Stephen Curry became the first unanimous MVP in NBA History, receiving all 131 of first place votes. The prestigious award is well deserved as the now back to back MVP winner, had another stellar season, he made 402 three point shots, breaking the single season record of 286, set by him the previous season, averaged, 30.1 points while only playing less than 35 minutes per game, which is the first time any player has done that in NBA history, and his team broke the single season wins record by going 73-9. Curry definitely had one of the greatest regular seasons ever for an NBA player but while his MVP award was well deserved, he should not have been the first NBA player in history to win the MVP unanimously.
Here are five players who should have been the first unanimous MVP winners.
1. Michael Jordan 1995-1996
Michael Jordan’s 95-96 season is probably Jordan’s greatest season ever. Jordan, 32, at the time, was back from his short retirement stint and ready to play a full NBA season to regain his spot as best in the league. Which is exactly what he did, averaging 30 points per game and leading his team to the then single season wins record of 72. Jordan and the Bulls dominated that season but yet Jordan, for whatever reason, was still two first place votes shy of becoming unanimous MVP.
2. Shaquille O’Neal 1999-2000
Unlike Jordan, Shaq was just one first place vote shy from winning unanimous MVP. The most dominant force the NBA has seen, had one of the most dominating seasons, for the most dominating team in the NBA. Shaq averaged 29 points per game and 13 rebounds per game, while leading his team to a 67 win season.
3. LeBron James 2012-2013
LeBron coming off that stinging loss in the 2011-2012 finals and two years removed from “The Decision”, there is no surprise as to why James didn’t receive unanimous MVP for his 2012-2013 season. Similar to Shaq in 2000, LeBron was also one first place vote shy of being the unanimous MVP. LeBron averaged 26 points per game, 8 rebounds per game and 7 assist per game and while neither of his stats that season were the league’s best, those numbers showed that he was the league’s best overall player. But what LeBron meant to that Miami Heat team defined what being the most valuable player to a team should be.
4. Larry Bird 1985-1986
Stability might have cost Larry Bird unanimous MVP for his 1985-1986 season. As he became a consecutive three time winner of the award, but out of all three seasons, his 1985-1986 season might have been his best. Bird averaged 28 points per game, 10 rebounds and 6 assist per game.
5. Wilt Chamberlain 1966-1967
A different time and a different era but if anybody should have been the first unanimous MVP in NBA history it should have been Wilt Chamberlain. But too much surprise, Chamberlain, the same man who scored a record 100 points in a game, wasn’t the first. However, he should have been for his 1966-1967 season, as Chamberlain averaged 24 points per game, 24 rebounds per game and 7 assist per game. Talk about dominating.
