OAKLAND – Feeling he was robbed of the MVP award last season, James Harden simply won’t let it go, revisiting the topic again this week.
Steph Curry’s response Wednesday to Harden’s latest comments, which amounted to a vote for James Harden, was an understated mic drop.
“It doesn’t change what happened last year,” Curry, who actually took home the hardware, said after Warriors practice.
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The Warriors last season won the NBA Finals, going through Harden’s Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.
Harden in an interview with NBA.com reiterated his belief that he’s the best player in the league and, furthermore, was a more deserving winner of the MVP award.
[RELATED: Harden: Not knocking Steph, but 'I deserved the MVP' last year]
"There (are) so many factors,” Harden said. “I led the league in total points scored, minutes played. Like I said, I'm not taking anything away from Steph, but I felt I deserved the Most Valuable Player. That stays with me."
Golden State Warriors
Curry didn’t so much as revisit the topic as search for reasons why Harden did.
“I don’t know,” Curry said. “Different guys find different ways of motivating themselves. I’ve never been one to just . . . I’m obviously confident in what I do, and I know he’s confident in what he does. It might come out in a different way.
“I try not to do a lot of talking, especially (regarding) things that have passed. Obviously, you’ve got to motivate yourself and I’m sure he’s motivated this year to do some special things. I’m the same way.”
Curry won the award with 1,198 total votes and 100 votes for first place. Harden finished second, with 936, including 25 first-place votes. Curry had 26 second place votes, while Harden had 87. LeBron James finished third in the balloting.
Curry’s final argument, three weeks after the award was announced, came as the Warriors ousted the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Curry finished with game-highs in points (26), assists (six, tied with teammate Andre Iguodala) and steals (five). Harden totaled 14 points on 2-of-11 shooting while committing 12 turnovers, a playoff record.