Warriors’ Stephen Curry first player to win unanimous MVP
Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earned every first-place vote on his way to being named the Most Valuable Player by the NBA on Tuesday, becoming the first player in league history to earn the honor unanimously.
Curry’s remarkable regular season was cemented as arguably the greatest ever as he led the Warriors to an single-season record 73 wins, surpassing the mark set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. Only two players in league history have been one vote away from a unanimous MVP, LeBron James in 2013 and Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
Curry also becomes the 11th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards, joining James, Steve Nash and Tim Duncan as the players to accomplish that feat since 2000.
• GOLLIVER: Curry sends Warriors past Blazers
He smashed his own record for made three-pointers in a season, drilling 402 in 2015–16. He also became the second player in league history to shoot at least 50 percent from the floor, 45 percent from three and 90 percent from the free throw line in a season, joining his coach Steve Kerr.
Curry was the league-leader in scoring this season, averaging 30.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds.
Full voting results
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State - 1,310 points (131 first place votes)
2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio – 634 points
3. LeBron James, Cleveland – 631 points
4. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 486 points
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City – 147 points
6. Chris Paul, Los Angeles – 107 points
7. Draymond Green, Golden State – 50 points
8. Damian Lillard, Portland – 26 points
9. James Harden, Houston – 9 points
10. Kyle Lowry, Toronto – 6 points
