Stephen Curry Named AP 2015 Male Athlete of the Year

Steph Curry did. Curry joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Larry Bird as the only basketball players in history to earn the honor.

“He is a special player, a special talent, a special person more than anything, and I think it’s great for our league”, LeBron James said, per Spears.

Following the game, reporters mentioned Jackson’s comments (out of context) to Curry who seemed to laugh it off. And by going off the quote alone, without the dialogue that occurred before or after, it’s easy to see why many, including the Warriors, took the comment as a shot towards the games hottest star. Both teams had something to prove and the game did not disappoint.

He beat out golfer Jordan Spieth who won two majors (and placed within the top four in the two others) and horse American Pharoah who won the Triple Crown (the first since 1978).

“It got the build-up and it nearly felt like the finals”, said Curry, comparing the atmosphere to last June’s championship series.

“I wish he would have phrased it just a little bit differently”.

Even his intricate warmup routine has become a show for fans who get out early or even sometimes on TV pregame shows.

The Warriors got off to a NBA-record 24-game winning streak to start this season before losing. “The 6’3” guard broke his own single-season National Basketball Association record by hitting 286 three-pointers in 2014-15, his third consecutive year leading the league in threes. “I didn’t think he could get that much better from previous year but I do think he’s gotten considerably better, which is quite a feat when you’re the reigning MVP”.

Curry walked without a limp Saturday, the same day he was named Male Athlete of the Year by The Associated Press. The Warriors improved to 28-1, including a flawless 14-0 home record.

During the broadcast of Friday’s 2015 NBA Finals rematch between the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers on ABC, Jackson discussed the way he believes Curry is hindering the development of aspiring ballers.

Hours before the Cavaliers’ trip to Oracle Arena on Friday – a game in which they lost 89-83 – James reiterated his place in the National Basketball Association.