Towards the end of the regular season the momentum seemed to have swung on Stephen Curry's side in the race for this year's MVP award. James Harden's historic season may go down as the biggest MVP snub of all time and the same is true for Stephen Curry if James Harden wins.
Stephen Curry and his Golden State Warriors have been busy re-writing the record books this year. Some might even say Steph's individual achievements have been undermined by that of his historical team. Individually, Steph Curry broke the record for 3pts made with 276, beating his own previous record of 272. Steph won the NBA Western player of the month in November, was selected as an All-Star starter for the first time in his career (second All-Star selection overall) and won the 3pt Shooting Contest to cap off a stellar year.
His individual stats were as good, if not more impressive than all the individual accolades he won. Playing 80 games, averaging 32.7 minutes (almost 4 minutes less than James Harden) and without playing 17 fourth quarters (due to the Warriors 10.23 point differential) Steph averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 a**ists and 4.3 rebounds. This already impressive stat line looks even better when you add in 2 steals per game, 91.4% free throw percentage and 44.3% 3pt shooting percentage.
Imagine what Steph could of done with 17 more 4th quarters to play?
Along with these individual accolades and stats, the Golden State Warriors had a historic season, posting a 67-15 record. The Warriors became the 10th team in NBA history have to have 67 or more wins, joining historic teams like the '91-'92 Bulls and the '86-'87 Celtics.
James Harden's game has taken leaps and bounds in the right direction this year. Averaging 27.4 points (second in the NBA), 7 a**ists and 5.7 rebounds, his game has been outstanding to say the least. That's not to mention scoring 30 or more on 34 occasions, scoring 40 or more 10 times and 50 or more twice and 3 triple doubles (yes you read that correctly). His numbers and achievements are breath taking.
Steph Curry, along with some incredible statistics, has a mountain of support for him to win the MVP race. Steve Kerr said "Nothing left to say, except he's the MVP", his teammates had this to say "He's our MVP" and an Eastern Conference executive with over 26 years in the NBA said "I'll be stunned if anyone other than Steph wins this thing. It's not about what somebody else has done. It's about what he's done all season on the team that has set the pace for the entire league. Historically, in all of my years in the league, that's usually been the winning formula ... the best player on the runaway, best team in the league."
The MVP has actually already been decided, votes were cast by 120-member team at the end of the regular season. Even though the NBA know who's won, the rest of us have to sit patiently and wait to here the highly anticipated announcement. The award is usually announced in early May.
No matter who the MVP, neither of these historical seasons from two of the best current and future NBA stars should be forgotten.
KIA Race to MVP Ladder for the final week of the regular season:
#1 Stephen Curry
#2 James Harden
#3 LeBron James
#4 Chris Paul
#5 Russell Westbrook