The Golden State Warriors are not in playoff contention right now.
While technically, because of how the NBA redid their playoff system, they’re in contention for the play-in tournament, that may not gain much favor with the panel of MVP voters. It would be tough to envision an MVP candidate not on a true top-eight team.
That’s what Stephen Curry is gunning for though. While wins may be more important, he’ll garner MVP-like attention just from being forced to put the team on his back. Over the past two weeks, he’s averaged over 40 points per game.
After the Golden State Warriors’ most recent loss to the Washington Wizards, they’re now 29-30 and that may kill Stephen Curry’s claim to MVP.
Sadly, his insane scoring may not matter as the Warriors record may kill Curry’s chance at MVP. After all, Curry’s not even ranked in the top ten in basketball reference’s MVP tracker, and you can bet record plays a big part of that as Rudy Gobert is a top-five favorite.
While no one is going to base their opinion on that algorithm, it’s clear that MVP trackers favor those candidates on teams that have a solid record.
The Warriors, until they last seven of eight in which Curry missed a handful of, were on their way to being a top-six seed in the Western Conference. Even with Curry, they’re still dropping games that they really have no busy losing.
Their inability to win shouldn’t fully be put on Curry. He’s had more games with ten or more triples this season than any other player in NBA history has in their career. That’s really all you need to know about his historic play recently.
When Curry doesn’t hit 20 points or play, the Warriors are just 4-10. The Warriors are 1-7 when Curry sits. Considering that, the Dubs are a nice 28-23 when Curry at least suits up which would put them in playoff contention.
The last three MVP winners, all the way back to when Russell Westbrook won it by averaging a triple-double, have won their conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Bucks have won the East the past two seasons, and he’s ensuing won the MVP.
Despite who has been around him, they’ve awarded the Greek Freak’s efforts. Given that trend, the panel would have to look at the fact that their isn’t a truly dominant player among the top-tier of teams.
Curry has been the most dominant force this season, and he should be MVP. Expect history to repeat itself though and do not be shocked when Curry doesn’t take home his third MVP award.