NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Most Valuable Player Award In 2016-17

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October 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Stephen Curry

No disrespect to the two-time reigning MVP, who just put together the greatest offensive onslaught in regular season history, but people just aren’t as high on Stephen Curry at the moment.

Whether it was the Golden State Warriors‘ 3-1 collapse in the Finals, Kevin Durant joining the mix or all the love the Dubs got last year, Curry suddenly enters the 2016-17 campaign as something of an underdog in the MVP race. Voter fatigue is bound to set in, and Curry’s numbers probably won’t look as good with Kevin Durant joining the starting lineup.

However, Steph’s game is electrifying enough to translate no matter who he’s sharing the court with. He’s the most singularly dangerous weapon in the league, and having Thompson and KD flanking him on the perimeter might open things up for him like never before — both for his drives to the basket and his assist totals on kick-outs.

Best of luck to teams that try trapping Curry-Draymond Green pick-and-rolls, because one of KD or Klay is going to be wide open on the perimeter. If the addition of KD doesn’t undermine Curry’s status as alpha on another 65+ win Warriors team, a three-peat could be in play.