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Crowning an NBA Finals MVP ought to be more straightforward than the regular season, considering the limited pool of participants available. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the unanimous choice following his incredible series run in the series and 50-point title-clinching game.
Even as easy as it is expected to be, there are situations where the choice is not entirely agreed upon. Few deserving players have been robbed as it seems like only the overall points average is being considered.
The last time a player from the losing team won the NBA Finals MVP was in 1969, when Jerry West was rewarded for his impressive showing. It was well-deserved, seeing how he averaged 37.9 points and 7.4 assists. However, that was the first and only time a player from the losing team won the finals MVP.
If the NBA was still handing out MVPs to players on opposing teams, LeBron James could have won the award in 2015. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost in six games, but LeBron put together a monster performance throughout the series.
That said, here are the top five players who could have won the NBA Finals MVP but did not.
#5 Dave Cowens - 1976 NBA Finals
Jo Jo White was awarded the 1976 NBA Finals MVP after putting together an incredible performance, especially in a close Game 5. But Dave Cowens was arguably the most impactful throughout the entire series.
The Boston Celtics closed out the series against the Phoenix Suns in six games, thanks to Cowens. He had a better night after leading the charge towards the end of the game, registering 21 points and 17 rebounds.
Although White had a better point average - 21.7, Cowens had an overall masterful performance in the series, averaging 20.5 points and 16.5 rebounds. He was also the Celtics' anchor on defense.
#4 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 1980 NBA Finals
Magic Johnson was phenomenal in the 1980 NBA Finals, filling in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center, who sustained an ankle sprain in Game 5 and did an exceptional job of it. To date, he is the only rookie to have won the Finals MVP.
Magic exploded for 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers. His performance was more impressive seeing as he was playing in an unnatural position.
Regardless, Abdul-Jabbar was unstoppable in the five games he featured in for the LA Lakers. He averaged 33.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 4.6 blocks in five games during the 1980 NBA Finals.
While this is not to take away from Magic's astounding performance throughout the series, Hakeem was slightly better. Perhaps things might have been different had he played in the series-ending Game 6.
#3 Stephen Curry - 2015 NBA Finals
LeBron James had another opportunity to lead the Cavaliers to glory in the 2015 NBA Finals, but the Golden State Warriors were too much for the Akron native. Andre Iguodala was announced as the 2015 NBA Finals MVP because of his work on slowing down LeBron.
Iguodala started the series off the bench but was quickly inserted into the starting lineup following his relative success in defending James. With Iguodala on the court, LeBron averaged 26.1 points, 2.9 turnovers, seven assists, a .381 field goal percentage, and 30% from beyond the arc per 36 minutes. Off the court, James averaged 34.9 points, 6.6 assists, and shot 43.9% from the field.
Iguodala's impact was certainly a factor that led to the Warriors' victory. But was it enough to earn him the NBA finals MVP award? Stephen Curry's decimation of the Cavs' defense both on and off the ball was exceptional. He averaged 26 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 steals.
#2 Tim Duncan - 2007 NBA Finals
James made his first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 after leading the Cavaliers to a victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Sadly, the Cavs were swept in the NBA Finals by the San Antonio Spurs.
Tim Duncan lost the NBA MVP to teammate Tony Parker. Although he led the series in points, averaging 24.5, it seemed like that was the only basis for the decision that year. While this is not to downplay Parker's sublime showing offensively, handing him the award on that basis alone was too pedestrian.
Although Duncan did not score as many points as Parker, he was better in every other aspect of the game. He led his team in assists, rebounds and blocks, and tied Manu Ginobili for steals. The competition for the 2007 NBA Finals was stiff, perhaps they could have been co-MVPs.
#1 Walt Clyde Frazier - 1970 NBA Finals
Willis Reed was named the 1970 NBA Finals MVP and for good reason. But Walt Frazier was a driving force on offense throughout the entire series.
Reed was outstanding through the first four games and looked the most likely to win the finals MVP. However, him stepping up in the series clincher with 36 points, 19 assists, and seven rebounds was a significant factor in their NBA Finals Game 7 victory.
Surprisingly, a player who did not feature in all the games was given the award as it was not considered exactly a decade later. Regardless, Frazier could have won it as he was the second most impactful player for the New York Knicks against the LA Lakers.
