History
The MVP award has a storied history dating back to 1956, when it was first introduced. Initially
named simply the NBA MVP, it was later renamed after Maurice Podoloff, the league's first
commissioner. In 2022, the award was rebranded in honor of Michael Jordan, widely regarded as
one of the greatest basketball players of all time. This shift reflects both the evolving nature
of the NBA and its desire to link the award to an iconic figure synonymous with excellence. Over
the decades, the MVP has become one of the most prestigious honors in all of sports, celebrating
the best of each era.
Criteria
The criteria for winning MVP have changed throughout the years. The award is decided by a panel
of sportswriters and broadcasters, who cast votes ranking their top five choices. The player with
the highest total points wins. While the fundamental idea of rewarding the league's best player
remains unchanged, the interpretation of what makes an MVP has evolved. Some years, statistical
dominance prevails; in others, team success plays a crucial role. Recent rule changes now require
players to play a minimum number of games to be eligible, preventing stars from winning while
missing significant time. Ultimately, the MVP is a mix of individual brilliance and
narrative-driven success, making the race for the award compelling every season.
Trends & Anomalies
The MVP award has seen its fair share of fascinating storylines and anomalies. In 2016, Stephen
Curry became the first and only unanimous MVP, a testament to his revolutionary impact on the
game. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid's 2023 MVP season was historic for an unusual reason—he became the
first MVP ever to not reach the conference finals in his career at the time of winning.
International players have also left their mark, with Steve Nash breaking a decades-long drought
for non-American MVPs in 2005. Since then, the last six MVPs have all come from outside the
United States, reflecting the global growth of the game. These unique moments remind us that
while the MVP award celebrates greatness, it also tells the evolving story of basketball itself.