This year in the NBA, the race was close to win the NBA MVP award. The top candidates were likely Lebron James, Russel Westbrook, James Harden, and Stephen Curry.

Lebron James was in his first year back with the Cleveland Cavaliers since leaving to join the Miami Heat. His case to win MVP was pretty strong as always since he is labeled as the best basketball player in the world right now. He was hurt earlier in the year, but when he made the decision to rest, it became evident that that was the best thing to do. When he came back, he looked like his old self.

Interesting Stats: In 2013-2014, the Cavaliers’ record (without James) was 33-49 and was not enough to qualify for the playoffs. Their 2014-2015  (with James) record was 53-29 and are still in the playoffs as of the second round.

Russel Westbrook was another MVP candidate that was injured for a significant time during the season. When he came back, he was playing on a team that was without Kevin Durant, the former NBA MVP. He was the one that would have to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder. He did his best in doing so and captured the attention of many fans as he was always giving everything he had for every second he was on the court. Ultimately, his team was just a game short of making the playoffs, which was a huge blow to Russel’s chances of winning MVP.

Interesting Stats: Russel Westbrook led the whole NBA with 28.1 pts per game. He also stunned the world when he recorded 11 triple-doubles, almost tripling the second place’s amount (James Harden – 4).

James Harden was one of the most exciting players to watch this year. He was always doing his best and kept driving the ball to the basket. He was second in scoring to Westbrook. He was able to be the leader for the Houston Rockets during the entire season and led them to 56 wins. He went from being one of the league’s best sixth man with the Oklahoma City Thunder to being one of the best of all with the Houston Rockets this year. He led them past the Dallas Mavericks and are still alive in the playoffs this year due to Harden’s success.

Interesting Stats: James Harden recorded two games with 50 plus points and recorded 4 triple-doubles.

Stephen Curry was the most exciting player to watch this year in the NBA and therefore won the KIA NBA MVP award. His stats might not seem the best when you compare them to the other candidates, but if you actually watched him you would know why he won the prestigious award. Whether he was breaking ankles or dishing out dimes, or even making circus shots, he was always finding a way to consistently make the highlight reels. His team as a whole was the best team in the NBA, finishing with a 67-15 record. Curry was the best candidate to win when it comes to winning the MVP award. The Warriors are still cruising in the playoffs, as they are in the second round.

Interesting Stats: Stephen Curry posted some incredible numbers this year, averaging 23.8 pts 7.7 asst. and 4.4 reb. per game. While these are not the best statistics out of the names mentioned, the blame can go to the rest of the Warriors. The team as a whole was the best this year when it came to winning their games. In fact Stephen Curry, was able to sit out the entire fourth quarter twenty times this season! So if his stats seem mediocre, that’s because of his teammates.

The award for MVP in any sport means who is the best statistical player in the season, but as the title infers, also the most valuable. Like Stephen Curry, you don’t need to have the best stats to prove your case but your team’s success. That is one of the main factors that pulls Curry away from all the other candidates this year.

For the rest of the playoffs, fans will watch for Curry’s performances as he will try to cap off the great season with a championship as well.