I knew it didn’t happen that often but I guess until recently I didn’t realize that LeBron is the only person of the last 20 years to accomplish this, which he did twice.
Tim Duncan was the last before him, in 2003 the year LeBron was drafted. So during LeBron’s time in the league, he is the only player to do so.
In history 10 players have done it:
- Willis Reed (1970)
- Kareem (1971)
- Moses Malone (1983)
- Larry Bird (1984, 86)
- Magic Johnson (1987)
- Michael Jordan (1991,92,96,98)
- Hakeem (1994)
- Shaq (2000)
- Duncan (2003)
- LeBron (2012,13)
Who can you see joining this list?
It’s tough because I feel MVPs are often given to players prior to their team being fully ready to win a chip, and by the time their team is built out, voter fatigue kicks in. Happened to the warriors, Bucks nuggets. Happened to lebron in the years he didn’t get mvp but won a title.
Seems like Jokic and Giannis have the best chance this year. And I’m a homer so I’ll throw KD in the mix as well.
If KD wins MVP he’d be the oldest player to win MVP since Jordan in 1998, both at age 35.
I’m even seeing some people saying LeBron might pull off MVP at 39, which would be unprecedented.