Golden State Warriors point guard and two-time MVP Stephen Curry had an amazing year last season, averaging 25.3 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 boards in 79 regular-season games. In the playoffs, Curry increased his scoring to 28.1 points per outing on top of 6.7 assists and 6.6 rebounds as he led the Warriors to their second NBA title in three years.
Despite these numbers, Curry finished just sixth in the Most Valuable Player voting with no first or second-place votes and just three third-place votes, one fourth-place vote, and 34 fifth-place votes for a measly 52 points -- way behind the 888 points garnered by eventual winner Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The voting result came as a surprise since Curry earned all 131 first-place votes in the 2015-16 season to become the first unanimous winner of the MVP award.
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James tallied the best rebound and assist averages of his career last season but he failed to make it into the top three in the 2016-17 MVP race. According to ESPN senior writer J.A. Adande, Curry and James reached new statistical heights in their careers but “they didn't push boundaries." Adande said voters want to see breakouts and breakthroughs, just like Westbrook’s triple-double average in the regular season.
Curry has no more territory to explore
According to Adande, Curry has no territory left to explore, especially when he reached the summit during the Warriors' historic 73-win season in 2015-16 where he made 402 three-point shots in 886 attempts.
He said that Curry’s sixth-place finish in last year’s MVP voting was an indication that he’s no longer considered one of the very best players in the league.
In addition, Adande said voters seem to impose a one-year punishment on members of superteams, just like what happened to James when he moved to the Miami Heat in 2010.
In his first season with the Heat, James finished third in MVP voting despite averaging 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists. He recovered and won back-to-back MVP trophies in 2012 and 2013.
Durant to win MVP next season
Based on ESPN's Forecast Panel, Curry’s teammate Kevin Durant will take home the 2017-18 NBA MVP trophy with 17 first-place votes and 116 points.
James follows suit with 88 points, Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs is projected next with 58 points, and Houston Rockets’ James Harden is expected to garner 48 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is projected to occupy the fifth spot with 29 points, while Westbrook is expected to tally 20 points, and Curry is expected to finish with 19 points.
