The National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player Award is presented to the player who has exhibited exceptional play during an NBA Finals series. The award typically goes to a player on the winning team, though when it was first awarded to Jerry West in 1969, his Los Angeles Lakers' team lost to the Boston Celtics. This was the only year that the award went to a player whose team did not win the championship. Logo of the NBA Finals. ... Jerry Alan West (born May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia) is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the NBAs Los Angeles Lakers. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ...

The award was originally a black trophy with a gold basketball-shaped sphere at the top, similar to the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, until a smaller trophy was introduced in 2005 and presented to the Finals MVP, Tim Duncan. The Larry OBrien trophy is coveted by NBA teams. ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ...

All-time award winners

The following is a list of the All-time Finals Most Valuable Players.^[1] Michael Jordan has won the award 6 times to lead all players. Magic Johnson is the youngest player and only rookie to be named the Finals MVP at the age of 20 years in the 1980 NBA Finals. The only three non-American-born stars to win the award are Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria in 1994 and 1995), Tim Duncan (Virgin Islands in 1999, 2003 and 2005) and Tony Parker (France in 2007), although Parker was the only awardee not an American citizen at the time. For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... Earvin Johnson redirects here. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The 1994 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1993-94 National Basketball Association season, featuring the Eastern Conferences New York Knicks and the Western Conferences Houston Rockets. ... The 1995 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1994-95 NBA season. ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The 1999 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1998-99 NBA season. ... The 2003 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2002-03 NBA season. ... The 2005 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2004-05 National Basketball Association season. ... This article is about the French basketball player. ... The 2007 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2006-07 National Basketball Association season, and was the conclusion of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. ...

Year	Player	Team
2007	Tony Parker	San Antonio Spurs
2006	Dwyane Wade	Miami Heat
2005	Tim Duncan (3)	San Antonio Spurs
2004	Chauncey Billups	Detroit Pistons
2003	Tim Duncan (2)	San Antonio Spurs
2002	Shaquille O'Neal (3)	Los Angeles Lakers
2001	Shaquille O'Neal (2)	Los Angeles Lakers
2000	Shaquille O'Neal	Los Angeles Lakers
1999	Tim Duncan	San Antonio Spurs
1998	Michael Jordan (6)	Chicago Bulls
1997	Michael Jordan (5)	Chicago Bulls
1996	Michael Jordan (4)	Chicago Bulls
1995	Hakeem Olajuwon (2)	Houston Rockets
1994	Hakeem Olajuwon	Houston Rockets
1993	Michael Jordan (3)	Chicago Bulls
1992	Michael Jordan (2)	Chicago Bulls
1991	Michael Jordan	Chicago Bulls
1990	Isiah Thomas	Detroit Pistons
1989	Joe Dumars	Detroit Pistons
1988	James Worthy	Los Angeles Lakers
1987	Magic Johnson (3)	Los Angeles Lakers
1986	Larry Bird (2)	Boston Celtics
1985	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2)	Los Angeles Lakers
1984	Larry Bird	Boston Celtics
1983	Moses Malone	Philadelphia 76ers
1982	Magic Johnson (2)	Los Angeles Lakers
1981	Cedric Maxwell	Boston Celtics
1980	Magic Johnson	Los Angeles Lakers
1979	Dennis Johnson	Seattle SuperSonics
1978	Wes Unseld	Washington Bullets
1977	Bill Walton	Portland Trail Blazers
1976	Jo Jo White	Boston Celtics
1975	Rick Barry	Golden State Warriors
1974	John Havlicek	Boston Celtics
1973	Willis Reed (2)	New York Knicks
1972	Wilt Chamberlain	Los Angeles Lakers
1971	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Milwaukee Bucks
1970	Willis Reed	New York Knicks
1969	Jerry West	Los Angeles Lakers†

† = Losing Team The 2007 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2006-07 National Basketball Association season, and was the conclusion of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article is about the French basketball player. ... The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. ... The Miami Heat (known as the HEAT [in all capital letters] on official team publications) is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. ... The 2005 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2004-05 National Basketball Association season. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003-04 National Basketball Association season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Chauncey Ray Billups (born September 25, 1976, in Denver, Colorado) is an American professional basketball player. ... The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... The 2003 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2002-03 NBA season. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 2002 NBA Finals was the 56th championship round of the National Basketball Association. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Shaquille Rashaun ONeal (pronounced sha-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, regarded as one of the most dominant in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... NBA Finals logo from NBA.com. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Shaquille Rashaun ONeal (pronounced sha-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, regarded as one of the most dominant in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 2000 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1999-2000 National Basketball Association season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Shaquille Rashaun ONeal (pronounced sha-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, regarded as one of the most dominant in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1999 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1998-99 NBA season. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1997 NBA Finals was the concluding series of the 1997 NBA Playoffs that determined the champion of the 1996–97 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Official 1996 NBA Finals logo. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1995 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1994-95 NBA season. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The 1994 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1993-94 National Basketball Association season, featuring the Eastern Conferences New York Knicks and the Western Conferences Houston Rockets. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1992-1993 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1992 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1991-92 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1991 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1990-91 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-1990 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Isiah Lord Thomas III () (born April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is currently the head coach of the NBAs New York Knicks. ... The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... The 1989 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1988-1989 NBA season Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Joe Dumars (born May 24, 1963 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is the Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations and a former NBA basketball player. ... The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987-88 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... James Ager Worthy (born February 27, 1961 in Gastonia, North Carolina) is a retired American college and professional basketball player. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1987 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1986-87 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Earvin Johnson redirects here. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1986 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1985-1986 NBA season The Boston Celtics won the series over the Houston Rockets four games to two. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a retired American NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the best players of all time, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1985 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1984-85 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947 as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr) is an American athlete and retired professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1984 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1983-1984 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a retired American NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the best players of all time, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player who also played in the American Basketball Association (ABA), as well as on the NBAs Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Bullets. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 1982 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1981-1982 NBA season How They Got Here After being upset in the 1981 NBA Playoffs by the surprising Houston Rockets in a 3-game mini-series, the Lakers were back in championship form. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Earvin Johnson redirects here. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1981 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1980-1981 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Cedric Maxwell Cedric Bryan Maxwell (born November 21, 1955, in Kinston, North Carolina) is a retired American professional basketball player now in radio broadcasting. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Earvin Johnson redirects here. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1979 NBA Finals were won by the Seattle Supersonics defeating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Dennis Johnson (September 18, 1954 – February 22, 2007), nicknamed DJ, was an American professional basketball player and coach. ... The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) are an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington. ... Series Summary Bullets win series 4-3 Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Westley Sissel Wes Unseld (born March 14, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky) is an American former basketball player and coach in the NBA. Unseld is a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. ... Washington Bullets redirects here. ... The 1977 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1976-77 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... William Theodore Walton III, better known as Bill Walton (born November 5, 1952), is a retired American basketball player and current television sportscaster. ... The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. ... The 1976 NBA Finals was the championship round for the 1975-1976 NBA season. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Series Summary Warriors win series 4-0 Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Richard (Rick) Francis Dennis Barry III (born March 28, 1944, in Elizabeth, New Jersey) is an American former professional basketball player. ... The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. ... The Eastern Belfast Ladz defeat The Western Belfast Ladz, 4 games to 3. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... John J. Havlicek (born April 8, 1940 in Martins Ferry, Ohio) is a retired American professional basketball player who competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA titles, half of them coming in his first four seasons. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Series Summary Knicks win series 4-1 Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Willis Reed Jr. ... Knicks redirects here. ... Series Summary Lakers win series 4-1 Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wilton Norman Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936–October 12, 1999), nicknamed Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, and Chairman of the Boards, was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; and also played for... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... Series Summary Bucks win series 4-0 Categories: | ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947 as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr) is an American athlete and retired professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... How They Got Here The New York Knicks had a spectacular season, theyre 60 wins came as a result of team play instead of big name superstars, something the 2004 Detroit Pistons successfully did in winning their championship. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Willis Reed Jr. ... Knicks redirects here. ... The 1969 NBA Finals was one of the most spectacular Finals series ever. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Jerry Alan West (born May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia) is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the NBAs Los Angeles Lakers. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ...

Multiple honors

Players

Teams For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ... Timothy Tim Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... Shaquille Rashaun ONeal (pronounced sha-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, regarded as one of the most dominant in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... Earvin Johnson redirects here. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947 as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr) is an American athlete and retired professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a retired American NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the best players of all time, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. ... Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... Willis Reed Jr. ...

The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... Knicks redirects here. ...

External links

• Hoopedia.NBA.com article

References