I still remember the 2016 NBA season like it was yesterday, and honestly, it feels like one of those years that just keeps giving whenever basketball historians look back. The MVP race that year was particularly fascinating, not just because of the incredible individual performances, but because of what it represented in the broader context of NBA history. Stephen Curry didn't just win his second consecutive MVP award—he did so unanimously, becoming the first player ever to achieve that feat in league history. Every single voter had him as their first choice, which tells you something about how dominant he was that season. When I look at historical NBA seasons, 2016 stands out not just for Curry's shooting display but for how it changed the way teams approach offensive spacing and three-point shooting altogether.
The numbers Curry put up were simply absurd. He became the first player to average 30 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field, 45% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. I mean, 402 three-pointers in a single season? That shattered his own previous record of 286, and watching him pull up from well beyond the arc became a regular occurrence. I recall thinking at the time that we were witnessing something that would fundamentally shift how young players developed their games. The emphasis on long-range shooting exploded after that season, and you can trace much of today's positionless basketball back to what Curry accomplished that year. His true shooting percentage was 66.9%, which is just insane for a guard handling the ball as much as he did.
What made Curry's MVP season even more remarkable was the team success. The Golden State Warriors finished with a 73-9 record, breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' legendary mark of 72-10. I've always believed that team context matters immensely in MVP voting, and leading a team to the best regular-season record in NBA history certainly didn't hurt his case. The Warriors' offensive system was perfectly tailored to Curry's skills, with constant motion and screens designed to free him for those quick-release threes. Defenses had to account for him the moment he crossed half-court, which created driving lanes for his teammates. It was basketball poetry in motion, and as someone who's studied NBA systems for years, I can confidently say we hadn't seen anything quite like it before.
Now, you might wonder why I'm bringing up basketball history when the reference material mentions something about Cone supervising Gilas practice. Well, it reminds me of how coaching philosophies often transcend specific leagues or contexts. Tim Cone, one of the most successful coaches in PBA history, represents that same level of strategic innovation in Filipino basketball that Steve Kerr brought to the Warriors. When Cone mentioned he would supervise Gilas practice if the Gin Kings didn't make the all-Filipino finals, it made me think about how MVP-caliber players often need that kind of coaching flexibility and innovation to truly shine. Curry benefited enormously from Kerr's willingness to reinvent offensive schemes, much like how certain PBA stars have flourished under Cone's triangle offense. The parallel isn't perfect, but the principle holds—great players need great coaching systems to achieve historic seasons.
The 2016 season was also historic because of the players Curry beat out for the award. Kawhi Leonard finished second in voting, having developed into an two-way force for the San Antonio Spurs, while LeBron James continued his incredible longevity with another stellar season. But neither stood a chance against Curry's narrative and statistical dominance. I'll admit I had some personal bias—I've always been drawn to players who transform how the game is played rather than just excelling within existing paradigms. Curry didn't just put up numbers; he changed the geometry of the court itself, forcing defenses to extend beyond their comfort zones in ways we'd never seen before.
Looking back, what often gets overlooked about that MVP season is how Curry maintained his efficiency despite increased defensive attention. Teams tried everything—blitzing pick-and-rolls, switching everything, even face-guarding him 30 feet from the basket. None of it worked consistently. His handles were too tight, his release too quick, and his basketball IQ too high. I remember analyzing game footage from that season and being struck by how he'd often make the right read before the defense had even fully committed. That level of anticipation is what separates good players from historic ones.
The unanimous MVP vote itself sparked some interesting debates in basketball circles. Some argued that other players like LeBron had been more deserving of unanimous selection in previous years, while others contended that Curry's season was truly unique in its combination of individual brilliance and team success. Personally, I fall into the latter camp. The 73-win record provided contextual evidence that complemented his statistical case in a way we hadn't seen before. It wasn't just that Curry was putting up video game numbers—his team was achieving historic results alongside those numbers.
As I reflect on that 2016 season years later, it's clear that Curry's MVP was a watershed moment for the league. The three-point revolution that he spearheaded has only accelerated, with teams now regularly taking 40+ attempts from beyond the arc. The style of play that seemed revolutionary in 2016 has become mainstream, and Curry's influence can be seen at every level of basketball today. From youth leagues to professional competitions overseas, everyone wants to shoot like Steph. His MVP season wasn't just about individual recognition—it was about the dawn of a new basketball era, one that continues to evolve today. And that, to me, is what makes it truly historic.