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Toronto Raptors: Where does Kawhi Leonard rank in the M.V.P race?

By Thomas Valentine

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3. Steph Curry

41 Games Played/29.6 PPG/5.1 RPG/5.4 APG/66.6 TS%

After a shaky start to the season, the Golden State Warriors finally have the ball rolling. Winners of 11 straight games and a 12-1 record in January, the Warriors have reclaimed the number one seed in the West and now look to hold onto that spot up until the end of the season.

The leader of their revitalization, as always, is two-time MVP, Steph Curry. Despite missing 11 games this season, a run in where the Warriors went 5-6, Curry has had another elite season as an all-around team player, what stands out though is his incredible shooting numbers.

Curry averages 43-percent on eight three-point attempts per game throughout his career. This year, Curry is taking a career-high 11.5 three-pointers per game, averaging a lofty 45-percent. There isn’t a better volume shooter in the league today, nor has there ever been a better shooter. Period. His range is limitless, averaging 50-percent from three between 30-35 feet. Wow.

Coming off of screens, Curry is a devastating shooter. In scenarios where he takes zero dribbles before taking a shot, he’s averaging an effective field-goal percentage of 62-percent. Taking into account that just under half of his shots come where he takes zero dribbles, Curry is proving that he can be an effective shooter in any scenario.

It’s not just his impact as a shooter that makes the Warriors click. Teams get into the habit of chasing Curry around screens continuously, eventually bamboozling themselves into a mix-up on a switch, Curry will either end up dragging two defenders with him, leaving a man wide open for the shot or they’ll both switch off and leave Curry wide open. His off the ball movement is unparalleled.

Placing fifth in ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus and second, in qualified point guards, Steph Curry has advanced statistics on his side as he hunts for his third M.V.P award. Without him, the Warriors are great. But with him, the Warriors are the most unstoppable force in the NBA.

Probability of winning: If his shooting numbers remain out of this world, who knows?

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