A longstanding NBA tradition (especially this time of the year) is to throw stars under the bus for not leading their teams to the title. If Michael Jordan (before the 90s) and LeBron James had to endure that, you know nobody is safe. This approach puts a lot of emphasis on the star’s perceived shortcomings and not enough on the context in which the failure occurred. It could be due to injuries, but very often, it’s simply not having enough star power around them to go all the way.
The truth is, few things predict success better than the quality of your teammates, which is kind of duh considering no player is going to play more than 20 percent of the minutes on any given team. But we wanted to put that to the test with a fun exercise where we awarded points to each player in NBA history based on the star power of their teammates. We gave 10 points for playing with the MVP, nine points for the second-place finisher, and so on down to one point for playing with a 10th-place finisher. This is admittedly an arbitrary way to measure the star company of a player, but pretty telling all the same.
Below, you’ll see a ranking of the 75 players who played with the most star power, a list that includes both big-name players and rank-and-file ones. On average, they won 3.03 championship rings. For context, the players selected to the NBA75 list, the finest the league has ever seen, won 2.12 rings on average. It’s almost like playing with stars gets you closer to a title than playing like a star.
At the top of the list is Derek Fisher, who played with five players who finished in the Top 10 of the MVP voting with him on the team. Also worth noting: Seven of the nine winningest players in NBA history (rings-wise) crack the Top 9 of this ranking.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, No. 3 in 2003, No. 5 in 2004, No. 1 in 2008, No. 2 in 2009, No. 3 in 2010, No. 4 in 2011
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 9 in 1997, No. 4 in 1998, No. 6 in 1999, No. 1 in 2000, No. 3 in 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 5 in 2003, No. 6 in 2004
Kevin Durant MVP vote: No. 2 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014
Carlos Boozer MVP vote: No. 9 in 2007
Russell Westbrook MVP vote: No. 9 in 2013
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA Today
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964, No. 1 in 1965, No. 4 in 1966, No. 3 in 1967, No. 4 in 1969
Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 7 in 1958
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 6 in 1958, No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Boston Globe
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 7 in 1957, No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964
Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 7 in 1958
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 3 in 1956, No. 1 in 1957, No. 6 in 1958, No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964, No. 1 in 1965, No. 4 in 1966, No. 3 in 1967, No. 4 in 1969
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
Dave Cowens MVP vote: No. 7 in 1972, No. 1 in 1973
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963, No. 10 in 1970, No. 6 in 1971, No. 4 in 1972, No. 5 in 1973
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 4 in 1965, No. 5 in 1966
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Telegram & Gazette-USA TODAY NETWORK
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 7 in 1957, No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964, No. 1 in 1965
Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 7 in 1958
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 1 in 1957, No. 6 in 1958, No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 4 in 1965
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Walter Iooss Jr. /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964, No. 1 in 1965, No. 4 in 1966, No. 3 in 1967
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 4 in 1965, No. 5 in 1966
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Hakeem Olajuwon MVP vote: No. 2 in 1993, No. 1 in 1994, No. 5 in 1995, No. 4 in 1996
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, No. 3 in 2003
Manu Ginobili MVP vote: No. 10 in 2008
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 9 in 1997, No. 4 in 1998, No. 6 in 1999, No. 1 in 2000, No. 3 in 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 5 in 2003
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 2 in 2004, No. 4 in 2005, No. 8 in 2006, No. 4 in 2007, No. 7 in 2008
Tony Parker MVP vote: No. 9 in 2006
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Anfernee Hardaway MVP vote: No. 10 in 1995, No. 3 in 1996
Gary Payton MVP vote: No. 6 in 2000
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2004
Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 1 in 1988, No. 2 in 1989, No. 3 in 1990, No. 1 in 1991, No. 1 in 1992, No. 3 in 1993
Scottie Pippen MVP vote: No. 9 in 1992, No. 3 in 1994
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 2 in 1995, No. 9 in 1996, No. 3 in 2001, No. 6 in 2004
Tracy McGrady MVP vote: No. 4 in 2002, No. 4 in 2003
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
NBAE via Getty Images
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 7 in 1957, No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964
Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 7 in 1958
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 1 in 1957, No. 6 in 1958, No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1962, No. 8 in 1963
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 4 in 1979, No. 1 in 1980, No. 3 in 1981, No. 10 in 1982, No. 10 in 1983, No. 4 in 1984, No. 4 in 1985, No. 5 in 1986
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1982, No. 3 in 1983, No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985, No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988, No. 1 in 1989, No. 1 in 1990
Jamaal Wilkes MVP vote: No. 10 in 1981
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 4 in 1966, No. 3 in 1967, No. 4 in 1969
Dave Cowens MVP vote: No. 7 in 1972, No. 1 in 1973, No. 4 in 1974, No. 2 in 1975, No. 3 in 1976
Elgin Baylor MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 5 in 1964, No. 3 in 1965
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1970, No. 6 in 1971, No. 4 in 1972, No. 5 in 1973, No. 9 in 1974, No. 7 in 1975
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 5 in 1966
Terry Dischinger MVP vote: No. 8 in 1963
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images
Charles Barkley MVP vote: No. 1 in 1993, No. 10 in 1994, No. 6 in 1995
Clyde Drexler MVP vote: No. 6 in 1991, No. 2 in 1992
Kevin McHale MVP vote: No. 4 in 1987
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984, No. 1 in 1985, No. 1 in 1986, No. 3 in 1987, No. 2 in 1988
Robert Parish MVP vote: No. 4 in 1982
Terry Porter MVP vote: No. 9 in 1991
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Hal Greer MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Red Kerr MVP vote: No. 6 in 1963
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 5 in 1965, No. 1 in 1967, No. 1 in 1968
NBA titles won: 🏆
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dwyane Wade MVP vote: No. 3 in 2009, No. 5 in 2010, No. 7 in 2011, No. 10 in 2012, No. 10 in 2013
Jermaine O’Neal MVP vote: No. 3 in 2004
LeBron James MVP vote: No. 3 in 2011, No. 1 in 2012, No. 1 in 2013, No. 2 in 2014, No. 3 in 2015, No. 3 in 2016, No. 4 in 2017
Shawn Marion MVP vote: No. 10 in 2006
Steve Nash MVP vote: No. 1 in 2006, No. 2 in 2007
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics shoots against Red Kerr #10 of the Syracuse Nationals. (The Stevenson Collection/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Hal Greer MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 5 in 1965
NBA titles won: 🏆
Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Billy Cunningham MVP vote: No. 3 in 1969, No. 5 in 1970, No. 9 in 1971
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 5 in 1959
Red Kerr MVP vote: No. 6 in 1963
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 5 in 1965, No. 1 in 1966, No. 1 in 1967, No. 1 in 1968
NBA titles won: 🏆
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 1 in 1963, No. 3 in 1964, No. 1 in 1965, No. 4 in 1966, No. 3 in 1967, No. 4 in 1969
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 8 in 1963
Dave Cowens MVP vote: No. 7 in 1972, No. 1 in 1973, No. 4 in 1974, No. 2 in 1975, No. 3 in 1976
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 4 in 1965, No. 5 in 1966
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
The Stevenson Collection/NBAE via Getty Images
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Hal Greer MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Red Kerr MVP vote: No. 6 in 1963
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 5 in 1965, No. 1 in 1966
NBA titles won: 0
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Dave DeBusschere MVP vote: No. 10 in 1972
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Elgin Baylor MVP vote: No. 2 in 1963, No. 6 in 1964
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 5 in 1963, No. 5 in 1964, No. 3 in 1965
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Walt Frazier MVP vote: No. 4 in 1970, No. 7 in 1973, No. 6 in 1974
Willis Reed MVP vote: No. 2 in 1969, No. 1 in 1970, No. 4 in 1971
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 10 in 1983, No. 4 in 1984, No. 4 in 1985, No. 5 in 1986
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1983, No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985, No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988, No. 1 in 1989, No. 1 in 1990, No. 2 in 1991
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Charles T. Higgins/NBAE via Getty Images
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962
NBA titles won: 🏆
Anne Ryan-USA TODAY
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 10 in 2001
Kevin Johnson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1989
Mark Price MVP vote: No. 7 in 1992
Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 1 in 1996, No. 2 in 1997, No. 1 in 1998
Scottie Pippen MVP vote: No. 3 in 1994, No. 7 in 1995, No. 5 in 1996, No. 10 in 1998
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 7 in 1993
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 3 in 1999, No. 5 in 2000, No. 2 in 2001, No. 1 in 2003
Tom Chambers MVP vote: No. 9 in 1989
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Steve Lipofsky /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Kevin McHale MVP vote: No. 4 in 1987
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 2 in 1981, No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984, No. 1 in 1985, No. 1 in 1986, No. 3 in 1987, No. 2 in 1988, No. 10 in 1990, No. 9 in 1991
Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 2 in 1997
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 9 in 1981
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 4 in 1978, No. 4 in 1979, No. 1 in 1980, No. 3 in 1981, No. 10 in 1982, No. 10 in 1983, No. 4 in 1984, No. 4 in 1985
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1982, No. 3 in 1983, No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985
Phil Smith MVP vote: No. 7 in 1976
Rick Barry MVP vote: No. 4 in 1975, No. 4 in 1976
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 4 in 1984, No. 4 in 1985, No. 5 in 1986
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985, No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988, No. 1 in 1989, No. 1 in 1990, No. 2 in 1991
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 9 in 1997
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Brian Bahr /Allsport
Karl Malone MVP vote: No. 8 in 1988, No. 3 in 1989, No. 4 in 1990, No. 5 in 1991, No. 4 in 1992, No. 8 in 1993, No. 7 in 1994, No. 3 in 1995, No. 7 in 1996, No. 1 in 1997, No. 2 in 1998, No. 1 in 1999, No. 4 in 2000, No. 7 in 2001
NBA titles won: 0
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 2 in 1981, No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984, No. 1 in 1985, No. 1 in 1986, No. 3 in 1987, No. 2 in 1988, No. 10 in 1990, No. 9 in 1991
Robert Parish MVP vote: No. 7 in 1981, No. 4 in 1982
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 9 in 1981
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 7 in 1957, No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 3 in 1956, No. 1 in 1957, No. 6 in 1958, No. 4 in 1959, No. 4 in 1960, No. 6 in 1961
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Davis MVP vote: No. 6 in 2020
Donovan Mitchell MVP vote: No. 6 in 2023
Joel Embiid MVP vote: No. 2 in 2021, No. 2 in 2022
Kawhi Leonard MVP vote: No. 10 in 2015, No. 2 in 2016, No. 3 in 2017, No. 9 in 2019
LaMarcus Aldridge MVP vote: No. 9 in 2018
LeBron James MVP vote: No. 1 in 2010, No. 2 in 2020
Manu Ginobili MVP vote: No. 8 in 2011
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 7 in 2013, No. 10 in 2015
Tony Parker MVP vote: No. 5 in 2012, No. 6 in 2013
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
DeMar DeRozan MVP vote: No. 8 in 2018
Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP vote: No. 3 in 2022, No. 3 in 2023
Kawhi Leonard MVP vote: No. 9 in 2019
Kevin Durant MVP vote: No. 2 in 2010, No. 5 in 2011, No. 2 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014, No. 5 in 2016
Pascal Siakam MVP vote: No. 10 in 2020
Russell Westbrook MVP vote: No. 9 in 2013, No. 4 in 2015, No. 4 in 2016
NBA titles won: 🏆
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Charles Barkley MVP vote: No. 6 in 1986, No. 6 in 1987, No. 4 in 1988, No. 6 in 1989
Julius Erving MVP vote: No. 2 in 1980, No. 1 in 1981, No. 3 in 1982, No. 5 in 1983, No. 6 in 1984
Moses Malone MVP vote: No. 1 in 1983, No. 10 in 1984, No. 3 in 1985, No. 10 in 1986
Patrick Ewing MVP vote: No. 5 in 1990
NBA titles won: 🏆
Brian Bahr / Getty Images
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 2 in 1996, No. 7 in 1998
Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 2 in 1989, No. 3 in 1990, No. 1 in 1991, No. 1 in 1992, No. 3 in 1993
Scottie Pippen MVP vote: No. 9 in 1992, No. 3 in 1994, No. 7 in 1995
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 5 in 1998, No. 3 in 1999
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Elgin Baylor MVP vote: No. 5 in 1960, No. 3 in 1961, No. 4 in 1962, No. 3 in 1968, No. 5 in 1969
Jerry Lucas MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 5 in 1966
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 5 in 1962
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1963, No. 1 in 1964, No. 2 in 1965, No. 3 in 1966
Wayne Embry MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964
NBA titles won: 0
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 4 in 1969
Dave Cowens MVP vote: No. 7 in 1972, No. 1 in 1973, No. 4 in 1974, No. 2 in 1975
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1970, No. 6 in 1971, No. 4 in 1972, No. 5 in 1973, No. 9 in 1974, No. 7 in 1975
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 1 in 1977
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 4 in 1980
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 5 in 1980
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network
Dave Bing MVP vote: No. 4 in 1968
Jerry Lucas MVP vote: No. 5 in 1966
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 2 in 1970, No. 2 in 1971, No. 2 in 1972, No. 6 in 1973
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 2 in 1965, No. 3 in 1966, No. 4 in 1967
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 3 in 1972, No. 4 in 1973
NBA titles won: 🏆
VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images
Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 1 in 1988, No. 2 in 1989, No. 3 in 1990, No. 1 in 1991, No. 1 in 1992, No. 3 in 1993, No. 1 in 1996, No. 2 in 1997, No. 1 in 1998
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 10 in 1982, No. 10 in 1983, No. 4 in 1984, No. 4 in 1985, No. 5 in 1986
Kevin Johnson MVP vote: No. 7 in 1991
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1982, No. 3 in 1983, No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985, No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988
Tom Chambers MVP vote: No. 8 in 1990
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Kevin Durant MVP vote: No. 2 in 2010, No. 5 in 2011, No. 2 in 2012, No. 2 in 2013, No. 1 in 2014, No. 5 in 2016
Ray Allen MVP vote: No. 9 in 2005
Russell Westbrook MVP vote: No. 9 in 2013, No. 4 in 2015, No. 4 in 2016, No. 1 in 2017, No. 5 in 2018
NBA titles won: 0
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Connie Hawkins MVP vote: No. 5 in 1970
Elgin Baylor MVP vote: No. 3 in 1968
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 2 in 1966, No. 2 in 1971, No. 2 in 1972, No. 6 in 1973
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 1 in 1976
Pete Maravich MVP vote: No. 3 in 1977
Truck Robinson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1978
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 3 in 1972, No. 4 in 1973
NBA titles won: 🏆
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Hakeem Olajuwon MVP vote: No. 7 in 1987, No. 7 in 1988
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 4 in 1980, No. 2 in 1981, No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984, No. 1 in 1985
Robert Parish MVP vote: No. 7 in 1981, No. 4 in 1982
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 5 in 1980, No. 9 in 1981
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi Leonard MVP vote: No. 10 in 2015, No. 2 in 2016, No. 3 in 2017
LaMarcus Aldridge MVP vote: No. 9 in 2018
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 1 in 2003, No. 2 in 2004, No. 4 in 2005, No. 8 in 2006, No. 4 in 2007, No. 7 in 2008, No. 7 in 2013, No. 10 in 2015
Tony Parker MVP vote: No. 9 in 2006, No. 8 in 2009, No. 5 in 2012, No. 6 in 2013
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Lanier MVP vote: No. 4 in 1977, No. 10 in 1978
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 4 in 1980, No. 2 in 1981, No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984, No. 1 in 1985
Robert Parish MVP vote: No. 7 in 1981, No. 4 in 1982
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 5 in 1980, No. 9 in 1981
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network
Jerry Lucas MVP vote: No. 5 in 1966
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 3 in 1970, No. 1 in 1971, No. 1 in 1972, No. 2 in 1973, No. 1 in 1974, No. 5 in 1975
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1966, No. 4 in 1967, No. 5 in 1971
NBA titles won: 🏆
Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Elgin Baylor MVP vote: No. 2 in 1963, No. 6 in 1964
George McGinnis MVP vote: No. 5 in 1976
Jerry West MVP vote: No. 5 in 1963, No. 5 in 1964, No. 3 in 1965, No. 2 in 1966, No. 2 in 1972
Wes Unseld MVP vote: No. 1 in 1969, No. 8 in 1970
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 3 in 1972
NBA titles won: 🏆
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Connie Hawkins MVP vote: No. 5 in 1970
Dave Cowens MVP vote: No. 1 in 1973, No. 4 in 1974, No. 2 in 1975, No. 3 in 1976
David Thompson MVP vote: No. 7 in 1977
Dennis Johnson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1980
Gus Williams MVP vote: No. 8 in 1980
Jack Sikma MVP vote: No. 7 in 1979
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 5 in 1973, No. 9 in 1974, No. 7 in 1975
Lenny Wilkens MVP vote: No. 2 in 1968
Marvin Webster MVP vote: No. 10 in 1978
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
TANNEN MAURY/AFP via Getty Images
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 6 in 1990, No. 3 in 1991, No. 3 in 1992, No. 6 in 1993, No. 1 in 1995, No. 2 in 1996, No. 7 in 1998, No. 10 in 2001
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 5 in 1998, No. 3 in 1999, No. 5 in 2000, No. 2 in 2001
NBA titles won: 🏆
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi Leonard MVP vote: No. 10 in 2015, No. 2 in 2016, No. 3 in 2017
LaMarcus Aldridge MVP vote: No. 9 in 2018
Manu Ginobili MVP vote: No. 10 in 2008, No. 8 in 2011
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 1 in 2002, No. 1 in 2003, No. 2 in 2004, No. 4 in 2005, No. 8 in 2006, No. 4 in 2007, No. 7 in 2008, No. 7 in 2013, No. 10 in 2015
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Telegram & Gazette-USA TODAY NETWORK
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 7 in 1957, No. 1 in 1958, No. 2 in 1959, No. 2 in 1960, No. 1 in 1961, No. 1 in 1962, No. 1 in 1963
Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 7 in 1958
John Havlicek MVP vote: No. 10 in 1963
Tommy Heinsohn MVP vote: No. 10 in 1960, No. 7 in 1961
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Charles Barkley MVP vote: No. 10 in 1994, No. 6 in 1995
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 5 in 1986
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988, No. 1 in 1989, No. 1 in 1990, No. 2 in 1991
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 1 in 2000
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 3 in 1970
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1968
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 7 in 1963, No. 2 in 1964
NBA titles won: 0
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Dirk Nowitzki MVP vote: No. 1 in 2007, No. 10 in 2009
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, No. 3 in 2003, No. 5 in 2004, No. 4 in 2006
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 1 in 2000, No. 3 in 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 5 in 2003, No. 6 in 2004
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Draymond Green MVP vote: No. 7 in 2016
Kevin Durant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2017
LeBron James MVP vote: No. 6 in 2005, No. 2 in 2006, No. 5 in 2007, No. 4 in 2008, No. 1 in 2009, No. 1 in 2010, No. 3 in 2015
Stephen Curry MVP vote: No. 1 in 2016, No. 6 in 2017
NBA titles won: 0
DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1992, No. 6 in 1993, No. 2 in 1994
Dominique Wilkins MVP vote: No. 2 in 1986, No. 5 in 1987, No. 6 in 1988
John Stockton MVP vote: No. 8 in 1995
Karl Malone MVP vote: No. 3 in 1995, No. 7 in 1996, No. 1 in 1997, No. 2 in 1998
NBA titles won: 0
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Charles Barkley MVP vote: No. 4 in 1988, No. 6 in 1989
Dennis Rodman MVP vote: No. 10 in 1992
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 4 in 1980, No. 2 in 1981, No. 2 in 1982, No. 2 in 1983, No. 1 in 1984
Robert Parish MVP vote: No. 7 in 1981, No. 4 in 1982
Tiny Archibald MVP vote: No. 5 in 1980, No. 9 in 1981
NBA titles won: 0
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dwyane Wade MVP vote: No. 8 in 2005, No. 6 in 2006, No. 3 in 2009, No. 5 in 2010, No. 7 in 2011, No. 10 in 2012, No. 10 in 2013
Jimmy Butler MVP vote: No. 10 in 2023
LeBron James MVP vote: No. 3 in 2011, No. 1 in 2012, No. 1 in 2013, No. 2 in 2014
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 2 in 2005
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Charles Barkley MVP vote: No. 6 in 1986
David Thompson MVP vote: No. 7 in 1977, No. 3 in 1978
Julius Erving MVP vote: No. 2 in 1980, No. 1 in 1981, No. 3 in 1982, No. 5 in 1983, No. 6 in 1984
Moses Malone MVP vote: No. 1 in 1983, No. 10 in 1984, No. 3 in 1985, No. 10 in 1986
NBA titles won: 🏆
Charles T. Higgins/NBAE via Getty Images
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962
NBA titles won: 🏆
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Michael Jordan MVP vote: No. 2 in 1987, No. 1 in 1988, No. 2 in 1989, No. 3 in 1990, No. 1 in 1991, No. 1 in 1992, No. 3 in 1993
Scottie Pippen MVP vote: No. 9 in 1992, No. 3 in 1994
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Jerry Lucas MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 5 in 1966
Maurice Stokes MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 6 in 1957, No. 5 in 1958
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1961, No. 3 in 1962, No. 3 in 1963, No. 1 in 1964, No. 2 in 1965, No. 3 in 1966
Wayne Embry MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964
NBA titles won: 0
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Hal Greer MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 2 in 1956, No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Red Kerr MVP vote: No. 6 in 1963
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962
NBA titles won: 🏆
Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 3 in 1991, No. 6 in 1993, No. 1 in 1995, No. 2 in 1996, No. 7 in 1998, No. 10 in 2001
Dirk Nowitzki MVP vote: No. 8 in 2002, No. 7 in 2003
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 5 in 1998, No. 3 in 1999, No. 5 in 2000, No. 2 in 2001
NBA titles won: 🏆
Bob Pettit MVP vote: No. 1 in 1959
Cliff Hagan MVP vote: No. 9 in 1959
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 8 in 1961
Hal Greer MVP vote: No. 6 in 1964
Jack Twyman MVP vote: No. 6 in 1960
Red Kerr MVP vote: No. 6 in 1963
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962, No. 5 in 1965, No. 1 in 1966, No. 1 in 1967
NBA titles won: 🏆
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 4 in 1966
Bob Pettit MVP vote: No. 2 in 1961, No. 4 in 1963
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Sam Jones MVP vote: No. 5 in 1966
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960
NBA titles won: 🏆
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Bill Sharman MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956
Bob Cousy MVP vote: No. 3 in 1956
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Paul Arizin MVP vote: No. 3 in 1957, No. 8 in 1958, No. 5 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960
NBA titles won: 0
Andy Hayt/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Jamaal Wilkes MVP vote: No. 10 in 1981
Magic Johnson MVP vote: No. 8 in 1982, No. 3 in 1983, No. 3 in 1984, No. 2 in 1985, No. 3 in 1986, No. 1 in 1987, No. 3 in 1988, No. 1 in 1989
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1971
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Billy Cunningham MVP vote: No. 3 in 1969, No. 5 in 1970, No. 9 in 1971
George McGinnis MVP vote: No. 5 in 1976
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 1 in 1972, No. 2 in 1973
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1966, No. 1 in 1967, No. 1 in 1968
NBA titles won: 🏆
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Russell MVP vote: No. 3 in 1967
Jack Twyman MVP vote: No. 10 in 1959, No. 6 in 1960
Jerry Lucas MVP vote: No. 9 in 1964, No. 5 in 1966
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1961, No. 3 in 1962, No. 3 in 1963, No. 1 in 1964, No. 2 in 1965, No. 3 in 1966
NBA titles won: 🏆
GERARD BURKHART/AFP via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, No. 3 in 2003, No. 5 in 2004
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 4 in 1998, No. 6 in 1999, No. 1 in 2000, No. 3 in 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 5 in 2003, No. 6 in 2004
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Elvin Hayes MVP vote: No. 3 in 1979
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar MVP vote: No. 3 in 1970, No. 1 in 1971, No. 1 in 1972, No. 2 in 1973, No. 1 in 1974, No. 5 in 1975
Oscar Robertson MVP vote: No. 5 in 1971
Sidney Moncrief MVP vote: No. 7 in 1982
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Anthony Mason MVP vote: No. 9 in 1997
David Robinson MVP vote: No. 7 in 1998, No. 10 in 2001
Glen Rice MVP vote: No. 5 in 1997
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 5 in 1998, No. 3 in 1999, No. 5 in 2000, No. 2 in 2001, No. 1 in 2002, No. 1 in 2003, No. 2 in 2004
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Alonzo Mourning MVP vote: No. 3 in 2000
Manu Ginobili MVP vote: No. 10 in 2008
Tim Duncan MVP vote: No. 1 in 2002, No. 1 in 2003, No. 2 in 2004, No. 4 in 2005, No. 8 in 2006, No. 4 in 2007, No. 7 in 2008
Tim Hardaway MVP vote: No. 4 in 1997
Tony Parker MVP vote: No. 9 in 2006, No. 8 in 2009
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
Charles T. Higgins/NBAE via Getty Images
Dolph Schayes MVP vote: No. 5 in 1956, No. 4 in 1957, No. 2 in 1958, No. 6 in 1959, No. 8 in 1960, No. 8 in 1961
Larry Costello MVP vote: No. 7 in 1959
Tom Gola MVP vote: No. 7 in 1956, No. 8 in 1960
Wilt Chamberlain MVP vote: No. 1 in 1960, No. 4 in 1961, No. 2 in 1962
NBA titles won: 🏆
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Anfernee Hardaway MVP vote: No. 10 in 1995, No. 3 in 1996
Kobe Bryant MVP vote: No. 9 in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, No. 3 in 2003
Larry Bird MVP vote: No. 9 in 1991
Shaquille O’Neal MVP vote: No. 2 in 1995, No. 9 in 1996, No. 1 in 2000, No. 3 in 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 5 in 2003
NBA titles won: 🏆🏆🏆
