The last MVP before Curry? Mr. Durant himself...
That got me wondering... When was the last time, if ever, that two MVPs joined forces in the middle of their careers?
The first thing I found was Karl Malone joining Shaquille O'Neal. However, Karl was well past his prime when he joined the Lakers. Being 40 years old and it ended up being his last season in the NBA.
Next thing I found was David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Robinson won an MVP in 1995 and retired in 2003. The Spurs drafted Tim Duncan in 1997 who ended up winning an MVP in 2002. So technically it was two MVP players played together. But not quite what I was looking for. It is not the same as two MVP players joining forces in the middle of their careers.
Next one I found was Charles Barkley at age 33 joining Hakeem Olajuwon at age 34. Barkley played his last 4 seasons there in Houston. This is close to the same, but 33 and 34 isn't quite the same as 27 year old Durant joining 28 year old Curry. Plus, Charles and Hakeem only had 2 MVPs between them. Curry and Durant will have had 3 (Curry with two and Durant with one).
Further down the NBA timeline I found Kareem Abdul-Jabber and Magic Johnson. However, much like the Robinson/Duncan scenario, Kareem was 39 going on 40 when Magic won his first MVP award.
What happened the year the 27 year-old reining MVP joined the 31 year-old Dr. J? It became what is now know as the legendary 1982-1983 76ers. Both Moses and Julius made all-NBA first team. Moses won the MVP (his 3rd) and the finals MVP. Moses was asked before the playoffs his prediction and he gave the famous response "Fo, fo, fo" (meaning all sweeps). Well... They did sweep the first round, won the next round in five games, and then swept the Lakers in the finals. So "Fo, five, fo" (which ended up being engraved into their championship rings).
If KD were to join the Warriors, I could see the same thing happening that happened over 30 years ago: Curry and Durant both making all-NBA first team, one of them winning MVP and finals MVP, and the Warriors avenging their loss to the Cavs in the finals.
I had to go back a bit...
The first thing I found was Karl Malone joining Shaquille O'Neal. However, Karl was well past his prime when he joined the Lakers. Being 40 years old and it ended up being his last season in the NBA.
Next thing I found was David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Robinson won an MVP in 1995 and retired in 2003. The Spurs drafted Tim Duncan in 1997 who ended up winning an MVP in 2002. So technically it was two MVP players played together. But not quite what I was looking for. It is not the same as two MVP players joining forces in the middle of their careers.
Next one I found was Charles Barkley at age 33 joining Hakeem Olajuwon at age 34. Barkley played his last 4 seasons there in Houston. This is close to the same, but 33 and 34 isn't quite the same as 27 year old Durant joining 28 year old Curry. Plus, Charles and Hakeem only had 2 MVPs between them. Curry and Durant will have had 3 (Curry with two and Durant with one).
Further down the NBA timeline I found Kareem Abdul-Jabber and Magic Johnson. However, much like the Robinson/Duncan scenario, Kareem was 39 going on 40 when Magic won his first MVP award.
Then I found it. The Perfect match. Moses Malone was 27 years old just like Durant when he joined a 31 year old "Dr. J" Julius Erving. Moses was a two time (and reigning) MVP just like Curry is and Dr. J was the last one to win an MVP before Moses just like Durant before Curry. The similarities are astonishing!
The 76ers had just lost in the finals the year before to Magic Johnson's and Kareem's Showtime Lakers.
What happened the year the 27 year-old reining MVP joined the 31 year-old Dr. J? It became what is now know as the legendary 1982-1983 76ers. Both Moses and Julius made all-NBA first team. Moses won the MVP (his 3rd) and the finals MVP. Moses was asked before the playoffs his prediction and he gave the famous response "Fo, fo, fo" (meaning all sweeps). Well... They did sweep the first round, won the next round in five games, and then swept the Lakers in the finals. So "Fo, five, fo" (which ended up being engraved into their championship rings).
The 76ers avenged themselves that year in the finals after they had lost to to the Lakers the year before. Just like the 76ers, the Warriors would most likely have a chance to avenge themselves against LeBron James and the Cavs.
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