Warriors star Steph Curry accepts NBA MVP award

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry was officially named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, and he was clearly humbled by the honor.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "It's still surreal because I've watched the NBA for a very long time and I've seen this moment every year. And to kinda be on the other side, looking out, is wild."

Curry received the Maurice Podoloff Trophy in a packed hotel ballroom below Golden State's downtown Oakland practice facility. He shook his head in disbelief as he was announced as the winner of the league's top individual honor.

"There were obviously good times and bad times. Times I wanted to shut it down. Times where you realize that all the hard work you put into it was worth it," Curry said. "It just made me realize how blessed and thankful I really am to be in this position."

Curry received 100 of 130 first-place votes for a total of 1,198 points from a panel of 129 writers and broadcasters, along with the fan vote on the NBA's website. Houston's James Harden had 25 first-place votes and 936 points. Cleveland's LeBron James, a four-time MVP, got five first-place votes and 552 points.

Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (352 points) finished fourth and New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis (203 points) was fifth.

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Curry's family informed him of the news at his house after Golden State's win over Memphis in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Sunday. Curry, pulled into a room by his basketball-playing brother, Seth, opened the door to see everyone wearing personalized MVP T-shirts, holding cameras and sporting "the cheesiest smiles you could ever imagine."

"It was a great moment that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Curry said.

Curry was joined on stage by Warriors coach Steve Kerr, general manager Bob Myers and his teammates - praising each of them individually. He got choked up talking about his pregnant wife, Ayesha, and their 2-year-old daughter, Riley, who sat in the front row with the rest of his family.

"You are my backbone," Curry said to his wife. "You've allowed me to do what I do, to focus on basketball and my career and still have a family. The sacrifices you make are unbelievable. I love you so much and I can't thank you enough for just being there for me, you know, day in and day out."

The Warriors point guard then got very emotional talking to his father, NBA star Dell Curry.

"Pops, you're the example of what a true professional is on and off the court," he said. "I remember a lot of your career. And to be able to follow in your footsteps, it means a lot to me. This is special. I'm really proud of what you were able to do in your career. And I don't take that for granted at all."

"To have your son, you know, talk about what you mean in his life, any parent's gonna get emotional," Dell said. "Especially a time like this, you know, when he's considered the best player in the league this year."

Despite his famous name, most major colleges didn't offer Curry a scholarship because they thought he was too small. Curry proved them all wrong, going from a shooting guard who dazzled at Davidson during the NCAA Tournament to a polished pro point guard who can shoot, dribble and distribute with the best of them.

Curry carried the top-seeded Warriors to a franchise-record 67 wins and surpassed his own NBA record for most 3-pointers in a season. He's the franchise's first MVP since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960, when the Warriors played in Philadelphia.

During the nearly two-hour long news conference, Curry also thanked the team's fans, "Speaking of Dub Nation we got the best fans in the league, man," he said. "We want to make you guys proud by bringing home the championship."

Curry is proving to be an MVP both on the court and off. He won a brand new 2016 Kia Sorento CUV and immediately donated it to the East Oakland Youth Development Center. He says he hopes the center can make the most out of the donation.

The East Oakland Youth Development Center's mission is to develop the social and leadership capacities of youth and young adults so they're prepared for employment, higher education, and leadership opportunities. And he is a great leader there.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.