The NBA season for 2023/24 has been nothing short of exhilarating, marked by extraordinary individual performances that have left fans in awe. Notable among these are Joel Embiid’s remarkable 70-point game against the San Antonio Spurs and Luka Doncic’s astounding 73-point game against the Atlanta Hawks, both occurring within the same week.
The consistent display of triple-doubles by Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot be overlooked either, as they vie for their third NBA MVP title. Additionally, emerging talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum have been instrumental in propelling their respective teams towards playoff contention with their scoring, playmaking, and overall impact on the court. Let’s delve into the frontrunners for the prestigious MVP award:
Leading Contenders for NBA MVP 2024:
- Nikola Jokic
- Luka Doncic
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jayson Tatum
(Note: Joel Embiid is ineligible for consideration due to not meeting the requirement of playing at least 65 games by the end of the regular season.)
Exploring the NBA MVP Hall of Fame
Who are the stars who have etched their names in NBA history by claiming the MVP title? Let’s take a look at the distinguished roll of honor, dating back to the inaugural season of 1955/56. Topping the list with the most MVP wins is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with an impressive tally of six, closely followed by legends like Michael Jordan and Bill Russell, each with five MVP accolades.
NBA MVP Roll of Honor:
- Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks) – 1955-1956
- Bob Cousy (Boston Celtics) – 1956-1957
- Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) – 1957-1958
- Bob Pettit (St. Louis Hawks) – 1958-1959
- Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia Warriors) – 1959-1960
- Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) – 1960-1961
- Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) – 1961-1962
- Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) – 1962-1963
- Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals) – 1963-1964
- Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) – 1964-1965
- Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia 76ers) – 1965-1966
- Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia 76ers) – 1966-1967
- Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia 76ers) – 1967-1968
- Wes Unseld (Baltimore Bullets) – 1968-1969
- Willis Reed (New York Knicks) – 1969-1970
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks) – 1970-1971
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks) – 1971-1972
- Dave Cowens (Boston Celtics) – 1972-1973
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks) – 1973-1974
- Bob McAdoo (Buffalo Braves) – 1974-1975
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1975-1976
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1976-1977
- Bill Walton (Portland Trail Blazers) – 1977-1978
- Moses Malone (Houston Rockets) – 1978-1979
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1979-1980
- Julius Erving (Philadelphia 76ers) – 1980-1981
- Moses Malone (Houston Rockets) – 1981-1982
- Moses Malone (Philadelphia 76ers) – 1982-1983
- Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) – 1983-1984
- Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) – 1984-1985
- Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) – 1985-1986
- Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1986-1987
- Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – 1987-1988
- Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1988-1989
- Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1989-1990
- Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – 1990-1991
- Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – 1991-1992
- Charles Barkley (Phoenix Suns) – 1992-1993
- Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) – 1993-1994
- David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs) – 1994-1995
- Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – 1995-1996
- Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) – 1996-1997
- Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – 1997-1998
- Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) – 1998-1999
- Shaquille O’Neal (Los Angeles Lakers) – 1999-2000
- Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) – 2000-2001
- Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) – 2001-2002
- Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) – 2002-2003
- Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 2003-2004
- Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) – 2004-2005
- Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) – 2005-2006
- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) – 2006-2007
- Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) – 2007-2008
- LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) – 2008-2009
- LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) – 2009-2010
- Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) – 2010-2011
- LeBron James (Miami Heat) – 2011-2012
- LeBron James (Miami Heat) – 2012-2013
- Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 2013-2014
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) – 2014-2015
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) – 2015-2016
- Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 2016-2017
- James Harden (Houston Rockets) – 2017-2018
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – 2018-2019
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – 2019-2020
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – 2020-2021
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – 2021-2022
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – 2022-2023
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Understanding the NBA MVP: Selection Process and Significance
The NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player) award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon the most outstanding player of the regular season. Renamed the Michael Jordan Trophy since 2022, this honor is exclusively reserved for players who have actively participated in a minimum of 65 games throughout the season.
The selection of the MVP is determined by a panel of sports journalists, commentators, and fans, taking into account factors such as the player’s impact on their team, individual statistical achievements, and leadership qualities demonstrated on the court.