Steph Curry ‘surprised’ Mark Jackson calls James Harden MVP

Steph Curry may not admit his feelings were hurt that his former coach Mark Jackson did not support him in MVP talks, but he definitely was disappointed to hear about the ESPN analyst’s pick.

On Wednesday, Jackson was asked during a radio interview with Dan Patrick to cast a vote in the MVP race. He gave arguments for all the candidates and settled on James Harden. Warriors center Andrew Bogut responded by taking a shot at Jackson. When asked Friday for his response, Curry didn’t slight Jackson, but he did express clear disappointment.

“It was surprising,” Curry told the media via the San Jose Mercury News. “It didn’t really hurt my feelings because it’s not like he was actually casting a vote officially. But it was just very surprising.

“It’s his opinion, obviously. He’s probably been watching the league. People are going to ask what he thinks, especially (with) his ties to the Warriors organization and myself specifically. Surprised he said that, but it is what it is.”

Part of what disappoints Curry is how his relationship with Jackson factors in. When Jackson was under siege and his job status was in question, Curry always defended the coach (when he wasn’t dunking on him). He thought that would have bought him some support in the debate.

“Obviously, I wasn’t shy about trying to defend him last year when things were rumbling outside of our locker room,” said Curry, who then sought possible motivations for Jackson’s words.

“For him, it’s kind of a different situation. I don’t know if he was thinking it was going to be a big ‘homer’ kind of deal if he raves about myself, or if he wants to detach himself from the organization. But it’s just his opinion and we’ll roll with it.”

Curry has been awesome this season and is a serious MVP candidate, but so are Harden and LeBron James. I probably would go with Harden too if I had to make a choice, though I would still feel Curry is completely deserving if he wins it.