Houston Rockets guard James Harden. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets guard James Harden was named Most Valuable Player at the first NBA Players’ Awards, beating out Stephen Curry.
Curry, the sharpshooting guard who led the Golden State Warriors past LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals in June for the franchise’ first championship in 40 years, finished 262 points and 75 first-place votes ahead of Harden to win the traditional MVP award — voted on by select media members — for the 2014-15 season.
Harden beat out Curry for the NBA players association’s Players’ Awards honors broadcast by BET on Tuesday night. James was among the notable players who didn’t attend Sunday’s taping.
Harden emerged from backstage at the Rio’s Penn & Teller Theater in Las Vegas to accept the trophy after not sitting in the audience for the other award announcements.
“To my peers, I appreciate this vote,” Harden said. “It means a lot.”
Curry was named by players as this year’s “Clutch Performer” and “Hardest to Guard.” Curry and teammates Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli also accepted the award for the best home-court advantage, which went to the reigning champions’ Oracle Arena.
James, who finished third in traditional MVP voting, won the award for “Player you secretly wish was on your team.”
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was named by the players as the “Coach you most want to play for.”
Ray Allen was named “Man of the Year” — receiving a video tribute from President Barack Obama that left Allen emotional.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts and union president Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers organized the event.
