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Over the previous 15 seasons, 4 gamers have received a majority of the MVP awards: LeBron James (4), Stephen Curry (twice), Giannis Antetokounmpo (twice), and Nikola Jokic (twice).
Joel Embiid, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Derrick Rose had been among the many few to crack that record amid the dominance of the massive 4 listed above and win their solely MVP award in that span.
So who’re among the NBA’s best gamers of all time who weren’t in a position to win an MVP and break by their period of dominant gamers?
HoopsHype examined the Prime 25 gamers to by no means win MVP from our 77 greatest players ever list to search out out.
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 18
Jerry West was a dominant pressure within the NBA, ending because the runner-up within the MVP voting 4 occasions, together with three consecutive seasons. Throughout that stretch, he showcased his versatility, capturing the league’s scoring title as soon as in 1969-70 with a formidable 31.2 factors per recreation, whereas additionally main the league in assists per recreation with 9.7 within the 1971-72 season.
West performed at a time when large males dominated the NBA and the MVP award class particularly. Between 1957 (Bob Cousy) and 1987 (Magic Johnson), the one guard to win MVP was Oscar Robertson.
West completed second within the MVP voting to Wilt Chamberlain and Willis Reed, then in consecutive years to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His finest case for profitable the award was in opposition to Reed, who averaged simply 21.7 ppg in comparison with West’s 31.2.
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 21
Elgin Baylor completed third in MVP voting thrice and as excessive as second in voting in the course of the 1962-63 season. Baylor misplaced the MVP award to Celtics legend Invoice Russell that season whereas averaging over 17 extra factors (34 to 16.8) however 9 fewer rebounds (23.6 to 14.3). The Celtics additionally received 5 extra video games within the common season.
How dominant was Baylor that individual season? He’s at present tied for the Seventeenth-highest scoring season ever, barely trailing Luka Doncic at 34.1 factors per recreation.
It’s additionally value noting that in Baylor’s 14-year profession, Russell and Wilt Chamberlain received MVP 4 occasions, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received it twice. Some competitors that was.
Al Bello/Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 23
Dwyane Wade, one of many best taking pictures guards ever and a Finals and All-Star Sport MVP, by no means received the NBA’s common season MVP award
Wade’s finest shot at profitable MVP got here in the course of the 2008-09 season when he led the league in scoring at 30.2 factors and completed third behind Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Bryant’s Lakers received 65 video games, and James’ Cavaliers received 66 video games, whereas Wade carried Miami to a 28-game win enchancment by profitable 43 video games after solely profitable 15 the season earlier than.
James not solely received MVP that 2008-09 season however twice alongside Wade. The presence of James in Miami nearly assured Wade wouldn’t win the award as he deferred to James, but it surely was value it as they received back-to-back championships collectively.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 26
Regardless of being probably the greatest level guards of his era, a two-time All-Star MVP and an help champion, Detroit’s Isiah Thomas solely had one Prime 5 MVP end within the NBA (1983-84).
Throughout Thomas’ 13-year profession, his arch-rivals dominated a lot of the MVP dialog. Larry Fowl received three straight MVP awards from 1984-86, and Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan received three MVPs every within the following six years.
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HoopsHype all-time rating: 27
Scottie Pippen was by no means going to win MVP alongside Michael Jordan as his teammate in the course of the prime of his profession, however he’s within the dialogue for the most effective Robin in league historical past. Pippen was some extent ahead forward of his time and one of many league’s high defenders in his prime as a Chicago Bull.
When Jordan retired in the course of the 1993-94 season, it was Pippen who received the All-Star Sport MVP and completed third within the MVP voting whereas averaging career-highs in factors (22), rebounds (8.7) and steals (2.9). It was a valiant effort from Pippen who trailed David Robinson and 1994 MVP Hakeem Olajuwon within the voting.
(For the file: Olajuwon grew to become the primary participant to be named MVP, Defensive Participant of the 12 months, and Finals MVP in the identical season that 12 months).
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 28
Chris Paul, one of many best level guards ever, is a six-time steals champion, five-time assists chief, and 2013 All-Star Sport MVP, famend for his playmaking and shot-making means. His finest shot on the common season MVP got here in 2007-08 when he led the league in assists (11.6) and steals (2.7), guiding the Hornets to a 17-game win enchancment. Regardless of his terrific play, Paul completed runner-up to Kobe Bryant within the MVP voting that season.
For what it’s value, 4 level guards have received MVP (Steve Nash, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, and Russell Westbrook) throughout Paul’s time within the NBA.
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 29
John Havlicek was probably the greatest swingmen of his period. Solely Invoice Russell (11) and Sam Jones (10) received extra championships than Havlicek, an eight-time winner.
Throughout Havlicek’s 16-year profession, just one guard – Oscar Robertson – received MVP, and Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar mixed for eight MVPs. Havlicek’s Celtics teammates Russell (two) and Dave Cowens (one) mixed for 3 MVPs as properly.
John Havlicek had an unimaginable seven-year stretch from 1968-69 to 1974-75, averaging 24.0 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per recreation. Nevertheless, he solely managed to complete as excessive as fourth within the MVP voting as soon as throughout that nice run.
Kent Horner/NBAE/Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 32
John Stockton fashioned half of the best pick-and-roll tandem ever with two-time MVP Karl Malone and have become the NBA’s chief in assists (15,806) and steals (3,265). Remarkably, Stockton by no means missed the playoffs and guided the Jazz to 19 consecutive playoff appearances throughout as many seasons in his Corridor of Fame profession.
Because the Robin to Malone’s Batman, Stockton by no means completed increased than seventh within the MVP voting.
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 33
Kawhi Leonard is among the NBA’s finest two-way gamers, however his lack of availability has been one of many greatest causes he’s by no means received an MVP award. Leonard has solely performed greater than 72 video games twice in his profession, and it’s no coincidence he ranked second and third in MVP voting throughout these two seasons when he was 24 and 25 years outdated with the Spurs.
Leonard’s finest likelihood to win MVP was in the course of the 2015-16 season when he completed second to Stephen Curry. That season, Curry averaged extra factors (30.1 to 21.2) and assists (6.7 to 2.6), and the Warriors set the file for many common season wins (73).
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 35
Patrick Ewing, identified for his tender taking pictures contact as a giant man within the Nineties, was a perennial MVP candidate with the Knicks. Between 1988 and 1995, he completed within the Prime 5 of the MVP voting six occasions, averaging a formidable 24.9 factors on 52.2 p.c taking pictures, 11.0 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per recreation.
Among the many gamers who completed forward of Ewing within the MVP voting a number of occasions throughout that span included Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 36
Rick Barry was an elite swingman and one of many NBA’s high scorers, main the league in factors per recreation (35.6) in the course of the 1966-67 season. He was additionally famend for his distinctive foul taking pictures means, due to his unconventional underhanded free throw approach.
Barry spent 4 prime years of his profession within the ABA however nonetheless had three different NBA seasons the place he completed Prime 5 in MVP voting. Nevertheless, Barry’s period was dominated by large males, and he misplaced to Wilt Chamberlain, Bob McAdoo, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
JEFF HAYNES/AFP through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 38
Jason Kidd was probably the greatest level guards ever, with the aptitude for making a flashy move and the easy bounce move equally properly, and was a triple-double risk each night time in his prime.
Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to a 26-game enchancment and a visit to the NBA Finals after being acquired by the Phoenix Suns and completed second in MVP voting to Tim Duncan in the course of the 2001-02 season.
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Community
HoopsHype all-time rating: 40
Elvin Hayes was an NBA iron man, enjoying in a minimum of 80 video games in all 16 seasons of his profession. He led the NBA in scoring as a rookie (28.4) and was a two-time rebounding champ.
Hayes completed Prime 5 in MVP voting thrice throughout his profession however was overshadowed by different large males comparable to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Bob Lanier, Dave Cowens, and Moses Malone within the MVP voting throughout that span.
JEFF HAYNES/AFP through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 42
Gary Payton, an iconic determine in Seattle identified for his alley-oop reference to Shawn Kemp, was probably the greatest defensive level guards ever, profitable the 1995-96 Defensive Participant of the 12 months award.
Payton completed Prime 6 in MVP voting six occasions total, and his closest shot at profitable the award got here in the course of the 1997-98 season when he completed third behind Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, which is considerably becoming since Payton additionally misplaced to Jordan within the Finals and confronted Malone a number of occasions within the playoffs.
Scott Cunningham/NBAE through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 43
Among the finest in-game dunkers ever and an all-time nice small ahead, Dominique Wilkins led the NBA in scoring in the course of the 1985-86 season (30.3) however misplaced the 1986 MVP award to Larry Fowl, whose Celtics received 17 extra video games than Wilkins’ Hawks. It was a metaphor for his or her careers as Fowl obtained the most effective of Wilkins within the playoffs a number of occasions as rivals.
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson additionally completed forward of Wilkins a number of occasions in MVP voting through the years to thwart any MVP candidacy for the Hawks famous person.
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 44
George Gervin received the scoring title three straight seasons, however completed second within the MVP voting twice and third as soon as, dropping out to large males like Invoice Walton, Moses Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His strongest case got here in 1977-78 when, regardless of enjoying extra video games (82 to 58), averaging considerably extra factors (27.2 to 18.9), and having extra Win Shares (12 to eight.4), he misplaced to Walton.
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HoopsHype all-time rating: 45
Clyde Drexler was one of many NBA’s finest taking pictures guards however had the unenviable job of competing in opposition to Michael Jordan in the course of the prime of their careers. Like many others, Drexler misplaced to Jordan, together with the battle for the MVP award and their NBA Finals matchup in the course of the 1991-92 season.
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HoopsHype all-time rating: 46
George Mikan was one of many NBA’s first dominant large males as a three-time scoring chief (as soon as within the BAA and twice within the NBA) and two-time rebounding champ. After retiring for one season, Mikan returned to play 37 video games in the course of the 1955-56 season, the 12 months the MVP award was created. Had the award been obtainable earlier in his profession, there’s little question Mikan would’ve been a minimum of one.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 47
Whereas Anthony Davis has proven flashes of being the NBA’s finest participant and is taken into account an elite two-way expertise, accidents have restricted his availability, enjoying 75 video games simply twice in his profession. A type of occasions, in 2017-18, he led the league in blocks per recreation (2.6) and completed third in MVP voting behind winner James Harden and runner-up LeBron James.
Dick Raphael/NBAE through Getty Photos
HoopsHype all-time rating: 49
James Worthy, a Corridor of Famer who received three championships and the 1988 Finals MVP, had little likelihood of capturing an everyday season MVP award whereas enjoying alongside all-time greats Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for many of his profession.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 50
Carmelo Anthony was some of the prolific scorers in NBA historical past. Throughout Anthony’s 2012-13 season with the Knicks, he led the league in scoring (28.7) and completed third within the MVP voting behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Anthony and James have been linked collectively since they entered the 2003 NBA Draft. For a short stretch of their rookie seasons, some debated whether or not Anthony was higher than James, but it surely was short-lived as James received Rookie of the 12 months and by no means regarded again.
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HoopsHype all-time rating: 51
Paul Pierce solidified his Celtics legacy by profitable NBA Finals MVP and the championship in 2008 after becoming a member of forces with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen earlier than his jersey was retired by the franchise in 2018.
Nevertheless, Pierce solely got here as shut as seventh within the common season MVP voting in the course of the 2008-09 season. Throughout Pierce’s prime from 2002-13, when he was a 10-time All-Star, LeBron James received 4 MVP awards, whereas Steve Nash and Tim Duncan received two every.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype all-time rating: 53
Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry have arguably the deepest taking pictures ranges in NBA historical past and had been tied collectively for years as rivals for the league’s top-scoring backcourt together with their teammates CJ McCollum and Klay Thompson.
Whereas Curry achieved extra particular person and workforce success with the Warriors, hurting Lillard’s MVP possibilities, Dame had sturdy instances himself. In 2020-21, he was No. 2 in HoopsHype’s Global Rating behind solely Nikola Jokic however completed seventh in MVP voting regardless of averages of 28.8 factors, 7.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and main Portland to a 42-30 file. His career-best 4th place MVP end got here in 2017-18 (26.9 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.5 rpg), trailing solely James Harden, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
AP Picture/John Kuntz
HoopsHype all-time rating: 56
Kevin McHale was probably the greatest low-post scorers within the NBA throughout his era and thrived subsequent to Larry Fowl.
Throughout his time with the Celtics, McHale was a two-time Sixth Man of the 12 months winner earlier than ending fourth within the MVP voting in the course of the 1986-87 season. McHale averaged career-highs in factors (26.1) and rebounds (9.9) whereas main the league in area aim proportion (.604).
McHale fell in need of profitable MVP that season behind among the best gamers to ever play, together with Magic Johnson, who received the award, Michael Jordan, and Fowl.
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