Were These NBA Players Ever Named MVP?
- by Joey Haverford
- – on
- in Sports
The NBA MVP Award is among the most prestigious awards in any sport. You have to be a truly great star to be named the Most Valuable Player of any specific season. Aside from one or two players, everyone to win the MVP Award has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame or is a lock to be inducted. Those few players even have a chance to make the Hall of Fame despite the lack of certainty attached to him. However, the award being so prestigious makes it tough for all top tier talents to win it.
We will take a look at twenty-five MVP worthy NBA stars. You will have to test your knowledge and memory by trying to figure out if they ever actually took home the MVP Award. All players on here have a legacy that may be bigger than any individual award, but you just know those to miss out on it wanted to win it at least once during their career. Hopefully you remember which stars took home the prize and which others were never able to surpass the completion. Take the quiz by answering if these following NBA superstars and legends ever won the MVP Award.
Dwight Howard
The current position of Dwight Howard in the NBA is rather depressing given how incredible he used to be. Howard dominated the center position and started on the Eastern Conference All-Star team most seasons during his time on the Orlando Magic. The freak athleticism of Howard was strange for someone of his size and he got by on it for a long time. Howard’s career slowly declined with injuries and the league changing. Did Dwight ever get to take the MVP Award home during his better years?
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose showed flashes of brilliance during his early career with the Chicago Bulls. As a hometown hero, Rose led the Bulls to success again with teams that dominated the regular season. Injuries would both hurt Rose’s career and destroy Chicago’s chances of winning a title. Rose would get traded to the New York Knicks after his decline on the Bulls. Many incredible accolades were accomplished by Rose before the injuries. Was the MVP Award one of those accomplishments for Rose?
Jason Kidd
The unselfish play of Jason Kidd made him a premiere point guard in the NBA for the majority of his career. Kidd did great work with the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks during the peak years. New Jersey traded Stephon Marbury for him in 2001 to completely change their franchise. Kidd improved the Nets from a lower tier team in the East to making two consecutive NBA Finals. The triple double master made everyone around him better. Did Kidd ever win an MVP Award for his work?
Steve Nash
The Phoenix Suns struck gold when acquiring Steve Nash following his time with the Dallas Mavericks. Nash made the jump from a very good player to a superstar. The unselfish yet stylish play of Nash helped him become an exciting point guard that helped usher in a new era for the NBA. Nash running a fast paced offense led to the Suns becoming the top regular season team in the Western Conference many years in a row. Did the success of Nash ever land him the MVP Award?
Shaquille O'Neal
The dominance of Shaquille O'Neal saw him become one of the most unstoppable NBA players of all time. Fans of the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat each got to witness different times of his peak. Lakers fans were luckiest as Shaq led them to three consecutive NBA Championships along with Kobe Bryant. O’Neal won the NBA Finals MVP all three years despite being on the same time as a fellow legend. Did Shaq also add a regular season MVP to his accomplishments?
Reggie Miller
Indiana Pacers fans have fond memories of Reggie Miller for his entire career on the franchise. Miller was remembered for two things specifically – three point shooting and clutch plays. Both strengths would merge together for some memorable moments in NBA Playoff history. Miller would fall just short of leading the Pacers to an NBA Championship, but he gave them enough happiness during his tenure to make up for it. Did Reggie ever win the MVP Award any individual season throughout his incredible career?
Patrick Ewing
The New York Knicks won the first ever NBA Draft Lottery to select Patrick Ewing with the first overall pick. This is still a conspiracy theory considering a premiere franchise won the first lottery to get a superstar. Ewing had a tremendous career in New York leading the Knicks to playoff success throughout the 90s. The Knicks have been a disaster ever since Ewing left and longtime fans appreciate him more than ever. Was Ewing ever one of the illustrious players to take home an MVP Award?
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett recently ended his legendary career following stints on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Minnesota got the best years of Garnett but most fans remember his time in Boston. Garnett’s speech following the Celtics NBA Championship win featured the memorable moment of him breaking down and yelling “Anything is possible!” out of passion. KG worked as hard as any other superstar in the league. The NBA Championship win was the ultimate prize. Does he have a regular season MVP Award on his resume as well?
David Robinson
David Robinson is another tremendous center from the 90s to dominate the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs witnessed the entire career of Robinson as he led them to relevance. Robinson played superb offense and defense to become an elite all-around player. San Antonio drafted Tim Duncan towards the end of Robinson’s career allowing the dynamic duo to win two NBA Championships together before he retired. Robinson is still celebrated by the Spurs fans. Did he ever get them an MVP Award?
Dwyane Wade
Another spectacular talent of the current era has been former Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade. The shooting guard led the Heat to relevance with a 2006 NBA Championship win. Wade achieved more success with the addition of his best friend LeBron James joining to form a super team. Along the entire ride, Wade has remained a superb talent that has done unbelievable things on the NBA court. Wade won the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, but does he have a regular season MVP Award as well?
Gary Payton
One of the most underrated teams of the 90s era was the 1995-1996 Seattle Supersonics. Gary Payton led them to the NBA Finals before falling short to the Chicago Bulls. It was still impressive that Seattle won two games in the finals against the 72-10 Bulls having an all-time great season. Payton did outstanding work for the entirety of his career. The superb defense and trash talking skills are what fans most remember Payton for. Did he ever win an MVP Award?
Karl Malone
Karl Malone never won an NBA Championship but was arguably a top three player for the majority of his career. Every argument about the top power forwards of all time would have to include Malone. The Utah Jazz fans loved his hard working blue collar mentality to the game. Malone’s numbers saw him dominate the game almost every season of his career before growing older. Utah still talks about his results to this day as the franchise struggles to find relevance. Did Malone take home the MVP Award?
John Stockton
The combination of Karl Malone and John Stockton made for one of the greatest duos of all time. As great as Malone was, you have to wonder what his career would have been like if he didn’t have Stockton facilitating the Utah Jazz offense. Stockton was considered one of the best point guards of his time. The fans loved that he left it all on the court and Michael Jordan even named him among his toughest opponents. Is Stockton a former MVP Award winner?
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen often was underrated during his career due to playing alongside Michael Jordan. Everyone talked about Jordan leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships, but Pippen contributed a lot to those rings as well. Pippen took his game to another level during the season and a half that Jordan retired for during the mid-90s. The numbers and overall play of Pippen led the Bulls back to strong playoff seeds despite missing the greatest of all time Did Pippen win the MVP Award?
Chris Paul
Chris Paul is still in his prime but has already delivered a Hall of Fame worthy career. Since entering the league, Paul has been considered the best point guard in the NBA more years than not. The recent trend of point guards becoming the most important position all started with Paul being the best at it and others coming for the throne. Paul has sadly struggled to go deep in the playoffs but has dominated the regular season. Has CP3 won an MVP Award to this point?
James Harden
One of the top stars in the NBA today has to be James Harden. The Houston Rockets changed the landscape of their franchise when they fleeced the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire Harden. Houston scored a superstar waiting for the opportunity to showcase his potential in a larger role. Harden has been an MVP candidate just about every season joining the Rockets. Fans in Houston are hoping he will be able to lead them to an NBA Championship. Has he already given them a prize with the MVP Award?
Julius Erving
Julius Erving is regarded as a basketball legend due to his career spanning through both the NBA and the ABA. With the incredible nickname of Dr. J, fans loved the style of Erving that made for the game being exciting to watch Dr. J was arguably the best dunker in basketball history until the 90s when stars were more athletic and added creativity to their drunks. Erving influenced a lot of what the NBA is today and that’s a good thing. Did Dr. J ever win the MVP Award?
Hakeem Olajuwon
The Houston Rockets lucked out when selecting Hakeem Olajuwon with the top overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Olajuwon was arguably the best center of his time with an incredible hook shot. Houston won two NBA Championships under the leadership of Olajuwon during the two-year window where Michael Jordan was away from the NBA. Hakeem clearly proved he was a champion with his talent, leadership and drive. Do you remember if these tools helped him win an MVP Award during the regular season?
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki has been in the NBA for 19 years now and has taken the Dallas Mavericks to new highs. The European player has changed the reputation of Euro-basketball stars being soft and unable to hang in the NBA. Nowitzki’s body of work has made him a legend as he winds down towards the end of his career. We will mostly remember Nowitzki for leading his Mavericks to upset the LeBron James led Miami Heat super team in the 2001 NBA Finals. Does Dirk also have a regular season MVP Award to his name?
Moses Malone
The decision of Moses Malone to make the jump from high school to the NBA without any college helped inspire the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady. Moses had a tremendous career in the NBA proving not everyone needs college to thrive at their job. Malone is remembered for his incredible play on the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets during his NBA time. Philadelphia won the 1983 NBA Championship led by Malone. Did he ever win a regular season MVP Award?
Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning was a great center during the prime of his career and had a handful of incredible statistical seasons. The Charlotte Hornets had Mourning for the beginning years of his career. Pat Riley swooped in and acquired Mourning during his best years. The combination of Mourning and Tim Hardaway made them a force for a few seasons together. Mourning rejoined the Heat for the 2006 NBA Championship getting to achieve the ultimate high together. Did he ever win an MVP Award during his best years?
Isaiah Thomas
The “bad boy” era Detroit Pistons are a much underrated team when thinking of the greatest NBA squads. Isiah Thomas was the biggest star on the team of players known for their toughness and gritty play. Detroit won back to back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990 eliminating Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the process. Jordan eliminating them the following season ended their reign, but the two years were incredible thanks to Isaiah leading the year. Did Thomas ever win an MVP Award during the Pistons’ best seasons?
Bill Walton
Many basketball historians remember Bill Walton for his success in college, but he did incredible work in the NBA as well. Walton finished his NBA career with a double double average proving he did his job as a big man. The center won two NBA Championships during his career. Walton’s ring with the Portland Trail Blazers came with him as their best player. Another ring came towards the end of his career with the Boston Celtics. Did Walton ever win an MVP Award in the regular season?
Jerry West
You don’t get to become the logo of a professional sport without being one of its all-time greats. Jerry West is still the logo of the league today thanks to his outstanding career with the Los Angeles Lakers. As a fourteen time NBA All-Star, West was one of the best players in the league every season but his rookie year. The superb play of West made him a top tier superstar for his entire professional career. Did he ever take home a regular season MVP Award in that time?
Charles Barkley
Long before he turned into a comedic NBA pundit for TNT, Charles Barkley was one of the best power forwards in the game. The Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns witnessed the best years of Barkley as he played great all-around basketball. Barkley was good for a double double average every single season of his career aside from his rookie career. Unfortunately, Barkley never won an NBA Championship but his legacy is still incredible. Did Barkley ever win the MVP Award?