Other MVP candidates have smaller chances
Last year’s MVP race came down to two candidates: James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The Oklahoma City Thunder star eventually outlasted the Houston Rocket after averaging a triple-double for the year. That won’t happen again.
In fact, Curry might be in the best position to win the award simply because of new obstacles presented to all of the other candidates. Many have new star teammates that will result in growing pains and a reduced role. Something, that–as I noted in the previous slide–Curry is already used to.
Harden now has Chris Paul. Westbrook has Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. LeBron James, who takes annual vacations in the middle of the season and finished fourth in MVP voting last season, now has Isaiah Thomas, who finished fifth in MVP voting, on his team.
Kawhi Leonard’s chances might slip if the San Antonio Spurs fall down the Western Conference standings. Giannis Antetokounmpo and most of the Eastern Conference candidates probably won’t win enough games. That leaves the two Warriors: Curry and Durant.
It’s possible they steal votes from each other and even cancel each other out in the minds of voters. Still, with diminished chances from some of the league’s biggest stars, it’s hard to argue that Curry’s chances don’t increase on some level.