What is the MVP Award? Definition and a bit of History

Since the creation of the NBA, the big league has awarded numerous individual trophies every year to reward the best players of the regular season. And among all these awards, one takes precedence over the others, as its prestige allows the lucky winner to enter a new dimension: that of the best players in the world, called MVPs.

What does MVP mean?

MVP is the abbreviation for “Most Valuable Player.” This title is awarded every year to the player who has had the biggest season on an individual level, but also on a collective level. Being voted MVP is not something given to just anyone. Created in 1955, this title rewards only one player, and can be won by the same person as many times as possible. Proof of this is that in 70 seasons, only 35 players have won this trophy at least once.

How do you become MVP?

Through hard work. Thanks, that’s all from me. No, seriously, becoming MVP is extremely complex. It requires an alignment of the stars, repeated XXL performances, and an extremely well-oiled team. Otherwise, it is difficult to take the trophy if the franchise in question is having an average season, with some exceptions (hello Westbrook 👋). After that, believe it or not, consistency comes into play. A player who stays at the top for 2 or 3 years with crazy statistics will often be rewarded for his body of work, as Joel Embiid or James Harden were, while others were having historic seasons never seen before since the creation of the league.

Now, how is the MVP elected? It’s very simple. Since 1980, it has been sportswriters and broadcasters selected from all over the world who vote. Each names five players, ranked in order of preference. A first place is worth ten points; a second is worth seven; a third is worth five; a fourth is worth three and a fifth is worth a single point. Since 2010, a ballot representing the fan vote has been added to the count. As you will have understood, the player obtaining the highest number of points wins the title.

The Greatest MVPs in History

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The greatest legend of the Los Angeles Lakers left his mark on the league. In addition to being the all-time leading scorer until passed by LeBron James, he was also voted MVP 6 times! (1971, 72, 74, 76, 77, 80).
• Bill Russell: The man with 11 NBA titles… What more can be said? A record as legendary as his time with the Boston Celtics, where he was rewarded with 5 MVP trophies (1958, 61, 62, 63, 65).
• Michael Jordan: Do I really need to introduce him? No, I think I can skip this one. 6 titles in 6 finals played, the best player basketball has ever known… Just for that, his 5 MVP trophies are more than deserved (1988, 91, 92, 96, 98).
• Wilt Chamberlain: Mister 100 points in a single game, adept at stratospheric stat lines, Wilt is one of the greatest legends of this sport. Chief of the Philadelphia Warriors at the time, then the Sixers, Chamberlain sits in 4th position for MVPs with 4 titles (1960, 66, 67, 68).
• LeBron James: All-time leading scorer, 4 NBA trophies, most All-Star Game selections… Should I stop there or keep going? A prime between 2008 and 2016 that allowed him to win 4 MVP titles in 6 years (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013).

Special Mentions

• Stephen Curry: We cannot make a ranking or mention the MVP title without citing Stephen Curry for one single, good reason: he is the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. No one else received votes during the 2015/2016 season. That is what’s called “shutting down the competition.”
• Russell Westbrook (2017): The exclamation point on one of the craziest individual seasons of all time. Orphaned by Kevin Durant, no one gave Oklahoma City much of a chance in the 2016/2017 season, but Russell Westbrook revolted. A season averaging a triple-double, with 50 points, 11 assists, and a legendary buzzer-beater to end his regular season… What could be more beautiful?
• Derrick Rose (2011): The youngest MVP in history at 23 years old… Unheard of. Derrick Rose was the kind of player you wanted to see play live at least once in your life. Athletic, explosive, a warrior, DR bad everything to succeed, but unfortunately, what followed was cruel. A wasted talent, but we will explain that to you in a dedicated article, as Derrick Rose rocked the childhood and adolescence of millions of people.
• James Harden (2018): Perhaps the greatest offensive season of all time. Over in Houston, “The Beard” put up breathtaking statistics during the 2017/2018 season. Several games with 60 points scored and a month of January 2018 where he averaged 43.6 points/game! Completely crazy. No one could catch him that year, even though Russell Westbrook, his former teammate at the Thunder, was averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive year.

The Race for the 2024/2025 MVP

Last year has seen a really competitive race for the mvp trophy. But SGA was a bit ahead, even if Jokic can be considered as the best basketball player in the world. The Thunder was first in the west and won title, SGA definitely deserved the MVP award and might won it in 2026.

On the NBA side, the debate seems to have been closed for a while:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder): This season, SGA is even stronger than last year. Top scorer in the NBA (32.6 pts average), 4th best scorer in the league in only three quarters, offensive leader of the best team in the league which is having the greatest season in its history, and the list goes on… Shai has shown the world that this year, the MVP title is for him, without any possible discussion despite monstrous adversity.
• Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): A historic season. Nothing less. This year, Nikola Jokic splashed the NBA with his talent by putting up statistics, passes, and shots each more impressive than the last, as well as triple-doubles galore. But despite his individual domination, the Nuggets’ collective record throws a wrench in the works in his quest for a 4th MVP title! Enough to place him among the greatest in the history of our sport, although he already is.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): A terrible start to the season before a wake-up call that changed everything. Giannis Antetokounmpo, already crowned twice, should logically finish 3rd in the MVP race. Although arch-dominant and averaging a double-double on the season, the Bucks’ inconsistency, repeated injuries, and their 5th place in the Eastern Conference despite a roster built to chase the championship cost him dearly.

And what about the Euroleague?

We were just about to talk about it, especially since one of our Parisians is in the running to win this trophy! But we promise, we will remain objective:

• Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos): Second leading scorer in the competition, former NBA player, European (yes, this criterion plays a part), first in the regular season, Sasha Vezenkov checks all the boxes to get the MVP title this season. The number 1 offensive weapon for Olympiacos alongside Evan Fournier, the former Sacramento King is dazzing the Euroleague with his talent and is simply unstoppable on the eve of the playoffs. A pretty crazy regular season where the Bulgarian is averaging 20 points per game. A real performance when you know how much defense is at the center of European basketball.
• TJ Shorts II (Paris Basketball): Yes, you read that right. Author of a completely crazy season, both individually and collectively for his very first participation in the Euroleague, our Parisian has been walking on water for several months. Best passer in the competition, 4th best scorer with a peak of 29 pts against Bayern and author of a completely crazy double-double against Panathinaikos, our point guard is showing the whole of Europe how much being tall is not an important criterion in basketball when you are talented. Unfortunately, the 10th place of our Parisians, though qualified for the play-in, should cost him the MVP title.
• Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos): He was the favorite for this edition but remains in the race all the same. Although third in the competition with Pana, the former Miami Heat player is having a splendid regular season. Top scorer with 20.3 pts scored per game, the American is behind the two previous players for two simple reasons in our opinion: Olympiacos is leading the Euroleague with Vezenkov as the headliner, and because the American point guard lost his two direct confrontations against TJ Shorts. Nevertheless, seeing him win the MVP title next week is highly possible.