If there was any play in Game 2 that embodied Stephen Curry’s campaign for 2018 NBA Finals MVP, it was the one that came with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter. Why Kevin Love was defending a two-time MVP who doubles as the most vaunted shooter in NBA history is anyone’s guess, but he was. The Warriors forced that matchup all night long, and Curry had taken advantage time and time again.
Stephen Curry has never won a Finals MVP. He looks like he wants it.
Curry just broke Ray Allen’s record for most 3s in a Finals game. He hasn’t won a Finals MVP yet, but this looks like his year.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
This time was no different.
Curry lost Love — and the ball — with a double behind-the-back move, and when he recovered the ball from what appeared to be a mile away from the basket, he turned around and vaulted it at the rim with time expiring.
Of course it went in.
It was that kind of night for Curry who set an NBA Finals record with nine three pointers on Sunday night. He scored 33 points on 10-of-25 shooting from the field, 9-of-17 from downtown, to go with eight assists and seven rebounds. And it’s looking like that kind of series for the Warriors star who has yet to claim a Finals MVP despite winning two NBA championships in the past three years.
Curry has broken record after record, but he’s never won Finals MVP
Remember, when the Warriors won their first championship in 2015, it was Andre Iguodala who won NBA Finals MVP. Steve Kerr inserted Iggy into the starting lineup, and the decision changed the entire complexion of that series. Even though Curry averaged 26 points per game against the Cavaliers that year, it was Iguodala whose defense, playmaking and hustle that injected new life into Golden State’s lineup.
In 2016, the Cavaliers won thanks to an incredible side-step game-winning three from Kyrie Irving right over Curry’s hand. LeBron James basically averaged 30 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists with 2.6 blocks and 2.3 steals per game to seal Finals MVP, and Curry was thoroughly outplayed by Irving in that series.
In 2017, the Warriors traded for Kevin Durant, who redefined their identity on both ends of the floor. Durant had the most efficient NBA Finals performance in NBA history against the Cavaliers last season, averaging 35 points on 55 percent shooting from the field, 47 percent from three and 92 percent shooting from the foul line. Even though Curry had a decent series of his own, it was clear who the best player on the floor was.
Now, it’s his turn
In Game 1, Curry scored 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting. Even though James poured in 51 points, Curry’s big shots carried the Dubs through four quarters and into overtime.
And in Game 2, Curry broke Ray Allen’s record for most threes in a Finals game. He scores in a multitude of ways, often times giving the ball up before darting to a corner to get a wide open three.
Curry has been magnificent early into these Finals, and his play has led the Warriors to a 2-0 series lead, only two away from repeating as champions. And if he keeps this kind of play up, nothing’s going to stop him from finally getting his paws on the award that’s avoided him all these years.
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