(PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Margot/AP.)
In the discussion for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, we seem to leave out Stephen Curry these days. When it comes to that particular accolade, the voters seem to be always looking for the next guy unless you absolutely really cannot deny the player the trophy. And we’ve seen that when Curry won in 2016 or when LeBron James won in 2013.
And it’s not like the new winners don’t deserve it. Russell Westbrook won (the first winner that was on a team lower than a third seed in the conference since 1983) because he was only the second player to finish a season with a triple-double average. Westbrook would repeat this feat the next season but the award went to James Harden because his team won 65 wins (largely because of him) and, once again, it was a new player to win.
LeBron James still gets some love because he’s the best player in the game. But even then, he still gets ignored because he’s won four of those things. Kevin Durant is considered the second best player in the game so he still gets props for MVP. But he’s also a former winner so he doesn’t get all the props. We’re always looking at guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, or Kawhi Leonard.
And then the two-time MVP winner does this:
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
The guy scored 51 points in three quarters. And it’s not like these shots are easy for any NBA player. Curry is shooting them on a catch-and-shoot, on the run, and from 30 feet away.
Sometimes, we forget that Stephen Curry is IMMENSELY responsible for the way the game is being played now. We also forget that he’s possibly the greatest shooter the NBA has ever had. He’s a game-changer. He’s a gamebreaker. Curry gets a bit of daylight and that shot gets knocked down more often than their opponents would like, no matter what awkward position he’s at.
Curry goes against the rules of “good basketball.” We’re all taught not to pull up for a perimeter shot in a full court game when there are no teammates to rebound for us. We’re all told not to pull up from really long distance even if we’re open. We’re supposed to pass to a teammate when we’re being double-teamed. But for Steph, ANY shot is a good shot.
Some teams are at a loss of what to do. Do you press Curry when he makes it to halfcourt? Should you give him space when he’s 40 feet away from the basket? On the break, do you leave Curry to guard his teammates that are diving to the basket or do you leave the divers alone? The ENTIRE offense changes when he’s on the court. Who has THAT kind of impact?
And another thing on why he gets overlooked so much is because his body is… not the ideal NBA player. Curry is 6’3″ and listed at 190 pounds. He doesn’t look physically imposing. If he didn’t have such a recognizable face (or if you just don’t know anything about Curry or the NBA), he’s just another tall guy that blends in on the streets.
But he makes it all up with his speed, his handles, his basketball smarts, his court vision, and his shot. And there’s hardly anything better in the NBA than Curry electifying the crowd with his volcanic shooting (I know those are sort of different elements but work with me here). When he’s in that zone, Dell’s son is nearly unstoppable.
Stephen Curry has 33 three-pointers in five games. It would be ridiculous if he actually kept up this pace and end the season with 520+ three-pointers. But is it really that impossible for Curry? He has pushed the bar so high and has changed the game so much. Who are we to say what’s unreasonable for this man?
Sure, we can easily make arguments for other guys like LeBron, Giannis, or even fellow Warrior Durant for the MVP award. Let’s just, uh, try not to forget the fiery gamechanger from G. State.
Although, honestly, I’d be happy if Stephen Curry would remind us why he should be voted for his third MVP.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.