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NBA Awards Watch: Golden State Runs the Table

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Player

  1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors – Before I anoint him, it is fair to say that Stephen Curry isn’t the best overall player in the NBA. In fact, I would agree with that assertion, but in the same breath, no one has been more valuable than the 26-year-old Curry. The Warriors are (obviously) the toast of the association, but Curry’s individual numbers have been ridiculously impressive in their own right, with a statistical profile of 23.7 points, 7.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. Curry’s playing time has dipped to a more manageable 33.4 minutes per game, leading to a very small dip in per-game production, but the best shooter alive is posting a 49/41/93 shooting line, and his point guard abilities are no longer in question. The Warriors need to win 65-plus games for Stephen Curry to win this thing, but they are within that range.
  2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans – Davis has been comically good this season, and it is a shame that he will be punished for his team’s inept roster construction. New Orleans has been stung by the injury bug on the perimeter, but even at full strength, his counterparts on the perimeter are less than adequate, and that holds the Pelicans back, as evidenced by their 11-12 record. The 21-year-old Davis has been incredible, though, averaging 24.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game with a league-leading 33.09 PER, and if he can keep his efficiency at through-the-roof levels, it will be impossible to deny him a place at the table.
  3. James Harden, Houston Rockets – Harden’s partner in crime, Dwight Howard, has missed 12 of the past 13 games with injury, but the oft-maligned shooting guard has guided the Rockets to a sparkling 9-3 record over that period. In the midst of Howard’s 11-game absence, Harden averaged 29.1 points, 6.1 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game, and his overall numbers for the season (26.3 points, 6.7 assists, 6.4 rebounds) certainly place him in the elite class. The defensive concerns were certainly real before the season, but Harden is now competing much more effectively on that end, and Houston’s ascension to contender status legitimizes his run at MVP consideration.

Next: What are the greatest individual seasons in NBA history?

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