The National Basketball Association first named a Most Valuable Player after the 1955-56 NBA season. The winner receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, named in honor of the first president of the NBA who served from 1946 until his retirement in 1963. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won the award in six different seasons, more than any other player. Bill Russell and Michael Jordan both won the award five times. NBA logo, depicting former star Jerry West Location of NBA teams, conferences and divisions NBA redirects here. ... The 1955-56 NBA Season was the 10th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Maurice Podoloff (1890 - 1985) was a U.S. lawyer and basketball & ice hockey administrator. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... William Fenton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons that he played. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ...

The winner is selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from the United States and Canada, near the end of the regular season. The most recent recipient was Steve Nash for 2005-06, the first Canadian and third foreign-born player to win the award. Stephen John Nash (born February 7, 1974 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a Canadian All-Star National Basketball Association player for the Phoenix Suns. ...

In contrast to other leagues, every player to win the NBA's MVP award has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, except for players who won the award after 1993-94 and are not yet eligible for induction. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at basketball, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game. ...

MVP voting takes place immediately following the regular season, in order to judge all players over the same period of time, as opposed to giving more weight to a player who has a strong playoff run. This is a common practice among sports leagues, but some critics of this practice believe that the voting for MVP should not take place until after the playoffs. [1] In the last 25 years, only players from teams with 50 or more wins have won the award, all but assuring that the MVP will be from a playoff-bound team.

Like North America's other major professional sports leagues, the NBA MVP award is chosen by journalists. About 125 members of the media each rank their top 5 candidates, with varying points awarded for each rank. In contrast, the All-NBA Defensive awards are selected by NBA head coaches. In the United States (or the U.S. and Canada by some definitions), the major professional sports leagues are those three or four professional sports leagues with the largest fan bases and television audiences (and therefore, the largest revenues and player salaries). ...

Winners by season

The 1954-55 NBA Season was the 9th season of the National Basketball Association. ... The 1955-56 NBA Season was the 10th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Bob Pettit (with the ball) as a player of the St. ... The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. ... The 1956-57 NBA season was the 11th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Jordan Louise Aseo (born December 29, 1989 in New York City, New York) is a former basketball player, who played guard with the Boston Celtics from 1951 to 1963 and the Cincinnati Royals in the 1969-1970 season. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1957-58 NBA Season was the 12th season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Fenton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons that he played. ... The 1958-59 NBA Season was the 13th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Bob Pettit (with the ball) as a player of the St. ... The 1959-60 NBA Season was the 14th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Wilton Norman Chamberlain, commonly known as Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was a National Basketball Association basketball player. ... The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. ... The 1960-61 NBA Season was the 15th season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons, in which he led the Boston Celtics to eight straight championships. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1961-62 NBA Season was the 16th season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons, in which he led the Boston Celtics to eight straight championships. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1962-63 NBA Season was the 17th season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons, in which he led the Boston Celtics to eight straight championships. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1963-64 NBA Season was the 18th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Oscar Palmer Robertson (born November 24, 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee) was one of the greatest basketball players in history. ... The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. ... The 1964-65 NBA Season was the 19th season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in the 13 seasons, in which he led the Boston Celtics to eight straight championships. ... The 1965-66 NBA Season was the 20th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Wilton Norman Chamberlain, commonly known as Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was a National Basketball Association basketball player. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 1966-67 NBA Season was the 21st season of the National Basketball Association. ... Wilton Norman Chamberlain, commonly known as Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was a National Basketball Association basketball player. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 1967-68 NBA Season was the 22nd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Wilton Norman Chamberlain, commonly known as Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was a National Basketball Association basketball player. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 1968-69 NBA Season was the 23rd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Westley Sissel Wes Unseld (born March 14, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a 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; for the song by The Clash, see Washington Bullets (song). ... The 1969-70 NBA Season was the 24th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Willis Reed Willis Reed, Jr. ... The New York Knicks (or New York Knickerbockers) are a professional basketball team based in New York City. ... The 1970-71 NBA Season was the 25th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ... The 1971-72 NBA Season was the 26th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The 1972-73 NBA Season was the 27th season of the National Basketball Association. ... David William Cowens (born October 25, 1948 in Newport, Kentucky) is a former professional basketball player. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1973-74 NBA Season was the 28th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ... The 1974-75 NBA Season was the 29th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Robert Allen Bob McAdoo (born September 25, 1951 in Greensboro, North Carolina) is a former professional basketball player who spent his fourteen-season career between the center and power forward positions in the National Basketball Association. ... The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1975-76 NBA Season was the 30th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1976-77 NBA Season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1977-78 NBA Season was the 32nd season of the National Basketball Association. ... William Theodore Walton III, better known as Bill Walton (born November 5, 1952 in La Mesa, California), is an American former basketball player and current television sportscaster. ... The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. ... The 1978-79 NBA Season was the 33rd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia) is an American former NBA basketball player who also played in the ABA, as well as on the NBAs Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Bullets. ... The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The 1979-80 NBA Season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1980-81 NBA Season was the 35th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950 in Roosevelt, New York), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American former basketball player who helped launch the modern style of play that emphasizes leaping ability and play above the rim. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 1981-82 NBA Season was the 36th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia) is an American former NBA basketball player who also played in the ABA, as well as on the NBAs Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Bullets. ... The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The 1982-83 NBA Season was the 37th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia) is an American former NBA basketball player who also played in the 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 1983-84 NBA Season was the 38th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former NBA basketball player. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1984-85 NBA Season was the 39th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former NBA basketball player. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1985-86 NBA Season was the 40th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former NBA basketball player. ... The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1986-87 NBA Season was the 41st season of the National Basketball Association. ... Magic Johnson Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1987-88 NBA Season was the 42nd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1988-89 NBA Season was the 43rd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Magic Johnson Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1989-90 NBA Season was the 490 th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Magic Johnson Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 1990-91 NBA Season was the 45th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1991-92 NBA Season was the 46th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1992-93 NBA Season was the 47th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963 in Leeds, Alabama) is a former American basketball power forward. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... The 1993-94 NBA season was the 48th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a former professional basketball player whose glory days were with the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. ... The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ... The 1994-95 NBA season was the 49th season of the National Basketball Association. ... David Robinson. ... The San Antonio Spurs are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 1995-96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association, although the league didnt celebrate this aniversary until the following season. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1996-97 NBA season is the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. ... Karl Malone (born July 24, 1963 in Bernice, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player. ... The Utah Jazz is a National Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... The 1997-98 NBA season was the 52nd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former basketball player, and is considered by many to be the greatest of all time. ... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... The 1998-99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association. ... Karl Malone (born July 24, 1963 in Bernice, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player. ... The Utah Jazz is a National Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... The 1999-2000 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Shaquille Rashaun ONeal (born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is one of the National Basketball Associations most dominant basketball players. ... The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. ... The 2000-01 NBA season was the 55th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975, in Hampton, Virginia), nicknamed A.I. and The Answer, is an American professional basketball player. ... The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The 2001-02 NBA season is the 56th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Timothy Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The San Antonio Spurs are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 2002-03 NBA season is the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Timothy Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. ... The San Antonio Spurs are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... The 2003-04 NBA season is the 58th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Kevin Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. ... The Minnesota Timberwolves are a National Basketball Association team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ... The 2004-05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... Stephen John Nash (born February 7, 1974 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a Canadian All-Star National Basketball Association player for the Phoenix Suns. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... The 2005-06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. ... Stephen John Nash (born February 7, 1974 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a Canadian All-Star National Basketball Association player for the Phoenix Suns. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. ...

References

• NBA.com Awards List. URL accessed April 12, 2006.