Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James finished third in the MVP voting behind San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and this year’s winner, Stephen Curry, who became the NBA’s first unanimous MVP on Tuesday. The Golden State point guard won the award for a second straight season, the first player to win consecutive MVPs since James did it in 2012 and 2013.
James praised Curry on Wednesday, but questioned the interpretation of the award. From Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal:
“I think he definitely deserved it,” said James, who finished third behind the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard. “Look at Steph’s numbers. He averaged 30, he led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 and they won 73 (games). Do you have any debate over that, really, when it comes to that award?”
“But when you talk about most ‘valuable’ then you can have a different conversation, so, take nothing away from him, he’s definitely deserving of that award, for sure.”
“If you do it by a year-to-year basis, I think sometimes the word ‘valuable’ or best player of the year, you can have different results,” he said.
Does the MVP go to the best player or the player most valuable to his team?
That’s what James is questioning, and he’s not alone. Curry was, by far, the best player during the regular season, but he also plays on the best team. The Warriors have been able to win games without him. Meanwhile, the Cavs went 1-5 during the regular season when James didn’t play. He’s probably more valuable to his team than Curry.
