I still remember the 2016 NBA season like it was yesterday—the electric atmosphere in arenas, the record-breaking performances, and that lingering question everyone kept asking: who would take home the MVP trophy? As someone who's followed basketball religiously for over two decades, I've developed a pretty good sense for these things, but 2016 presented one of those rare seasons where the debate felt genuinely meaningful. The answer, of course, was Stephen Curry, but the story behind his unanimous selection reveals so much about what makes an MVP truly valuable. What fascinates me most isn't just the statistical dominance—though that was certainly spectacular—but how his season reflected something deeper about team dynamics and competitive integrity. I can't help but draw connections to Uichico's later admission about teams not playing to their full potential, because Curry's Warriors represented the exact opposite phenomenon: a squad that maximized every ounce of their collective ability.
When we talk about Curry's 2016 campaign, the numbers alone should make any basketball enthusiast's jaw drop. He became the first player in NBA history to be unanimously voted MVP, capturing all 131 first-place votes—a fact that still blows my mind when I think about it. His 30.1 points per game came with unprecedented efficiency, shooting 50.4% from the field, 45.4% from three-point range, and 90.8% from the free-throw line, making him only the seventh player to join the elite 50-40-90 club. But here's what impressed me more than the percentages: he did this while attempting over 11 three-pointers per game, completely reshaping how defenses had to approach the Warriors. I've never seen a single player force opposing coaches to redesign their entire defensive schemes quite like Curry did that season. His true shooting percentage of 66.9% set a new record for guards, and he added 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game just to remind everyone he wasn't just a shooter.
The context surrounding his MVP season makes it even more remarkable. Golden State finished with a 73-9 record, breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' legendary mark of 72-10 that many thought would stand forever. I remember watching that final regular season game against Memphis, realizing I was witnessing something that might not happen again in my lifetime. What separated Curry's MVP case from other great seasons, in my opinion, was how he elevated his game when it mattered most. In the 27 games following a Warriors loss, he averaged 34.2 points with a 70% true shooting percentage—the definition of a bounce-back performer. His plus-minus numbers were absolutely ridiculous; the Warriors outscored opponents by 21.3 points per 100 possessions with Curry on the floor versus just 1.9 when he sat. That 19.4-point swing tells you everything about his value.
Now, let's talk about the competition, because this wasn't a weak field by any means. Kawhi Leonard finished second in voting, having a phenomenal two-way season for the 67-win San Antonio Spurs. LeBron James put up his typical stellar numbers with 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double after the All-Star break, which was absolutely insane to watch unfold. But here's where I think the voters got it right: Curry's impact transcended traditional statistics. He fundamentally changed how basketball was played at both ends of the court. Defenses had to guard him from 30 feet out, creating unprecedented spacing for his teammates. The Warriors' offensive rating of 115.6 with him on the court was higher than any team's full-season mark in NBA history at that point.
This brings me to that fascinating quote from Uichico about teams not playing to their full potential. Watching the 2016 Warriors was like watching the antithesis of that sentiment—they squeezed every drop of potential from their roster. Curry wasn't just putting up empty stats; he was the engine of the most efficient offensive machine the league had ever seen. His gravity created opportunities that didn't exist for other teams. I've rewatched dozens of their games from that season, and what strikes me is how Curry's mere presence on the perimeter would draw two defenders, leaving someone like Draymond Green to operate 4-on-3. That kind of impact doesn't always show up in traditional box scores, but it's exactly what separates good players from transformative ones.
What often gets overlooked in the Curry MVP discussion is how he maintained this production despite increased defensive attention. Teams tried everything—blitzing pick-and-rolls, switching everything, even face-guarding him from half-court. None of it worked consistently. I remember specifically the February 27th game against Oklahoma City where he hit that legendary 38-foot game-winner in overtime. That shot wasn't just spectacular entertainment; it was symbolic of his entire season—defying conventional basketball wisdom and succeeding against any defensive strategy thrown at him. His 402 three-pointers that season didn't just break his previous record of 286; it shattered our understanding of what was possible from long range.
The narrative surrounding his unanimous selection also speaks volumes about how the league had evolved. In previous eras, voters seemed almost reluctant to grant unanimous status, as if holding out for some mythical perfect season. That Curry received every first-place vote indicates how compelling his case had become—the statistical dominance, the team success, and the revolutionary style of play created a perfect storm of MVP credentials. Personally, I believe we'll look back on his 2016 season as one of those landmark performances that changed basketball permanently. The way teams now prioritize three-point shooting, develop guards who can shoot off the dribble from deep, and construct offenses around spacing can all trace their roots back to Curry's MVP campaign.
Reflecting on that season now, what stands out most isn't just the trophies or records, but how Curry's MVP year represented basketball evolution in real time. While other great players were mastering existing aspects of the game, Curry was inventing new ones. The Uichico quote about unrealized potential makes me appreciate Curry's season even more—here was a player and a team that not only reached their potential but expanded our understanding of what potential even meant in basketball. Years from now, when we're still seeing players attempt deeper threes and offenses built around shooting versatility, we'll recognize Curry's 2016 MVP season as the turning point. It wasn't just about being the most valuable player that year; it was about being valuable to the sport's very evolution.