Old North Banter
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Stephen Curry: Most Improved Player?

By John Woodcock

Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) sits on the bench during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) sits on the bench during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stephen Curry may be in line not just for an MVP, but possibly an MIP trophy at season’s end.

Former Davidson Wildcat Stephen Curry continues to impress this year. His Golden State Warriors are primed for a run at the all-time season’s win record of seventy-two held by the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls. There is an argument to made that Curry is playing his best basketball this season. That should sound insane, after all he won the Most Valuable Player Award just last year and the NBA Championship.

However that seems to be life with Curry. Now some corners are suggesting that Curry have more than one title belt on his horizon. While Curry will be targeting a second League MVP award, he is also starting to get notice for the Most Improved Player Award. At least Zach Lowe of ESPN and James Herbert of CBS Sports have suggested it.

When asked about it by Lowe, Curry said it was up to the voters and how they interpreted ‘Most Improved.’ This is similar to how different voters can have different ideas on what ‘Most Valuable’ means. If voters believe that Curry’s level of play has improved more than other candidates then they might choose him. It would be an unusual choice since the Most Improved Player is usually given to a player coming back from injury or a player who went from fewer minutes to a more important role on a team.

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To judge whether it makes sense to put Curry in this camp let’s compare this season’s numbers with last season’s on a per game basis. His field goal percentage is up two points to almost 51%. His three point percentage is up one point to 45%. His free throw percentage has stayed constant at 91%. That 90-50-40 is something that only Steve Nash has sniffed lately. Curry’s scoring is also up six points a game from last year. Based on the improvements, he is more efficient now. He also has two more triple-doubles than he had all last season.

Still it would be weird for Curry to win the MIP trophy just because that trophy doesn’t generally go to superstars and certainly not to former MVPs. Most likely someone more mundane will win the award like Rodney Hood, for instance.

At least Curry will be in Santa Clara to cheer on the Panthers for Super Bowl 50.

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