5 NBA players who didn't deserve to win the MVP award featuring Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, and more
Winning the MVP award is one of the highest individual honors for NBA players. The league picks the most valuable players every year and several players have won the prestigious award a couple of times.
Unfortunately, there have been some controversies regarding the MVP voting process. A few MVP winners did not deserve to win the award as their competitors had better stats or more success.
This article will list five NBA players who did not deserve to win the MVP award.
Derrick Rose was the youngest NBA player to win the MVP award, but he didn't deserve it
Back in 2011, Derick Rose became the youngest NBA player to win the MVP award. At the age of 22, the Chicago Bulls guard dominated his opponents and helped his team get to the top of the standings.
During his MVP season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. He also shot 44.5% from the field and finished the season with 13.1 win shares.
The Bulls finished their season with a 62-20 record, four more wins than the Miami Heat, who were second in the East. However, LeBron James, who averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists, was a better choice for the award. He was also more efficient at 51.0% shooting.
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Dwight Howard, who finished second in MVP voting, was also fantastic. The Orlando Magic finished the season with 52 wins thanks to Howard's 22.9 points and 14.1 rebounds per game.
Kobe Bryant shouldn't have won the MVP award in 2008
Kobe Bryant won his sole MVP award in the 2007-08 season. The LA Lakers guard received the honor after averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Bryant was the leader of the team who finished the season with a 57-25 record.
While Bryant's stats were great, it was Chris Paul who should have won the award. Paul led the New Orleans Hornets to 56 wins this season after averaging 21.1 points and 11.6 assists per game.
The Hornets guard was also much more efficient and had more win shares, 17.8 to Kobe's 13.8.
Bryant should have been named the MVP over Steve Nash in 2006
The LA Lakers legend did not deserve to win the MVP award in 2008, but he should have won it in 2006. Instead, he finished fourth in MVP voting and the award was given to Steve Nash.
Nash was fantastic and he led the Phoenix Suns to a 54-28 record. He averaged a double-double with 18.8 points and 10.5 assists per game on 51.2% shooting.
Despite his impressive playmaking, Nash's MVP award should have been given to Kobe Bryant. This season, the Lakers guard averaged a career-high 35.4 points per game and was a great all-around player. Bryant was also a fantastic defender.
The Lakers, unfortunately, finished the season with only 45 wins, which is why Kobe finished fourth in voting.
LeBron James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to 50 wins in his third season, also had a good case to win the MVP award. He averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
Michael Jordan and Karl Malone should have been swapped
After the conclusion of the 1996-97 season, the NBA gave Karl Malone the MVP trophy. The power forward averaged 27.4 points on 55.0% shooting while also averaging 9.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
The Utah Jazz finished the season with a 64-18 record, which was the best record in the Western Conference.
While the Jazz had an impressive record, it was Michael Jordan who should have won the award. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to a 69-13 record after averaging 29.6 points. He also had more shares than the Jazz forward.
A year later, Jordan won the MVP award while Malone finished second in voting. This time, it was the big man who should have received the trophy as he was much more efficient than the Bulls guard.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won six MVP awards, but was robbed in 1978
Bill Walton was named the league's MVP in the 1977-78 season. While there is no doubt that the Portland Trail Blazers center was fantastic, he was worse in almost every statistical category than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Walton led his team to a 58-24 record after averaging 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. He shot 52.2% from the field.
The LA Lakers center averaged 25.8 points on 55.0% shooting. His rebounding and assisting numbers were slightly lower than Walton's as he averaged 12.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Abdul-Jabbar, however, had more steals, blocks and win shares.
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The only problem with the Lakers center was that his team finished the season with a 45-37 record, which played a huge role in voting.