The MVP award is the most prestigious individual honor in all of basketball. It’s given to the player who has been deemed to have had the best season, regardless of team success or personal accolades. One MVP was awarded to Steve Nash after his career-best season with Phoenix Suns. Another was awarded to Karl Malone for his historic season with Utah Jazz. But how did these two players stack up against each other?
The steve nash mvp is a list of athletes that have been given the MVP award despite not being the best player on their team.
The MVP Award is a player’s highest regular-season accomplishment since it recognizes their performance throughout 82 games. This honor is awarded to not only the greatest player on their squad, but also the most influential player during the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo won back-to-back MVPs in 2019 and 2020, while Nikola Jokic was the most recent MVP.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earned the most MVP Awards in NBA history with six, but the great might have had more if he had received the number he deserved. Of course, Michael Jordan and LeBron James might have won the award every season of their careers, but voters are influenced by team prejudice and other variables like as a team’s narrative. The five most deserved MVPs in NBA history, as well as the player who should have won the award at the conclusion of the season, are listed below.
5. Kobe Bryant vs. Steve Nash (2005-2006)
Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Harry How
Steve Nash stats: 18.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 10.5 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game, 54-28 record
Stats for Kobe Bryant: 35.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game, 45-37 record
In 2005, Steve Nash deservedly won the MVP award after guiding the Phoenix Suns to a 62-win season and the best record in the league. Nash was at his best, directing one of the most impressive offensive displays we’ve ever seen. Nash, on the other hand, was one of the most deserved MVPs in NBA history a year later. Although voters obviously favored Steve Nash’s ball-handling, shooting, and passing, he had no business winning the MVP award over Kobe Bryant.
Bryant had to carry the Lakers on his own with no assistance on the roster (think Smush Parker and Kwame Brown) and scored 35.4 points per game to get one of the worst teams in the league to the playoffs. The Lakers had no business playing in the playoffs, but Bryant had a great season, which featured an 81-point performance, which may be the most amazing offensive accomplishment since Wilt dropped 100 points. If the greatest player in the game was given the MVP trophy in 2006, Bryant should have been a two-time MVP.
4. Michael Jordan vs. Karl Malone (1996-1997)
Karl Malone’s stats: 27.4 points per game, 9.9 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, 0.6 blocks per game, 64-18 record
Michael Jordan is a basketball player who was born in 29.6 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, 0.5 blocks per game, 69-13 record
In the 1997 season, Karl Malone was unquestionably the greatest big man in the league, but he should not have earned the MVP Award over Michael Jordan. Malone led the Jazz to the top record in the Western Conference, but the Chicago Bulls beat his team record. Malone had MVP statistics, but he was no match for Michael Jordan, the greatest player on the planet.
His Airness led the Bulls to a 69-win season by averaging more points and steals per game. A winning percentage of 84.1 percent while leading the league in scoring nearly usually results in an MVP Honor, but voters may have grown tired of Michael Jordan receiving the award. Because of his long-term dominance in the NBA, voters undoubtedly felt Malone deserved an MVP Award, but it makes The Mailman one of the most worthy MVP winners in NBA history.
3. Jerry West vs. Willis Reed (1969-1970)
Willis Reed has a 60-22 record with 21.7 points per game, 13.9 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game.
Jerry West’s stats: 31.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 7.5 assists per game, and a 46-36 record
Willis Reed is one of the greatest winners in Knicks history, having won two titles and two Finals MVP awards in 1970 and 1973. Having the greatest record in the NBA helps a player’s chances of winning the MVP award, but not when Jerry West was at his best. West was forced to lead a Lakers squad that was without Wilt Chamberlain (who only played 12 games) and Elgin Baylor (missed 28 games as a 35-year old).
West led the NBA in scoring, more than making up for the absence of his two superstars. “The Logo” also led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, when they were defeated by Reed and the Knicks in seven games. West’s ability to lead the Lakers into the playoffs with the second best record in the Western Conference seemed incredible, but he accomplished it. Jerry West never earned an MVP award before retiring, but the 1970 season should have been his first.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Dave Cowens (1972-1973)
Dave Cowens has a 68-14 record with 20.5 points per game, 16.2 rebounds per game, and 4.1 assists per game.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a 60-22 record with 30.2 points per game, 16.1 rebounds per game, and 5.0 assists per game.
Dave Cowens is a worthy Hall of Famer and one of his generation’s greatest big men, but he should not have earned the MVP Award over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kareem has the most MVP Awards of any player, but he should have earned at least seven. In 1973, Abdul-Jabbar was on another level, leading the Bucks to the best record in the Western Conference (Milwaukee was in the Western Conference in 1973).
Kareem had a higher point and assist average than Cowens, despite the Bucks winning 8 fewer games. Clearly, team record should not be the only criterion for selecting an MVP, since Kareem was unquestionably the greatest player in the game at the time. In one of his finest seasons, Milwaukee’s superstar led the league in win-shares (21.9) and was the game’s most dominating two-way player.
1. Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell (1961-1962)
Bleacher Report is the source of this information.
Bill Russell stats: 18.9 points per game, 23.6 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, 60-20 record
Wilt Chamberlain’s stats: 50.4 points per game, 25.7 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 49-31 record
In 1962, Bill Russell was the top player on the league’s best team, a criteria that usually results in an MVP Award. The 1962 season, however, was different because Wilt Chamberlain put up some of the most incredible statistics we’ve ever seen. Wilt scored 50.4 points per game and 25.7 rebounds per game (really!) in 80 games while leading the Philadelphia Warriors to the NBA’s third best record in just his third season.
Wilt Chamberlain put up statistics that no other player has ever matched, and he is unlikely to be matched again. Wilt “The Stilt” Johnson had the best statistical season in NBA history, scoring 100 points in a single game and 42 points in the All-Star Game. Wilt should have won the MVP Award in 1962 and retired with more than four MVP Awards on his resume based solely on his dominance.
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