Steve Kerr believes Stephen Curry is the NBA’s MVP

Mar 3, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts from the bench to a teammates basket during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY SPORTS
Mar 3, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts from the bench to a teammates basket during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY SPORTS

Stephen Curry believes that he’s the NBA’s MVP, but he also knows that it’s unlikely he’s given the award for the third time in his career. Curry’s right to the award is justified as he’s the sole leader of a Warriors team that should be able to make the play-in tournament.

Considering that the game before his historic run they lost by 53 points to the Raptors, it’s clear to see how important he is to the success of the Golden State Warriors. However, the case for Curry weakens when talking about the team hovering around .500

Stephen Curry has two MVP trophies under his belt, and both Curry and head coach Steve Kerr believe he’s due for his third this season.

“Yes,” Kerr said according to NBC Sports.

The case is there. Curry has averaged over 37 points per game over his last 13. He had a stretch during that where he averaged 41.3 points per game for nine games. That’s MVP-like numbers. As noted, his case isn’t as strong as others when looking at their record.

They aren’t a top-five team in the Western Conference. Players like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, the two frontrunners, are the top option on teams that rank within the top four of their respective conference.

That shouldn’t discredit what Curry’s been able to do. Sure, he had a unanimous MVP season, but he’s arguably playing better, more dominant basketball right now. Curry’s been absolutely unguardable.

NBC Sports’ Josh Schrock continued with the thought process of a team must be among the best record-wise to have the MVP.

"“Traditionally, it has been difficult for players on teams who aren’t leading a top-three seed to win the award. Russell Westbrook won the 2016-17 award for an Oklahoma City Thunder team that finished 46-35,” Schrock wrote."

Now, the positive is that the Warriors’ next seven games are extremely winnable, taking on bottom-five teams in the West in six of them. If the Dubs can manage to get a top-six seed in the conference, there’s no reason that Curry’s stock as the league’s MVP can’t climb a bit.

The Warriors have 11 games left. Eight wins would give Golden State enough of an improvement for Curry to have a shot. For now, it seems unlikely, but considering who they play, there is some hope the Dubs can show the needed improvement to get him in contention.