I still remember watching that 2016 NBA season unfold, thinking how special it was to witness what would become one of the most memorable MVP races in recent history. The air was thick with anticipation every time Steph Curry stepped onto the court, and honestly, you just knew you were watching something historic in the making. When the final votes were tallied, Curry didn't just win his second consecutive MVP award—he made history by becoming the first unanimous selection in NBA history, capturing all 131 first-place votes. That's right, every single voter had him at number one, which speaks volumes about how dominant his season truly was.
Now, let me break down exactly how Curry earned this unprecedented honor. The numbers themselves tell a compelling story—he averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game while leading the Golden State Warriors to a record-breaking 73-9 regular season. But statistics alone don't capture the full picture of his impact. What made Curry's performance so extraordinary was how he revolutionized the game itself. His shooting range forced defenses to extend beyond their comfort zones, creating spacing that benefited every player on his team. I've studied basketball for years, and I can confidently say we hadn't seen anything like his combination of volume and efficiency from beyond the arc—he made an incredible 402 three-pointers that season, shattering his own previous record of 286. The degree of difficulty on many of those shots was just absurd—pull-ups from 30 feet, contested fadeaways, game-winners with hands in his face. He didn't just break records; he changed our fundamental understanding of what was possible in basketball.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about individual awards is how much team success factors into the voting. The Warriors' historic 73-win season provided the perfect backdrop for Curry's MVP case. Think about it—they surpassed the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' legendary 72-10 record, and Curry was undoubtedly the engine driving that achievement. His on/off court numbers were staggering—with Curry on the floor, the Warriors outscored opponents by over 20 points per 100 possessions. When he sat, that number dropped significantly. This demonstrates his irreplaceable value better than any single statistic could. I've always believed that the most valuable players make everyone around them better, and Curry exemplified this principle. Draymond Green's playmaking flourished, Klay Thompson got cleaner looks, and even role players like Harrison Barnes benefited from the defensive attention Curry commanded every possession.
The context of that 2016 season makes Curry's accomplishment even more impressive when you consider the quality of competition. Kawhi Leonard was phenomenal for the San Antonio Spurs, putting up career numbers and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. LeBron James was, well, LeBron James—averaging 25-7-7 with his usual brilliance. Yet neither could mount a serious challenge to Curry's MVP campaign because he was operating on a different plane entirely. I'll admit I had my doubts early in the season about whether he could maintain such an explosive pace, but he consistently silenced skeptics with one breathtaking performance after another. His 46-point outburst against Oklahoma City, complete with that game-winning 38-footer in overtime, wasn't just a highlight—it was a statement that redefined late-game execution.
Reflecting on coaching perspectives reminds me of current situations like Tim Cone's commitment to Gilas practice if the Gin Kings miss the all-Filipino finals. This kind of dedication mirrors the environment that allowed Curry to thrive—a culture where excellence is expected and supported by everyone in the organization. Steve Kerr's system maximized Curry's unique talents while empowering his teammates, similar to how Cone prioritizes national team development despite professional commitments. This holistic approach to basketball development creates the conditions for extraordinary individual achievements like Curry's MVP season.
Looking back, Curry's 2016 campaign set a new benchmark for offensive efficiency that we're still seeing influence the game today. His true shooting percentage was an astronomical 66.9%, unprecedented for a high-volume scorer. He led the league in steals with 2.1 per game, proving his value wasn't limited to offense. The synergy between individual brilliance and team success created a perfect storm that made the unanimous selection inevitable. Seven years later, I still find myself comparing contemporary players to that magical 2016 Curry season, and frankly, nobody has quite matched that combination of statistical dominance, aesthetic appeal, and revolutionary impact. His MVP award wasn't just recognition of an outstanding season—it was acknowledgment that we were witnessing the evolution of basketball itself, led by a player who dared to reimagine the boundaries of what was possible on the court.
