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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry gets honest about 2015 Finals MVP controversy

By Peter O'Keefe

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 and Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105 to 97 during Game Six of the 2015 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 16, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 and Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105 to 97 during Game Six of the 2015 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 16, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Debate surrounding the 2015 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP remains commonplace among the NBA fraternity, even now, over seven years since the Golden State Warriors’ championship triumph. The award was controversially won by forward Andre Iguodala, that despite the presence of regular season MVP Stephen Curry.

Golden State Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry believe he “for sure” deserved the 2015 Finals MVP that ultimately went to longtime teammate Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala’s insertion into the Warriors starting lineup proved a pivotal turning point in the series, made all the more historic by his Finals MVP achievement. Statistically, Curry still led the Warriors throughout the series, with many, including him, believing he deserved the award instead.

"“The question, did i feel like I deserved it, for sure…I felt like obviously we’re not winning the Finals if I don’t play the way I play. I felt like I played extremely well. We don’t win the Finals unless Andre plays the way he did…we both thought we probably deserved it”, Curry told the Old Man and the Three Podcast."

It still sounds like Curry has unflinching gratitude towards Iguodala for his role in that championship, along with the three more they’ve won since. After a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers took a 2-1 lead with home court advantage, head coach Steve Kerr went small by replacing Andrew Bogut with Iguodala in the starting lineup. Golden State would go on to win three straight games and ultimately their first championship in 40 years.

Iguodala averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and four assists during the Finals, shooting 52.1% from the field and 40% from three-point range. He’s credited as being the primary defender on James, although the four-time Finals MVP did average a herculean 35.8 points (less than 40% from the floor), 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists for the series. Curry averaged 26 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists on 44.3% from the field and 38.5% from three.

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Curry would have to wait nearly a decade to win his elusive Finals MVP, leaving no doubt about the decision as he comprehensively led the Warriors to a 4-2 win over the Boston Celtics earlier in the year.

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