Steph Curry being named the first ever unanimous MVP of the NBA has people talking aside from just Tracy McGrady. As you can imaging, LeBron was asked about it.
He sings Curry’s praises as being deserving of the award, but he cautions us to take a good look at what the award means versus what it should mean. Per NY Post:
“I think sometimes the word ‘valuable’ or best player of the year, you can have different results,” said James, a four-time MVP. “You know, that’s not taking anything from anyone that’s ever won the award.”
“Look at Steph’s numbers,” he said. “He averaged 30, he led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 [shooting percentages from the free-throw line, field and 3-pointers], and they won 73 [games]. So, I don’t, do you have any debate over that, really, when it comes to that award? But when you talk about most ‘valuable’ then you can have a different conversation, so, take nothing away from him, he’s definitely deserving of that award, for sure.”
Is that a subtle slight by LeBron? Perhpas, but it doesn’t mean he’s wrong. He was also asked about not being named the unanimous MVP in 2013, when he fell one vote short thanks to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (who voted for Carmelo Anthony). Per Cleveland.com:
“I was heated,” James said when I asked him. “But I knew all along [I wasn’t getting a unanimous vote]. I just knew it.”
“It just pushed me harder,” James said. “That’s all. It motivated me further.”
Curry has sort of changed the dynamic of the MVP award. Now, if a guys wins, it almost feels like the next question will be, “but was it unanimous?”
