MVP Picks for 2016 NBA Finals After Game 6 [POLL] – It's Lebron James vs. Stephen Curry: James' Second Straight 41pts, Curry Gets Ejected

Lebron James distances himself from the pack in the Finals MVP race

By Allen Marcon, CP Contributor Friday, June 17, 2016

LeBron James performed magnificently scoring 41 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and recording 11 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 115 to 101 in game 6 of the 2016 NBA finals. The series now moves to Golden State Warriors' turf, the Oracle Arena in Oakland, for the seasons' final match - Game 7.

The basketball world watched how LeBron James and co. figured out the Warriors for the second-straight time and how they saved their season and championship hopes for Cleveland who hasn't clinched any major sports championship title since December of 1964.

With the series tied at three games all, the momentum in the series has clearly shifted in favor Cleveland. The same could be true for the race for the MVP of the finals.

Lebron James

James has clearly distanced himself from the rest of the candidates for NBA Finals MVP after Game 6. He scored a second-straight 41 points in game 6 16-27 in shooting percentage despite Draymond Green's return to the lineup for Golden State. However, the biggest asset that gives James the edge in voting has been his defensive play.

James dominated both ends of the court. This was best shown when he completely blocked Stephen Curry when the Golden State Guard tried for a layup late in the fourth quarter.

"One more game left," James said according to AP via NBA.com. "I'll play it anywhere."

Stephen Curry

The league's MVP Stephen Curry had a decent night with 30 points. However the biggest question is whether the All Star guard is showing signs of cracking underneath the pressure. Curry was clearly not himself in game 6 with his normally on point jump shot missing in the first half. In fact Golden State was held to only 11 points for the first quarter.

Curry also fouled out in game 6 and was also ejected after he threw his mouth piece into the stands, hitting a fan. While the technical foul should not garner Curry a suspension for game 7, it will garner a heavy fine by league officials.

When asked about the ejection Coach Kerr said, "He gets six fouls called on him, three of them were absolutely ridiculous. As the MVP of the league, we're talking about these touch fouls in the NBA Finals. I'm happy he threw his mouthpiece."

Curry also shared his thoughts on fouling out. "I didn't think I fouled either Kyrie or LeBron. It was obviously frustrating fouling out in the fourth quarter of a clinching game and not being out there with my teammates. So it got the best of me, but I'll be all right for the next game."

POLL

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson was all but invisible during the first half of game 6, he did however end up with 25 points for the night. Thompson did what he could in the second half of the game but it seemed that the team as a whole could not get anything going offensively.

Thompson in the last two games has averaged better stats but it has not equaled into wins for Golden State. At this point his chance at winning MVP is small as compared to James and Curry.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving was once again excellent in game 6 scoring 23 points. While he didn't repeat his 41 points like James, Irving is showing that he and James have the talent to win this series.

Once again if not for the play of both James and Curry, Irving would be a leading candidate for the MVP. Irving would be placed third on the list after 6 games according to this writer.

The race for the MVP of the 2016 NBA Finals is as close as it gets, game 7 will be played on Golden State's home court and is scheduled for Sunday June 19.

Kyrie Irving was once again very good in game 6 scoring 23 points. While not as much as his 41 point game 5, Irving is showing that he and James have the talent to win this series.

Once again if not for the play of both James and Curry Irving would be a leading candidate for the MVP, however after the play of James in game 6 it seems Irving is a distant second place at best.

The race for the MVP of the 2016 NBA Finals is as close as it gets, game 7 will be played on Golden State's home court and is scheduled for Sunday June 19.