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The top 10 nba MVPs of all time list is not an easy one to compile, but I have tried my best. Here goes:
#10 Allen Iverson
Iverson is an 11-time NBA All-Star. He is the shortest in the list at 6’0”. He was picked in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and went on to become All-Star MVP in 2001 and 2005 season, he was the season MVP in the season 2000-2001 when he led the 76ers to the finals. Later he was traded to Denver Nuggets. He also played for Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies. .
#9 Tim Duncan
MVP in seasons 2001-02 and 2002-03, the 6’11” Duncan was picked up by the San Antonio Spurs in the draft in 1997. He, along with David Robinson, came to be known as the ‘Twin Towers’. A fundamental player Tim Duncan has great career stats in shooting and free throws. In 2003-04, Duncan reformed the Spurs sqaud with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli and made it the franchise best season. His team are once again in the Western Conference Finals this year.
#8 Steve Nash
Steve Nash, having a height of 6’3”, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns as a point guard. Then he was traded to Dallas, where he led them to the Western Conference finals. Returning back to the Suns, he was MVP for them in seasons 2004-05 and 2005-06. He guided the team with his sharp assists and led them to the Western Conference Finals.
#7 LeBron James
He was the first pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he led them to the Finals in 2007. Popularly known as ‘The King’, LeBron at 6’8” plays the Small Forward position. He was born in Akron, Ohio, and was MVP in the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-2012 and 2012-13 seasons. In 2010, he was traded to Miami Heat, and they reached the Finals the very first year. He won his first championship in 2012 and a second in 2013. In the current season, he has powered Miami into the Eastern Conference Finals.
#6 Moses Malone
MVP in seasons 1981-82 and 1982-83, he was known as Big Mo. Standing at 6’10”, Moses started off at Utah. He later had an MVP season with Houston and was traded to Philadelphia, where he again went through an MVP season. He was known for his agility in the paint. In his later years, he played for the Washington Bullets, Atlanta, Milauwakee and finally returned to the 76ers. In his last season he played for the Spurs before retiring in 1995. He too is a Hall of Fame member.
#5 Bill Russell
Standing at 6’10”, Russell was picked up in the draft by the Boston Celtics. He won the MVP award in 1958, 1961, 1962 and 1963. A great Celtics center, Russell holds the record for most championships won by an athlete in North American sports leagues. Powered by Bill, the Boston Celtics won 14 straight games in the 1957-58 season. The great player has been awarded a place in th NBA Hall of Fame.
#4 Larry Bird
At 6’9”, Larry was known as “Larry Legend”. He was MVP for three straight seasons in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and was one of the most versalite players ever. On joining the Celtics in 1978, he led the team to the Finals many times. In the 1984-85 season, Bird scored 60 points, a franchise high, against the Atlanta Hawks. He retired in 1992. Later in1997, he was appointed Indiana Pacers head coach and is now President of Basketball Operations at the same club.
#3 Magic Johnson
Standing at 6’9”, Magic was MVP in the 1986-87, 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. Drafted in the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers, he won a championship and an NBA Finals MVP in his rookie year. He then won four championships in the 1980s. He ended his career in 1991 after contracting HIV, but came back briefly. He had his famous rivalry with Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. A higly athletic person, Magic Johnson is more than a star on the Walk of Fame. He finally retired in 1996.
#2 Kareem Abdul Jabbar
His career saw him collect MVP titles in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1980. He, along with his high school basketball group, won 71 straight games before he got drafted into the NBA by the Milauwakee Bucks. The 7’2” center holds the record for six consecutive NBA MVP titles. His speciality was his popular ‘Skyhook’ shot which was impossible to stop while he was driving. He played in the league from 1969 to 1989 before retiring on 28 June 1989.
#1 Michael Jordan
‘His Airness’ was drafted into NBA by the Chicago Bulls. He was the MVP in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998. Apart from these he was the All Star Game MVP as well in 1988, 1996 and 1998. Despite just being 6’6”, he was legendary for his long hang times and drives. He retired in 1993, only to come back in 1995 before finally retiring on 15 January 1999. He remains the most popular basketball figure till date. He is what one calls, a Legend, and the standard by which basketball excellence is measured till date.
