Who Has the Closest Unanimous MVP? The Race for Near-Perfect Basketball Glory
The NBA MVP award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in professional basketball. While many players have dominated seasons and earned the trophy, a truly unanimous MVP – one where every single voter casts their first-place ballot for that player – is exceptionally rare. This begs the question: Who has the closest unanimous MVP? It’s a question that delves into the history of incredible individual performances and the nuances of voter sentiment.
Understanding the Unanimous MVP
Before we dive into the "closest," it's crucial to define what a unanimous MVP means. It signifies a season where a player's dominance was so overwhelming and undeniable that no other player received a single first-place vote. This level of consensus is the pinnacle of individual achievement in the NBA.
The Lone King of Unanimity: Stephen Curry
As of the current NBA landscape, there is only one player who has achieved a truly unanimous MVP award: Stephen Curry in the 2015-2016 season.
Curry's 2015-2016 campaign was nothing short of legendary. He led the Golden State Warriors to a then-record 73-9 regular season. His offensive brilliance was on full display, as he shattered his own record for three-pointers made in a season, shooting at an astonishing clip. His scoring, playmaking, and overall impact on the game were so profound that he garnered every single first-place vote from the 131 media members who cast ballots.
Stephen Curry's 2015-2016 Season in Numbers:
- Points Per Game: 30.1
- Assists Per Game: 6.7
- Rebounds Per Game: 5.4
- Steals Per Game: 2.1
- Three-Pointers Made: 402 (a then-record)
- Field Goal Percentage: 50.4%
- Three-Point Percentage: 45.4%
- Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 31.45
The 2015-2016 season saw Curry redefine what was possible on the basketball court, and the voters responded with an unprecedented show of unanimous support. It was a season where his brilliance transcended typical voting narratives and established him as the sole recipient of this ultimate individual accolade.
What About "Close" Unanimous MVP Seasons?
While Stephen Curry is the only player to achieve true unanimity, there have been seasons where MVP candidates came incredibly close. These instances are often what people are thinking of when they ask about the "closest unanimous MVP." These are seasons where one player dominated the voting, receiving a vast majority of first-place votes, but a handful of voters opted for another deserving candidate.
Notable Near-Unanimous MVP Campaigns:
- Shaquille O'Neal (1999-2000): Shaq came extremely close to a unanimous MVP in the 1999-2000 season. He received 120 out of 121 first-place votes. The single vote that went elsewhere was cast for Kevin Garnett. O'Neal averaged an incredible 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to 67 wins.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-1971): In his first MVP season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) was also remarkably close. He secured 109 out of 110 first-place votes. The lone dissenting vote went to John Havlicek. Abdul-Jabbar posted averages of 27.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks, leading the Bucks to the championship.
- LeBron James (2012-2013): LeBron James has won multiple MVP awards, but his 2012-2013 season was particularly dominant. He received 120 out of 121 first-place votes, with the single outlier vote going to Carmelo Anthony. James averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, guiding the Miami Heat to an incredible 27-game winning streak and a 66-win season.
These seasons highlight how dominant individual performances can be, even if they don't reach the absolute threshold of unanimity.
Why is Unanimity So Rare?
Several factors contribute to the rarity of a unanimous MVP:
- Voter Diversity: MVP voting is typically done by a panel of sports journalists. Different voters may have different criteria, weighting certain aspects of a player's game more heavily than others. Some might prioritize scoring, while others value defense, leadership, or team success.
- Narrative and Storytelling: Sometimes, the MVP race develops a compelling narrative. If a player is having an exceptional season in a way that captures the public imagination, it can sway some votes, even if another player is statistically superior.
- Team Success: While individual brilliance is key, a player's contribution to their team's overall success is also a significant factor. If two players have similar individual stats but one leads their team to a far better record, that often influences voters.
- Personal Bias: Even seasoned voters can have subconscious biases that might lead them to favor a particular player or play style.
- "Voter Fatigue": In cases of players who have won multiple MVPs, some voters might feel compelled to spread the love, even if the player is having another MVP-caliber season.
The single dissenting vote in these near-unanimous seasons often becomes a talking point, highlighting the subjective nature of awards, even in the face of overwhelming evidence for one candidate.
Conclusion: A Golden Standard of Dominance
When discussing the "closest unanimous MVP," it's important to distinguish between the sole recipient of absolute unanimity and those who came agonizingly close. Stephen Curry stands alone as the only NBA player to achieve a truly unanimous MVP award, a testament to his revolutionary 2015-2016 season. However, the near-perfect campaigns of Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James are also etched in NBA history, showcasing moments where one player's dominance was almost universally acknowledged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many players have won the NBA MVP award unanimously?
Only one player in NBA history has won the MVP award unanimously: Stephen Curry in the 2015-2016 season. He received all 131 first-place votes.
Why is it so hard to achieve a unanimous MVP?
It's difficult because MVP voting involves multiple media members, each with potentially different criteria and preferences. Factors like team success, statistical dominance across multiple categories, and narrative can all influence individual votes, making it challenging for one player to secure every single first-place ballot.
Which players have come the closest to a unanimous MVP besides Stephen Curry?
Several players have come very close. Shaquille O'Neal in 1999-2000, LeBron James in 2012-2013, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970-1971 each received all but one first-place vote.
What does it mean for an MVP award to be "unanimous"?
An MVP award is considered "unanimous" when every single voter casts their first-place ballot for that particular player. It signifies an unparalleled level of consensus on their dominance during that season.
