Did Steph Curry Deserve the All-Star Game MVP? The Debate Rages On

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco ended with a predictable result—Steph Curry hoisting the MVP trophy in front of his home crowd. But was he truly the most deserving player?

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum put up superior stats, scoring 21 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting, compared to Curry’s 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting. In the championship game, Tatum outscored Curry again, dropping 15 points to Curry’s 12. Yet, when the final whistle blew, it was the Warriors superstar taking home the hardware.

The Case for Curry

Curry’s impact on the game extended beyond the box score. His dazzling half-court shot was the most memorable moment of the night, and his deep threes electrified the crowd. The All-Star Game has never been about pure stats—it’s about entertainment, and Curry delivered in a way that few can.

There’s also the unspoken rule of All-Star MVPs: when the game is played in a superstar’s home arena, the award often leans their way. It’s happened before, and it happened again in San Francisco. If the game were in Boston, Tatum might have walked away with the trophy without much debate.

The Case for Tatum

Tatum had the better statistical night, and for a game that already lacks real defense and intensity, shouldn’t the best performer be rewarded? His efficiency was unmatched, and he was the driving force in the championship game.

His trainer, Drew Hanlen, even took to social media to call out the snub, adding fuel to the argument that Tatum has been overlooked before—most notably in the 2024 NBA Finals MVP discussion.

Does All-Star MVP Even Matter?

At the end of the day, the bigger debate isn’t whether Tatum was robbed—it’s whether the All-Star MVP award holds any real weight. The All-Star Game is more spectacle than competition, and the MVP often feels more like a narrative-driven decision than a true recognition of performance.

If the NBA All-Star Game ever returns to Boston, one thing is certain: either Tatum or Jaylen Brown will be the overwhelming favourites to win MVP. But if history is any indication, Tatum might need an even bigger performance to overcome the hometown advantage that worked against him in San Francisco.

So, did Curry deserve the MVP? It depends on what you value—stats or spectacle.