Comparing 2016 Curry, 2017 Westbrook, 2018 Harden, And 2025 SGA MVP Seasons

Four former point guards had seasons that completely redefined what an MVP can be. In 2016, Stephen Curry didn’t just average 30 PPG; he led the Golden State Warriors to a historic 73-9 record and became the first-ever unanimous MVP. 

Fast-forward to 2017, when Russell Westbrook shattered expectations, pounding out a jaw-dropping triple-double average (31.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 10.4 APG) and swinging the MVP vote with pure chaos for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then came 2018, with James Harden orchestrating an offensive masterclass for the Houston Rockets, posting 30.4 PPG, 8.8 APG, and claiming MVP with flair. 

And now, raising the bar to unprecedented heights: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024-25 campaign. Leading the NBA in scoring (32.7 PPG) while averaging 6.4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, he didn’t just win MVP, he added Finals MVP and the title, then inked a record-setting supermax extension. 

This article dives deep into those four mythical seasons, comparing style, teammates, impact, and legacy. Buckle up, because you’re about to witness how each MVP season transcended stat lines that stamped basketball history.

Points Per Game (PPG)

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 32.7 PPG (4 Points)

2. Russell Westbrook - 31.6 PPG (3 Points)

3. James Harden - 30.4 PPG (2 Points)

4. Stephen Curry - 30.1 PPG (1 Point)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32.7 PPG in 2024-25 set a new career and league-high mark, barely outpacing Westbrook’s iconic 31.6 PPG triple-double MVP campaign. Harden’s 30.4 PPG during 2017-18 placed him comfortably at the top of the league, cementing his offensive dominance. Meanwhile, Curry’s 30.1 PPG in ’16 not only led the league but helped power Golden State to a historic 73-9 season.

While all four scorers crossed the 30-point threshold, the difference is in context: SGA and Westbrook maintained elite production across all facets, whereas Harden and Curry did so within more structured systems. Curry’s efficiency and team-first approach contrasted with Harden’s isolation-heavy volume game; Westbrook and SGA combined scoring with playmaking and energy, showcasing diverse paths to MVP-level offense.

Rebounds Per Game (RPG)

1. Russell Westbrook - 10.7 RPG (4 Points)

2. Stephen Curry - 5.4 RPG (3 Points)

3. James Harden - 5.4 RPG (3 Points)

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 5.0 RPG (2 Points)

Russell Westbrook stands in a league of his own, dominating the glass with a staggering 10.7 RPG in 2016-17, extraordinary for a point guard. Next come Curry and Harden, both pulling down around 5.4 boards a night, solid guard rebounding that consistently contributed to their teams’ possessions. 

SGA sits just behind them with a robust 5.0 RPG, anchoring his guard play with steady board presence. To his credit, Westbrook’s rebounding was part of his relentless triple-double charge, giving OKC extra possessions and momentum, and he blows everyone else out of the water.

Assists Per Game (APG)

1. Russell Westbrook - 10.4 APG (4 Points)

2. James Harden - 8.8 APG (3 Points)

3. Stephen Curry - 6.7 APG (2 Points)

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 6.4 APG (1 Point)

Westbrook again leads the pack with an absurd 10.4 APG, highlighting his unprecedented triple-threat season. Harden comes next with 8.8 APG - flirting with a triple-double but with an eye for creative distribution. 

SGA and Curry follow with 6.7 and 6.4 APG, respectively, both orchestrating their teams effectively, though playing within structured systems rather than pure statistical explosion. Curry’s rhythm and ball-handler flair made Golden State tick, but he wasn't as good a passer as Westbrook and Harden. SGA was mainly the scoring hub for the Thunder.

Steals Per Game (SPG)

1. Stephen Curry - 2.1 SPG (4 Points)

2. James Harden - 1.8 SPG (3 Points)

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 1.7 SPG (2 Points)

4. Russell Westbrook - 1.6 SPG (1 Point)

All four MVPs packed defensive flair, but each in their own style. Curry’s league-leading 2.1 steals per game in 2016 weren’t a fluke; they were the product of elite off-ball anticipation. Harden’s 1.8 SPG in 2018 reflected gritty on-ball defense, often sending a message to opposing point guards. 

SGA in 2025 offers a hybrid, slick hands, split-second reads, and timely timing, racking up 1.7 SPG while also torching defenses with scoring. Westbrook, despite his triple-double numbers in 2017, ranks just below defense-sharps on this list with 1.6 SPG, yet that still speaks volumes about his relentless energy and effort. 

Blocks Per Game (BPG)

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 1.0 (4 Points)

2. James Harden - 0.7 (3 Points)

3. Russell Westbrook - 0.4 (2 Points)

4. Stephen Curry - 0.2 (1 Point)

Shai flips the script; usually, guards aren’t seen as rim protectors, yet 2025 SGA swatted over one shot per game, showcasing his well-rounded defensive impact. Against perimeter mates, Harden knocked down more blocks (0.7 BPG) than most expected. He wasn't much of a defender on the perimeter, but was capable in the post.

Westbrook didn’t focus much on shot-blocking, but his energy kept him near the middle of the pack, with around 0.4 BPG, while Curry rounded out the list. His off-ball mobility helped him chip in, but blocks weren’t his domain.

Shooting Percentage (eFG%)

1. Stephen Curry - 63.0% (4 Points)

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 56.9% (3 Points)

3. James Harden - 54.1% (2 Points)

4. Russell Westbrook - 47.6% (1 Point)

Efficiency gods compete here. Curry’s pristine 63.0% eFG in 2016 was strong precision, razor-sharp shooting, and minimal wasted attempts. SGA’s stellar 56.9% eFG puts him ahead of ball-dominant scorers like Harden and Westbrook, combining high volume and surgical efficiency.

Harden ranks solidly at 54.1% in 2018, with smart shot selection and dominance in isolation ball. Westbrook’s 47.6% eFG in 2017 reflects his galloping offense, unmatched effort, but tempered by inefficient shot volume.

Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

1. Stephen Curry - 31.5 PER (4 Points)

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 30.7 PER (3 Points)

3. Russell Westbrook - 30.6 PER (2 Points)

4. James Harden - 29.8 PER (1 Point)

PER may be a black-box, but it loves efficiency. Curry’s lights-out 2016 puts him at the top; his all-around game yielded perhaps the highest single-season PER in recent memory. SGA follows suit, 32.7 PPG on 51.9% FG with strong role metrics gives him a PER of over 30.

Westbrook’s triple-double show slots him at 30.6; his raw stats help, but middling efficiency holds him just behind the top two. In last place, Harden’s MVP year was mega-productive, with 29.8 PER reflecting high-volume excellence but not quite on the level of the others.

Win/Loss Record (W/L Record)

1. Stephen Curry - 73-9 (4 Points)

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 68-14 (3 Points)

3. James Harden - 65-17 (2 Points)

4. Russell Westbrook - 47-35 (1 Point)

Gold standard: Curry and the 2015-16 Warriors rewrote history with 73 wins, unmatched in NBA lore. SGA’s Thunder weren’t far behind, finishing 68-14 and claiming the league’s best record in 2025.

Harden’s Rockets claimed dominance with roughly 65 wins in his MVP year, a stellar team showing. Westbrook’s 2017 season was individual perfection, but limited help meant OKC limped into the playoffs despite being over .500, revealing that his droptread dominion wasn’t enough to deliver full team success in the absence of Kevin Durant.

MVP Points In Season 

1. Stephen Curry - 1,310 (4 Points)

2. James Harden - 965 (3 Points)

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 913 (2 Points)

4. Russell Westbrook - 888 (1 Point)

Stephen Curry earned the first-ever unanimous MVP, perfect voting power in 2016. Harden followed with a dominant performance in 2018, racking up impeccable voting tallies. 

SGA’s win in 2025 carried massive weight; he topped ballots with 71 first-place votes, dethroning Jokic. Westbrook, though a dominant statistical force in 2017, didn’t capture the same voter near-unanimity; he won, but not with blind consensus.

Who Had The Best MVP Season?

1. Stephen Curry: 27 Points

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 24 Points

3. James Harden: 22 Points

4. Russell Westbrook: 19 Points

Curry’s 27-point haul on your scale tells the story; it wasn’t just about the numbers. He reshaped the game. His unanimous MVP season wasn’t a popularity contest; it was a manifesto: 30.1 PPG, 2.14 SPG, participation in the 50-40-90 club, and steering the Warriors to a historic 73-9 record. 

SGA’s 24 points on your chart are more than consolation; they reflect one of the most complete MVP seasons ever. He led the league in scoring (32.7 PPG), delivered top-tier efficiency (51.9% eFG), anchored his team to 68 wins, and secured the Finals MVP on the way to Oklahoma City’s first championship.

Harden’s 22? That marks a strong MVP case, 30.4 PPG, 8.8 APG, and a lethal offensive symphony that powered Houston’s 65-win season. Westbrook, at 19, dropped triple-doubles nightly, but OKC’s middling record (47-35) and inefficiencies dimmed the sheen on a historic individual run.

So yes, Curry’s reign sits at the pinnacle, with unanimous voter backing, league-wide impact, record-breaking team success, and a seismic shift in how basketball was played. But SGA’s all-around brilliance and ultimate team triumph make his 2025 campaign the modern echo of greatness.