As if his trophy case isn't full enough, Golden State Warriors superstar sharpshooter Stephen Curry received yet another honor to add to his still-growing basketball legacy after the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) announced that the NBA's two-time Most Valuable Player is the newest winner of the Magic Johnson Award.
“Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has won the 2023-24 Magic Johnson Award, which honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans, read the statement released by the Professional Basketball Writers Association on Wednesday.
“Off the court, Curry consistently fostered an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness with reporters who cover the NBA,” the statement added.
This is not the first time Curry won the said award. He first took it home back in 2016 — the same year he bagged his second league MVP award. He now joins an extremely exclusive club of multi-Magic Johnson Award winners that features Damian Lillard, who won it in 2017 and 2020, and Shane Battier, who took them home in 2007 and 2013.
Curry's latest Magic Johnson Award, which was first won by Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks way back in 2000,only further proves that the Warriors point guard is not just one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA, but also among the humblest superstars. To have two NBA MVPs and a pair of Magic Johnson Awards greatly underscore his impressive abilities on the court while still being a beloved figure among the media and fans.
Curry emerged as the award's winner from an excellent group of five finalists which also includes Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls.
Stephen Curry continues to collect awards despite Warriors struggles
Although the Warriors were not able to make it to the NBA Playoffs this season, as they got struck out by the Sacramento Kings in the Play-in Tournament, there is no denying the excellent play of Curry on the court. In the 2023-24 NBA season, Curry averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while making 45.0 percent of his shots from the field and 40.8 percent of his attempts from his favorite, the 3-point country.
His shooting numbers are mostly down compared to what he had a season before, but he remains a deadly offensive force that constantly gives opposing defenses a headache. Amid his team's struggles, Curry still was good enough to earn his 10th career All-Star nod in the 2023-24 campaign.
Curry, who turned 36 last March, has two more years left on his current extension contract that he signed with the Warriors for $215.35 million back in 2021. The dream is still there for Curry to add to his total of four NBA rings, but his window could be closing. At his age and with the current uncertainty of Golden State's roster, particularly with regard to Klay Thompson's future with the Dubs, Curry is at the stage where he's going to need more help in order to deliver another championship for the only franchise he's played so far in his NBA career.
Curry entered the NBA way back in 2009 when he was selected by the Warriors seventh overall in the first round of that year's draft.
