NBA Most Valuable Player Award

NBA Most Valuable Player Award. The NBA Most Valuable Player Award is an annual honor presented to the player deemed the most valuable to his team during the regular season of the National Basketball Association. First awarded following the 1955–56 NBA season, the winner receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, named for the league's first commissioner. The selection is conducted by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the United States and Canada, with fan voting introduced in the 2022–23 NBA season constituting one ballot.

History

The award was officially established for the 1955–56 NBA season, with Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks becoming its first recipient. For its first decade, the winner was selected by a vote of NBA players, a process that saw legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain claim the honor. In the 1979–80 NBA season, the voting panel shifted to media members, a system that has remained with modifications. The trophy itself was renamed in honor of Maurice Podoloff in 2022, commemorating the league's first commissioner who served during the award's inception. Throughout its history, the award has chronicled the dominance of eras, from the rivalry of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 1980s to the global ascendance of players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki.

Selection process

Since the 1979–80 NBA season, the primary electorate has consisted of a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from each NBA city, as well as a national media panel. Each voter submits a ballot ranking their top five choices, with a point system (10-7-5-3-1) determining the winner. Beginning in the 2022–23 NBA season, a single collective vote based on fan voting through the NBA App and NBA.com was added to the media pool. The votes are tallied by the accounting firm Ernst & Young, and the winner is announced during the NBA playoffs, typically before the start of the Conference Finals. Criteria are not explicitly defined but generally encompass individual statistics, team success, and overall impact on the league.

Winners

Winners have come from a wide array of franchises and playing positions. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won with both the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, holds the record with six awards. Centers dominated the early years, with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Abdul-Jabbar combining for 13 awards. The 1980s saw a shift towards legendary forwards and guards like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. In the 21st century, winners have included international stars such as Steve Nash of Canada and Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece, as well as dominant big men like Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal. The most recent winners, Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid, continue the tradition of versatile center play.

Multiple-time winners

Thirteen players have won the award more than once. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads with six, followed by Bill Russell and Michael Jordan with five each. Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James have each won four times. Three-time winners include Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Moses Malone. Players with two awards comprise a prestigious group including Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Karl Malone, and Tim Duncan. This list underscores sustained excellence, with many winners also leading their teams to championships, such as Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Bird's Boston Celtics.

Trivia and records

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls remains the youngest winner, claiming the award at age 22 during the 2010–11 NBA season. The oldest winner is Karl Malone, who was 35 when he won in 1999. Stephen Curry is the only unanimous selection, achieving the feat in 2016. Moses Malone and LeBron James are the only players to win the award in consecutive seasons with two different teams (Houston Rockets/Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers/Miami Heat, respectively). No player has ever won the award while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, or Toronto Raptors.

Category:National Basketball Association trophies and awards Category:Basketball awards