NBA MVP Award Guide
The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given to the league's most outstanding player in regular season play. The winner is selected by 100 media members who cast votes based on stats, team success, leadership, and overall impact on the game.
Table of Content:
- Introduction to the NBA MVP Award
- Criteria for NBA MVP Selection
- Notable MVP Winners
- NBA History - All-Time MVP Winners
- NBA MVP Award Ceremony and Tradition
- NBA MVP Voting Process
- NBA MVP Award FAQs
To be awarded the NBA MVP is the ultimate achievement a basketball player can hope to claim. So far, only one Canadian has achieved this, Victoria’s Steve Nash, who has won valuable player award not once, but twice, claiming the title in both 2005 and 2006. Let’s take a look at how the NBA’s top player award gets decided and find out who other MVP legends are.
Introduction to the NBA MVP Award
The NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player) is one of basketball's highest honours, recognizing the league's most outstanding player during the regular season. Since 1956 the award has celebrated the exceptional skills and contributions of legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and most recently, stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Criteria for NBA MVP Selection
The NBA MVP selection process considers several key criteria. We’ll start with stats. In today’s data-driven world, there’s certainly no shortage of basketball metrics from basic points scored to assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks. These are all taken into account and players who excel on all fronts tend to emerge as strong contenders. But stats alone do not make an MVP! Intangible factors like leadership and clutch performance and overall impact on the game also influence MVP voting.
Beyond individual metrics, another factor is the impact a player has on their team's success. As one would suspect, a high win-loss record is favoured in MVP voting. Efficiency ratings are also factored in, including PER (Player Efficiency Rating) and TS% (True Shooting Percentage). Players who can maintain high levels of production while being efficient with their shots are highly valued in the MVP race.
Ultimately, the NBA MVP award goes to the player who is deemed most valuable to their team based on a combination of individual traits, stats, and team success.
Notable MVP Winners
Legends of the Past
Michael Jordan
One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan dominated the league in the 80s and 90s during the Chicago Bulls reign. Through 15 seasons, Jordan won six MVPs, one for each of his six NBA Championship titles. He played 14 NBA All-Star Games, won the 1988 NBA Defensive of the Year award, holds 10 scoring titles, two Olympic Golds, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Off the court, his Air Jordan Nike partnership changed athletic marketing and sneaker culture.
Magic Johnson
At 6’9”, Magic Johnson revolutionized the point guard position with his passing, size, and court vision. Winner of three MVP awards, Johnson was renowned for his leaderboard stats and playmaking during the Los Angeles Lakers ‘Showtime’ era during which they won five NBA Championships.
Larry Bird
Larry Bird and Canada’s own Steve Nash are often compared in terms of their passing ability and leadership on the court. Bird, a forward, was known for his incredible shooting and scoring ability which helped him win three consecutive MVP awards in the mid-1980s. His versatile skills and clutch play helped lead the Boston Celtics' to three NBA Championships.
Modern Icons
LeBron James
A four-time NBA Champion, 17-time All-Star, and four-time NBA MVP winner, LeBron James is a true modern legend. His on-court success has been matched financially with his total career earnings setting records as it surpasses $1 billion. You read that right! In 2020, LeBron added to his fortune, signing a two-year contract extension with the Lakers worth $85 million.
Stephen Curry
As of the 2023-2024 season, Steph Curry’s salary is top of the list for a third consecutive year, thanks to his signing of a $215 million extension contract with the Golden State Warriors. Known for revolutionizing the game with his deep three-point shots, Steph Curry has won two MVP awards, including the first unanimous MVP in NBA history, and holds the record for the most three-pointers made in a single season.
Kevin Durant
At 6'10", Kevin Durant is known for his scoring versatility and efficiency. Durant has won one MVP award and is regarded as one of the most difficult players to defend due to his combination of height, shooting, and ball-handling skills. Currently with the Phoenix Suns, Durant has played for Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets during his 17 seasons and counting career.
NBA History - All-Time MVP Winners
| Player Name | Team | Number of MVP Titles | Years when the MVP Title was won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Pettit | St. Louis Hawks | 2 | 1956, 1959 |
| Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | 1 | 1957 |
| Bill Russell | Boston Celtics | 5 | 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia Warriors/76ers | 4 | 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968 |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals | 1 | 1964 |
| Wes Unseld | Baltimore Bullets | 1 | 1969 |
| Willis Reed | New York Knicks | 1 | 1970 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Milwaukee Bucks/Los Angeles Lakers | 6 | 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 |
| Dave Cowens | Boston Celtics | 1 | 1973 |
| Bob McAdoo | Buffalo Braves | 1 | 1975 |
| Julius Erving | Philadelphia 76ers | 1 | 1981 |
| Moses Malone | Houston Rockets/Philadelphia 76ers | 3 | 1979, 1982, 1983 |
| Larry Bird | Boston Celtics | 3 | 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | 3 | 1987, 1989, 1990 |
| Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 5 | 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998 |
| Charles Barkley | Phoenix Suns | 1 | 1993 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 1 | 1994 |
| David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs | 1 | 1995 |
| Karl Malone | Utah Jazz | 2 | 1997, 1999 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | Los Angeles Lakers | 1 | 2000 |
| Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers | 1 | 2001 |
| Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs | 2 | 2002, 2003 |
| Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | 1 | 2004 |
| Steve Nash | Phoenix Suns | 2 | 2005, 2006 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | 1 | 2007 |
| Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | 1 | 2008 |
| LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers/Miami Heat | 4 | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| Derrick Rose | Chicago Bulls | 1 | 2011 |
| Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 | 2014 |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 2 | 2015, 2016 |
| Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 | 2017 |
| James Harden | Houston Rockets | 1 | 2018 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 2 | 2019, 2020 |
| Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | 1 | 2023 |
NBA MVP Award Ceremony and Tradition
Basketball fans, players, and media eagerly await each year’s NBA MVP Award Ceremony. Now, by the time the event takes place, the NBA MVP has already been announced during a special edition of NBA Tip-Off or NBA Countdown allowing the Award Ceremony to be one of celebration, focused on the league’s rich history and the player’s individual success!
With the exception of COVID years, the ceremony is an evening filled with glitz and glam, taking place in a prestigious venue. In past years, venues such as LA's Microsoft Theater, New York’s Pier 36, and Atlanta’s Turner Studios have hosted this red-carpet celebration.
Wrought with tradition, each annual event typically follows a similar schedule. It usually begins with a highlight reel of the season’s top moments - think superstar plays, memorable dunks, outstanding passes, and emotional wins. Past award winners also are honoured, usually with video tributes and live speeches that celebrate the history of the award and pay homage to the prestige of the Most Valuable Player title.
Then comes the big moment: the trophy presentation. The Maurice Podoloff Trophy is officially handed to the year’s MVP, who typically gives a heartfelt, yet prepared, speech. Just like the Oscars, you can expect lots of thanks to coaches, teammates, and family for their support and shared effort in the journey to success. And did we mention the tears? If you want to view firsthand the emotions these speeches can stir up, look no further than Kevin Durant’s famous one that honours his Mom, ‘the real MVP’, and make sure you have Kleenex handy.
The MVP acceptance speech is usually a lengthy one, with tributes to those who helped them get to where they are. Then, the tables turn, giving the floor to coaches, family members, and teammates for a more personal tale of the winner’s hard work. Hearing all of these perspectives on the MVPs success makes for an incredibly emotional and inspirational event that aims to celebrate the MVP, the whole league history, and players to be who may be mere young fans when watching.
NBA MVP Voting Process
The NBA MVP is chosen via a unique voting process. You might think it’s decided by players and coaches, and it was, initially. However, in 1980 the process changed to a panel of media, for a more comprehensive approach. Nowadays, 100 relevant sportswriters and broadcasters decide the NBA’s most coveted individual award.
The vote itself works on a point system. Each voting member chooses their top five players. Each player vote gets a point ranking as follows: a first-place vote earns the player 10 points, a second-place vote gets 7 points, a third-place vote earns 5, a fourth earns 3 points, while a fifth-place vote earns 1 point. The player with the highest total points at the end of the voting process is awarded the MVP.
NBA MVP votes are publicized via a full release of each vote cast by each individual voting member. Usually, it’s available for anyone to view on the NBA’s website page and media channels. This way, the league ensures transparency to fans and voters alike. In fact, there are websites that detail exactly who each voter has backed, going back ten years or more. How’s that for transparency?!
NBA MVP Award FAQs
How is the NBA MVP Award different from other basketball awards?
The NBA MVP is different from other basketball player awards as it’s decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Each voter submits their top five picks. The winner is declared using a point scale of 10-7-5-3-1 with each first pick earning 10 points, the second 7, and so on. From these 100 media votes, an NBA MVP is decided.
Are there any specific eligibility criteria for MVP consideration?
The MVP award is the highest honour an NBA player can receive. The award recognizes the best overall player based on regular season performance, leadership skills, and also takes into account their impact on their team’s success. Other than a player having those elite qualities, as of 2023-2024, they must have played at least 65 games to be eligible.
Has there ever been a tie in MVP voting?
Over the years, a few players have created a strong case for a co-MVP win, but it has yet to happen!
Can a player win MVP without leading their team to a championship?
While leading a team to a championship often enhances a player’s MVP chances, it’s not a requirement. In 2017, Russell Westbrook was awarded the NBA MVP despite the Oklahoma City Thunder’s loss.
How do international players fare in MVP voting?
Over the years, international players in the NBA have fared reasonably well in MVP voting. While the award is usually dominated by players born in the US, this is bound to shift as the NBA looks to expand globally.
How do they vote for the finals MVP?
The NBA MVP is decided by a panel of select media members, from journalists to broadcasters. They cast their vote for the player they believe has made the most significant impact, shown great leadership, and of course, have the stats to back it up. The player with the highest number of votes is awarded the season’s coveted NBA MVP title.
How many voters vote for MVP?
The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cast their vote from across the United States and Canada.
What role do media narratives play in MVP voting?
The stories that the media choose to give airtime to can influence voters' perceptions of players' performances. This can sometimes lead to ‘voting fatigue’, where well-known players may get overlooked in favour of fresher faces or more compelling storylines.
How many MVP does LeBron have?
As of 2024, LeBron James has won a total of four MVP titles in his NBA career: 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013.
How many MVPS does Jokic have?
Nikoa Jovic was a 41st-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft of the Denver Nuggets. Since then, Jovic has won three MVP (Most Valuable Player) in his career: 2021, 2022, and 2024.
How many MVPs does Shaq have?
The 7 ft 1” Shaquille O’Neil, aka ‘Shaq’ has won the NBA MVP once in his 19-season career while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1999-2000 season.
Did Yao Ming get MVP?
Yao Ming did not receive the NBA MVP award during his 8-season career. However, he was an 8-time NBA All-Star. In 2016, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the NBA and its international growth.
Who has won the NBA MVP 3 times?
Larry Bird (1984, 1985, 1986), Magic Johnson (1987, 1989, 1990), Moses Malone (1979, 1982, 1983), Bill Russell (1958, 1961, 1962), Wilt Chamberlain (1930, 1961, 1962), and LeBron James (2009, 2010, 2012) have all won the NBA MVP player award three times in their careers.
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