Injured Warriors center Marquese Chriss joined the NBC Sports Bay Area broadcast Monday night and had the perfect reaction to a 3-pointer by Steph Curry.
Steph Curry is averaging 34.5 points and 5.4 assists over the Warriors' last 10 games, while shooting 58 percent overall, 51.2 percent from deep and 95.7 percent from the free throw line.
His off-the-charts play has vaulted him firmly into the NBA MVP conversation.
But he still remains outside the top-three or top-four on most people's way-too-early ballots because Golden State currently is in eighth place in the Western Conference.
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ESPN's Zach Lowe and The Athletic's John Hollinger on Tuesday's episode of "The Lowe Post" podcast revealed they both have Curry at No. 5 right now.
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This is what they had to say about the only unanimous MVP in NBA history:
Golden State Warriors
Hollinger: "The one guy who is maybe challenging to be in that group -- and it's hard because team success hasn't been as strong -- is Curry. He's had moments this year where you just giggle. You're like, 'OK. This guy is still like completely freak-from-outer-space good.'
"The places he shoots from, the shots he makes inside the paint, the technical ball-handling ability -- some of the stuff he does is still just so ridiculous. And it's carrying a team that really doesn't have a lot of offense outside of him.
"Curry is getting all the defensive attention and he's still putting up these monstrous numbers."
Lowe: "He would be the fifth player on my ballot if the season ended today. He would edge out Dame [Damian Lillard] and Luka [Doncic] and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and [Kevin} Durant for that fifth spot.
"They are one team when Curry plays, and when he sits -- they're like an old-fashioned '90s team. They're just a completely different team. He has been absolutely lights out."
Speaking of "shots he makes inside the paint," this just is bonkers:
The guy is dominating at all levels and somehow continues to get better and better.
Lastly -- Hollinger busted out his comedic chops.
Ouch.
D'Angelo Russell has missed four of the Minnesota Timberwolves' last five games (and played less than six minutes in the other) because of a leg injury, and it's unclear when he will return.
RELATED: McCollum reacts to amazing chemistry between Steph, Draymond
And with the T-Wolves boasting a league-worst record (7-20), the 2021 top-three protected first-rounder (which becomes unprotected in 2022) they owe the Warriors is looking more valuable by the day.
But to close this out -- yes, Steph Curry is incredible and the three-time NBA champion is a legitimate MVP candidate.
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