Curry has refused to settle for a shot which many of his opponents would love to bring to the court. That skill will allow him to lead Golden State to victories for many more years, but his ability to alter games with different approaches is an attribute that many point guards struggle to gain. In that sense, he can be compared to Chris Paul in that both players can take control of games to create shots for themselves, or sit back and become the facilitator that their teammates need. It's this flexibility which catches everyone's attention, earns MVP awards and delivers NBA titles.
The introduction of Steve Kerr as Golden State's new head coach last summer has changed the direction of the franchise, and the pressure is on them not just to win this year's title, but to become a force over the next few seasons. Kerr's appointment has spurred Curry on to reach new levels. You simply cannot underestimate the impact Kerr has had on Curry, who had previously voiced his displeasure when former coach Mark Jackson was fired a year ago. Kerr has placed his trust in Curry, and the five-time NBA champion has reaped the rewards of putting more pressure on the point guard. It's not just the incredible shooting nights and moments of brilliance off the dribble which has earned him the award, but he no longer hides on the defensive side either. Kerr won't let him just be a fixture on the highlight reel. Curry has added another weapon to his arsenal, and it allows him to win battles at both ends of the court.
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After all of the analysis and checks of Curry's statistics, there's something else which will continue to come to the forefront when reflecting on the campaign. Entertainment. Curry is just fun to watch. It's a simple argument, and one that analysts will always choose to look past but Curry is an entertainer. The Oracle Arena is one of the loudest home courts in the NBA, and Curry has created enough magical moments to last 10 seasons within the space of just a few months. It's a safe bet to assume that he will deliver a few more before the end of the post-season, too.
Very few basketball fans will forget the way social media responded just seconds after Curry put Paul on the floor with a behind-the-back move, or how he left Westbrook reaching at a ball which had already been taken away from him. It's these moments which will be replayed over and over again, and in a sport which is too often dominated by statistics, he is proof that entertainment can win the battle. Curry made that clear by winning the MVP race, and if he guides the Warriors to the title, it will be a joy to watch. When it comes to Curry, style and success go hand in hand.
Callum Mulvihill
