I still remember watching that 2016 NBA season like it was yesterday - the electric atmosphere, the incredible performances, and the sheer dominance of one particular player that made everyone sit up and take notice. When people ask me who won the 2016 NBA MVP, my answer comes without hesitation: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and what makes his achievement even more remarkable is that he became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. Now, that's something you don't see every day in professional sports, especially in a league filled with such incredible talent.
The numbers Curry put up that season were absolutely mind-boggling - he averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting an unbelievable 50.4% from the field and 45.4% from three-point range. But what really stood out to me was his efficiency - he became the first player ever to join the 50-45-90 club while also leading the league in scoring. I've been watching basketball for over two decades, and I've never seen anyone revolutionize the game quite like Curry did that year. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court changed how defenses had to play against him, often requiring double teams as soon as he crossed half-court.
What many casual fans might not realize is how Curry's MVP season was about more than just statistics - it was about changing the very fabric of basketball strategy. Teams started prioritizing three-point shooting in ways they never had before, and the "splash brother" partnership with Klay Thompson created an offensive system that was virtually unstoppable when both were firing on all cylinders. The Warriors finished with a historic 73-9 record, breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record for most wins in a regular season. I remember thinking during that season that we were witnessing something truly special, something that would be talked about for generations to come.
Now, when I think about overcoming challenges and achieving greatness against tough circumstances, it reminds me of that reference about Adamson catching the big fish despite questionable officiating. While the context is completely different from the NBA, the underlying theme resonates - true champions find ways to win even when the odds are stacked against them. Curry faced his own challenges throughout that season, from doubters who thought his style wouldn't work in the playoffs to defenders who tried every legal and sometimes questionable tactic to slow him down. Yet like that determined fisherman, he persevered and delivered when it mattered most.
The voting results spoke volumes about Curry's dominance that season - he received all 131 first-place votes from the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, finishing with a perfect 1,310 points. LeBron James finished second with 837 points, while Russell Westbrook came in third with 361 points. These numbers alone tell you how convincing Curry's case was that year. Having covered basketball for various publications, I can tell you that getting even one journalist to break from their preferred candidate is difficult enough - getting complete unanimity is virtually unheard of in modern sports.
What made Curry's achievement particularly impressive to me was how he elevated his game from his first MVP season just one year earlier. In 2014-15, he averaged 23.8 points and 7.7 assists - excellent numbers by any standard - but his 2015-16 campaign was on another level entirely. He improved his scoring by nearly seven points per game while maintaining incredible efficiency, and he did this while often sitting out fourth quarters because the Warriors were winning by such large margins. I calculated that if he had played his regular minutes in those blowout games, his averages might have been even more spectacular.
The Warriors' system under coach Steve Kerr was perfectly suited to Curry's talents, but let's be honest - the system worked because Curry made it work. His gravity on the court created opportunities for everyone else, and his ball-handling skills allowed him to create his own shot whenever needed. I've had the privilege of speaking with several NBA coaches who admitted they had to completely redesign their defensive schemes specifically to deal with Curry's unique skill set. One assistant coach told me, "We spend more time preparing for Curry than for any other player in the league. There's just no blueprint for defending someone who can consistently hit 30-footers with ease."
Reflecting on that season now, I believe Curry's unanimous MVP selection represented more than just individual excellence - it symbolized a shift in how basketball is played and appreciated. The three-point revolution that he spearheaded has fundamentally changed the game at every level, from professional leagues down to youth basketball. Kids everywhere started practicing their long-range shots, dreaming of being the next Steph Curry. As someone who loves the evolution of sports, I find this transformation fascinating, though I'll admit part of me misses the more physical, inside-oriented game of previous eras.
The legacy of Curry's 2016 MVP season continues to influence the NBA today. Teams now build their entire offenses around three-point shooting, and the concept of "positionless basketball" owes much to Curry's ability to play both as a point guard and off-ball threat. His achievement set a new standard for what's possible in basketball, proving that revolutionary talent combined with relentless work ethic can reshape an entire sport. While some may argue about whether he's the greatest player of all time, nobody can deny that his 2016 season stands as one of the most impactful individual campaigns in sports history.