Curry on MVP award: A minor checkpoint on championship mission

Stephen Curry added another milestone to his and the Golden State Warriors' season for the ages on Monday, accepting the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2014-15 NBA MVP.

Curry, who was compared to former two-time MVPs Tim Duncan and Steve Nash by head coach Steve Kerr earlier in the press conference, thanked a number of family members, teammates and Warriors staffers in a heartfelt acceptance speech.

The 27-year-old became emotional when discussing his father, 16-year NBA veteran Dell Curry, saying that he was honored to follow in the footsteps of a true professional.

He did add, however, that the assumption his own rise to superstardom was easy because he had an NBAer for a father, "couldn't be farther from the truth."

Curry reminisced about often being the smallest player on the court growing up, and the need to completely reconstruct what used to be an ugly, catapult-like shot as a teenager - a motion that was necessary at the time because he wasn't strong enough to shoot naturally over his head.

The wiry Davidson product also reminded everyone that he wasn't a highly touted high-school prospect.

"I've enjoyed this year more than any other," Curry said of his sixth professional season, which saw him average 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and two steals while leading the Warriors to one of the 10 best records in league history at 67-15.

Curry added that he believed the team deserved two additional individual awards for Kerr (Coach of the Year) and Draymond Green (Defensive Player of the Year), who both finished as runners-up in those respective votes.

Curry's speech was a model of humility and gratitude, as he went on to thank the team's equipment manager and head of security before individually thanking each of his teammates, as Kevin Durant did in his memorable 2014 MVP address.

He saved a special thank you for Splash Brother Klay Thompson.

"When I suit up and see No. 11 on the court with me, I feel good about our chances," Curry said, adding that he hopes he and Thompson remain teammates for a long time and accomplish their goal of becoming the greatest backcourt tandem of all time.

Curry also praised the rowdy Oracle Arena crowd, calling Warriors fans the best in the NBA before reaffirming that the team's ultimate goal remains bringing those devoted - and long-suffering - fans a championship.

"This is a minor checkpoint on that mission," said Curry of his MVP triumph.

Curry, who spent a great deal of time talking about his passion and dedication to his faith, concluded his speech by saying he hopes he can inspire others to always be themselves while remaining humble and grateful.