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Golden State Warriors: Where ESPN experts rank Stephen Curry in MVP favoritism

By Peter O'Keefe

Mar 12, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Entering his 15th year in the league and at 35 years of age, it’s wild to consider that Golden State Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry is still a prospect for the NBA MVP next season.

But while a couple of untimely injuries hampered Curry’s 2022-23 regular season, when on the floor he was still somewhere close to his prime. The two-time MVP averaged over 29 points per game for just the third time in his career, and his 42.7% from beyond the arc was his second-highest mark of the last seven years.

With teammates often struggling around him, the two-time MVP was forced to take things up a notch during the postseason. Curry’s 30.5 points per game were the most of any of his nine playoff campaigns, while he also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists across the 13 games.

Golden State Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry remains a candidate for NBA MVP next season according to a team of ESPN experts.

Asked to provide their predictions for each of the major NBA awards, a group of ESPN analysts provided their rankings with the scoring based on five points for a first-place vote, three points for a second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote.

Curry received a total of seven points and 3.8% of the first-place votes, tied seventh with star guard Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of a game at Footprint Center on November 16, 2022. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of a game at Footprint Center on November 16, 2022. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The experts believe NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic will avenge his second-place finish, with the Nuggets star looking to win the award for a third time in four years after losing out to Joel Embiid last season.

Also battling for a third MVP is Giannis Antetokounmpo who ranked as the second favorite ahead of Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Embiid, Kevin Durant and

Curry will need to be a little more durable with the NBA’s new requirement for players to have competed in at least 65 regular season games. He’s played in 5, 63, 64 and 56 games over the last four seasons.

Next. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry speaks on much-improved facet of his game. dark

Golden State will need Curry to remain a top 7-8 player at minimum, if not top five, should they wish to reach the top of the mountain again and win a fifth championship in the last decade.

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