LeBron Says Steph Curry Definitely Deserved MVP, Admits "Mistake" Answering Question
By Ryan Mayer
LeBron James made waves a couple of weeks ago with his response to a question posed regarding Steph Curry's unanimous honor as the NBA's Most Valuable Player. In case you don't remember the comments here they are via Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area:
"If you do it by a year-to-year basis, sometimes the word 'Most Valuable' or 'best player of the year' can have different results," James said in May. "It's not taking away from anyone that's ever won the award. But, I mean, you look at Steph's numbers – he averaged 30, led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 and they won 73 wins. Can you have, really, any debate over that? Really? When it comes to that award.
"But when you talk about most valuable, then you can have a different conversation. But take nothing away from him. He's definitely deserving of that award for sure."
Now, the distinction that James seemed to be trying to make is the difference between a "player of the year" type award and the player who is "most valuable" to their team. Many took that to mean that LeBron sees himself as more valuable to the Cavs than Curry is to the Warriors. James was reportedly asked about those comments yesterday on the eve of Game 1 of the Finals and the star forward said it was a mistake for him to even answer the question, again from Monte Poole's report.
"First of all, I made the mistake by even answering the question, because I knew where it was going to go," James said Wednesday, on the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers. "And I guarantee how it was phrased to Steph wasn't how I answered the question. So his reaction was what it was. And I've been there before as well.
"So Steph was definitely the MVP of our league and is the MVP in our league and is a great basketball player. And what he does for this league is amazing."
James seems to be making it out to be the media's fault and that his comments were overblown or misrepresented to Steph when the question was asked. James further elaborated as you can read in Poole's piece, and Curry for his part downplayed any "rivalry" angle with James when asked about it during his media availability yesterday.
"It's really annoying to me. That's not what I'm playing for, to be the face of the NBA or to be this or that or to take LeBron's throne or whatever. I'm trying to chase rings, and that's all I'm about. So that's where the conversation stops for me."
The NBA Finals get underway tonight from Oakland at 6 pm Pacific time on ABC.
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.