The NBA MVP award has always been a hotbed of debate, with fans and analysts often questioning whether the most deserving player actually won. Here’s a look at five of the most controversial MVP races where many believe the “real MVP” was overlooked:
1. Bill Russell over Wilt Chamberlain: 1961-62
Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history. His 11 titles in 13 seasons is a remarkable feat never to be seen again. Russell’s archrival, Wilt Chamberlain, was a dominant force who put up numbers that will never be duplicated.
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This includes the 1961-62 season, where Chamberlain put up averages of 50.4 points, 25.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. In that same season, Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game, showcasing his greatness firsthand.
Still, despite these legendary achievements by Chamberlain, he failed to win MVP, as that award went to Russell. It wasn’t only Chamberlain who Russell topped for MVP that season, he also beat out Oscar Robertson, who averaged the first ever triple-double for an entire season.
Russell obtained 51 first-place votes and received 297 total points. Chamberlain was only given nine first-place votes and 152 total points.
Russell’s Boston Celtics did finish with the best record at 60-20, with Russell averaging 18.9 points, 23.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Chamberlain’s Philadelphia Warriors had the second best record in the East with 49-31, so team success was likely why Russell won the MVP.
Still, Chamberlain’s numbers are straight out of a video game. He was the real MVP, as he truly deserved it.
2. Dave Cowens over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1972-73
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the 1970s. He put up ridiculous numbers during the decade, won the NBA title in 1971, and was named MVP five times.
The thing was, however, that Abdul-Jabbar should have won six MVPs in the 70s, which would put his career total at seven. In the 1972-73 season, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 30.2 points, 16.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, while leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 60-22 record.
This was tied for the second best record in the NBA, with only the Boston Celtics having a better record at 68-14. So, naturally, the NBA looked at the best player on those Celtics, Dave Cowens.
Now, Cowens certainly had a good season, putting up averages of 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. But his dominance was nowhere near that of Abdul-Jabbar.
On top of the normal stats, Abdul-Jabbar dominated in win shares. He earned 21.9 win shares while Cowens only had 12.0. This was a huge advantage for Abdul-Jabbar.
When it came down to the MVP voting, which was done by the players at this time, voter fatigue was certainly present. Abdul-Jabbar won the MVP award in the previous two seasons.
Related: Kia MVP Race: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Dethrone Nikola Jokic
Cowens received 67 first-place votes and earned 444 points. As for Abdul-Jabbar, received 33 first-place votes and 339 total points.
Despite losing out on the award, Abdul-Jabbar would go on to have possibly the greatest career in NBA history. With one more MVP award, however, it could’ve been even better.
3. Magic Johnson over Charles Barkley: 1989-90
Magic Johnson won the MVP despite Charles Barkley receiving more first-place votes. Yes, you read that correctly. Barkley received 38 first-place votes, while Magic only received 27 first-place votes.
So, how did Magic win the MVP over Barkley? Despite having more first place votes, Barkley only obtained 614 total points, while the Lakers legend received 636 total points.
For the season, Magic averaged 22.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 11.5 assists per game. Barkley, on the other hand, averaged 25.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, while shooting 60% from the field.
Likely the reason why Magic won MVP was because of team success. Magic’s Lakers won 63 games, the best in the league, while Barkley’s Philadelphia 76ers only won 53 games.
Will this scenario repeat itself this year? Nikola Jokic has the numbers to win the MVP award, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the team success. This could easily be a repeat of Magic over Barkley.
4. Wes Unseld over Willis Reed: 1968-69
Willis Reed had a great 1968-69 season. He averaged 21.1 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 52.1% from the field. Reed’s New York Knicks finished with a 54-28 record, which was third best in the East.
Despite his level of play, Reed didn’t secure the MVP award. In fact, a player on the team, the Washington Bullets, who had the best record in the East, and the entire league, at 57-25, would win the MVP.
That player was Wes Unseld, who not only won the MVP, but he also won the Rookie of the Year Award. Yes, Unseld was in his first season and he joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only rookies to win the MVP.
Unseld played great, averaging 18.2 rebounds per game. But Unseld’s points average, 13.8, makes him the lowest scoring MVP in NBA history.
Despite this, Unseld received 53 first-place votes and 310 total points. While Reed only earned 18 first-place votes and 137 total points.
Even when you dive deeper into defense, to see if that was the difference maker, you’ll see it is likely not. Unseld’s Bullets were only 1.6 points per 100 possessions better than Reed’s Knicks.
At this time, steals and blocks were not counted, so it is hard to say if Unseld was much better individually on the defensive end than Reed. Unseld may have deserved Rookie of the Year, but the MVP is debatable.
5. Karl Malone over Michael Jordan: 1996-97
Michael Jordan was fresh off arguably the greatest season in NBA history. He led the Chicago Bulls to a then-record 72 wins, while leading the league in scoring, and won the championship. MJ was the indisputable MVP winner, with no room for debate.
The following season Jordan led the NBA in scoring once again while leading Chicago to 69 more wins. This was by far the most wins by a team in the season.
Even when you count all of this and factor in the fact it’s Michael Jordan, MJ failed to win the MVP. That honor went to Karl Malone. Now, Malone had a great season, averaging 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Still, everyone knew who the real MVP was.
Malone’s rebounding and assists per game were both higher than Jordan’s, but MJ had the edge in win shares (18.3 to 16.7). The Utah Jazz won an impressive 64 games, but since that was still five less than the Bulls, Jordan should have won the MVP.
Malone received 63 first-place votes and 986 total points, while Jordan earned 52 first-place votes and 957 total points. The voters made their decision clear, yet many believed they had chosen incorrectly.
