The race for the regular season’s Most Valuable Player of the NBA might come across as too early to call, but a few players are making a case with stellar displays barely four weeks into the campaign. One of such players is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors who has aided the team to an 11-2 start. WHAT KEEPS HIM IN THE MIX Against the Chicago Bulls, a game in which the Dubs used a second-half onslaught to annihilate one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Curry passed Ray Allen for the most three-point field goals made in NBA history. Needing just one on the night, the 33-year old passed Allen and has now set the record now with 3,366, including both regular-season and postseason threes made. Allen was at 3,358.
Games with 9+ threes in NBA history: 36 — Steph Curry 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 — James Harden, Damian Lillard 8 7 — Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/YzMjCwZbch — StatMuse (@statmuse) November 13, 2021
The other night, he put up a whopping 50 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks in a 127-113 win. In doing so, he proved that he is the player to beat in the race for this season’s MVP trophy. After scoring the first 13 points for Golden State, he was 9-of-19 from beyond the arc and a flawless 13-of-13 from the free-throw line.
50 points for number 30. The Chase Center crowd showing appreciation for Steph Curry 💯 pic.twitter.com/MCNr57cAoU — NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2021
Not only did he become the oldest player in NBA history to record 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game, but he also helped push the Warriors’ GOOD run.
WHY IS HE AHEAD OF THE PACK? The already two-time MVP Stephen Curry has been incredible this season, putting up incredible scoring performances while also contributing to other aspects of the game. Curry averages 6.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.6 steals, showing a measure of versatility doing his bit to helping his team win. Stephen Curry also has a flair to his game that few other players have, which has made him one of the most famous NBA players in the world over the last few years. Curry’s step-back deep threes with a shimmy get more eyes on him and more attention, making it easier to win accolades. Other elite players in the conversation for the league’s top individual honor have been and are still effusive about Curry being the complete package with an uncanny elusive and quick ability to get free even without dribbling the ball.
"I think you just have to know where he is at. He's so good. He's got the complete package offensively… He's mastered how to get free without dribbling the ball. He's just so elusive and quick. One second you look away, he's gone." Paul George on guarding Stephen Curry. pic.twitter.com/Ol02XeBVm0 — Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 22, 2021
Top analysts of the game and pundits alike are quite bold in their assessment of the elite point guard’s heroics despite only a handful of games played so far in the nascent season.
Will Steph Curry win his third MVP 🏆 this season? Kenny @TheJetOnTNT thinks so. #DubNation #NBA pic.twitter.com/AvP89bgr6Z — Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 12, 2021
The Warriors are currently the only team in the entire league with fewer than three losses.
KEY TO ACHIEVING MVP STATUS IS THE WARRIORS’ STABILITY When the Warriors play more formidable opponents, Curry will likely not take his keg off the accelerator, if not get any better, as he often lives up to the moment. The Warriors go on an eight-game stretch in which they will play the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns – all good teams. This next stretch could cement them as NBA Finals contenders, and Stephen Curry as the MVP front runner.
Once Steph Curry goes off for the Warriors, there's no stopping him 🔥 Could he possibly be the best one out there in the NBA right now? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jFjlruawG4 — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) November 13, 2021
The questions hovering about Curry and his amazing season so far are how long can this last and will he still be performing like come March 2022? And second, what will happen when Klay Thompson returns to the court? There is a quite strong possibility that the return of Thompson in the near future would make the Warriors more formidable, and that could spell even more doom for the rest of the NBA. Let’s keep an eye on Curry’s MVP campaign as the season progresses.