10 Surprising NBA Greats That Never Won The MVP Award

July 11, 2023

Who are the best players in NBA history who never won an MVP award during their otherwise impressive career. Joe Nicely dives into and ranks the top ten hardwood legends throughout the history of the NBA who didn't win MVP.

The NBA MVP award is the ultimate recognition of an individual's brilliance on the court. Unfortunately, there can be only one winner each year, which means there is a select group of players who, despite their outstanding contributions, never received the prestigious honor of being named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

This article dives into the group of the NBA's greatest talents who, shockingly, were never crowned as MVPs. We'll explore their undeniable impact, near-misses, and the enduring greatness that transcends the hardware of the league's top individual accolade.

From perennial All-Stars to statistical juggernauts, join us as we pay homage to the ten best NBA players who were surprisingly never able to earn the league's highest individual award.

#10. Clyde Drexler

Career Stats: 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG
Accolades: 10x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champion, NBA 50 Greatest Players, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Basketball Hall of Fame

Drexler, while highly regarded and respected, often played in the shadow of other prominent players like Michael Jordan. The Portland Trail Blazers won't be the last player on this list who had his MVP chances evaporate due to playing in the "Jordan Era".

In addition to constantly being compared to Jordan, who played the same position as Drexler, "Clyde the Glide" was never able to get over the championship hump while being the Blazers' best player and twice fell short in the NBA Finals with Portland, which perhaps built the narrative that Drexler couldn't elevate the play of those around him. While that storyline was totally unfair - and Drexler did eventually get a championship ring with the Houston Rockets - it was probably enough to damage his MVP chances.

#9. Chris Paul

Career Stats: 17.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.9 APG
Accolades: 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, NBA ROY, 6x NBA Steals Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Throughout his career, Chris Paul has played in an era with several exceptional players who have often been favored for the MVP award. This includes superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and James Harden, who have consistently put up impressive performances and had a significant impact on their respective teams.

Although the "Point God" is widely considered to be one of the greatest point guards of his generation, and in NBA history, Paul's style of play hasn't often lent itself to gaudy scoring averages or eye-catching performances. While the MVP is an individual award, he's also likely been hampered by the fact that he's never won an NBA title, a harsh reality that's probably hurt his perception among MVP voters.

#8. Patrick Ewing

Career Stats: 21.o PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.9 APG
Accolades: 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, NBA ROY, 3x All-Defense, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, NBA 50 Greatest Players, Basketball Hall of Fame

Yet another victim of the "Jordan Era", Ewing's sterling career just so happened to coincide with Michael Jordan's, as well as other superstar-caliber players such as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Additionally, Ewing's style of play as a dominant center may have been overshadowed by the rise of more perimeter-oriented players who were in vogue during that time.

While he was a consistent All-Star, a defensive force, and one of the most iconic players in New York Knicks history, the seven-footer was never able to capture an NBA title, despite multiple playoff appearances and a trip to the 1994 NBA Finals. Though the MVP award is an individual accomplishment, Ewing's failure to win a championship likely hindered his chances of taking home an MVP award.

#7. Isiah Thomas

Career Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG
Accolades: 12x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 2x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, NBA 50 Greatest Players, Basketball Hall of Fame

Sometimes, the MVP award is influenced by narratives and perceptions surrounding a player. Isiah Thomas, despite his skill and success, was not always viewed in the same light as some of his contemporaries due to his sometimes controversial nature and rivalry with other popular players of the time period, especially Michael Jordan.

Despite being the best player on a Detroit Pistons squad that won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, Thomas' contributions went overlooked by MVP voters, likely because his Pistons teams were largely built around their hard-nosed defense and offensive balance, rather than the style of exciting, high-octane basketball that was played by many of Thomas' contemporaries. Perhaps the most shocking note about his MVP bids is that he never actually came close, with a fifth-place finish in 1984 standing as his best result.

The snubs didn't stop at the MVP award for "Zeke", as he was also infamously left off the inaugural Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992. Although few would argue that Thomas wasn't one of the best point guards of his era, some of the game's more subjective individual awards eluded him.

Small MVP’s
Steve Nash- 2
Allen Iverson-1
Chris Paul- 0
Isiah Thomas- 0 MVP’s but back to back NBA titles and a finals MVP.
There’s a size bias in handing out monumental awards in professional sports. Isiah Thomas took the bullets first and now currently CP3 has been a victim. pic.twitter.com/nOkmKgmPmn

— Rashad Phillips (@RP3natural) January 28, 2021

#6. John Stockton

Career Stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG
Accolades: 10x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 2x NBA Steals Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, NBA 50 Greatest Players, NBA All-Time Assists Leader, Basketball Hall of Fame 

Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in history, Stockton still stands as the NBA's all-time assists leader. While that ability to distribute the ball and run the offense for some very good Utah Jazz squads was highly valuable, the MVP award often leaned towards players with scoring prowess and highlight-reel performances.

During his prime, superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Karl Malone (Stockton's own teammate) were dominating the league and capturing MVP honors. The presence of such extraordinary, and flashy, talent made it challenging for Stockton to stand out in the MVP race, despite his exceptional skills and contributions to the game.

#5. Elgin Baylor

Career Stats: 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG
Accolades: 11x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, NBA ROY, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, NBA 50 Greatest Players, Basketball Hall of Fame

Baylor played in an era that was filled with remarkable players, such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson, who were consistently in the MVP conversation. The award often went to players on championship-winning teams, and although Baylor led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals multiple times, they were unable to secure a title during his playing career, which puts him in the rather unique category of being named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players despite not having an MVP or NBA title on his luminous CV.

Despite not winning the MVP award, Baylor's impact on the game cannot be understated. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and a prolific scorer, showcasing incredible athleticism and offensive skills that influenced future generations of players.

#4. Dwyane Wade

Career Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG
Accolades: 13x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 3x NBA Champion, 3x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, NBA 75th Anniversary

While Wade had several outstanding seasons, he faced stiff competition from other remarkable players during his prime, such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dirk Nowitzki, who were recognized with MVP honors during that time. Injuries also took a toll on "D-Wade" during his outstanding career, as he battled a painful knee injury during a portion of his prime. Wade's impact and championship-winning legacy as a player extends far beyond individual accolades, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history.

#3. Scottie Pippen

Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG
Accolades: 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 6x NBA Champion, 10x All-Defense, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Basketball Hall of Fame

Many players on this list have had their MVP chances hurt by sharing the court with outstanding teammates. That's especially true for Scottie Pippen, a player that spent his prime playing in the biggest shadow of all, as he shared the court with Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls. While Jordan and Pippen's skills meshed perfectly and created a championship dynasty for the Bulls, it limited Pippen's individual accomplishments to a legitimate degree.

Jordan won the MVP award five times, and it's likely not a coincidence that the season Pippen logged his best career finish in the MVP voting (third) was when Jordan was away from the Bulls playing minor-league baseball across the 1993-94 campaign.

Scottie Pippen first season without MJ:

- Averaged 22/9/6
- 1st All-NBA First Team nod
- All-Star
- All-Star Game MVP
- All-Defense
- Led the Bulls to 55 wins
- One win away from ECF#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/JxXXmFeZNe

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 11, 2020

#2. John Havliceck

Career Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG
Accolades: 13x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 8x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Basketball Hall of Fame

It's hard to declare a 13-time All-Star and eight-time NBA Champion as overlooked, but perhaps it fits the bill with John Havliceck. The Celtics great often shared the spotlights with teammates such as Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, a fact that helped Boston to win championships but likely cost "Hondo" some individual awards such as the MVP.

The Celtics' all-time leading scorer isn't named Bird, Cousy, or Russell...it's a hustling Ohio State alum named Havliceck. Despite all that success, his best-ever finish in the MVP voting was fourth in 1972.

#1. Jerry West

Career Stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG
Notable Accolades: 13x All-Star, 12x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Basketball Hall of Fame

The top spot on this list comes with little debate, as Jerry West is without question the best NBA player never to win the MVP award. Widely considered one of the greatest players in history, the Lakers legend was an All-Star in every year of his career but finished runner-up in the MVP voting four times.

In 1970, Willis Reed won MVP. However Jerry West felt that he was not only the best player in the NBA, but also the most deserving of the award.

“And not winning the MVP Award was probably the single most disappointing thing to me individually. The award went to Willis Reed,… pic.twitter.com/fI12NwCf0T

— The NBA Realist (@nbarealist23) March 13, 2023

West holds the rather dubious honor of being the only player on a losing team to be named NBA Finals MVP, though "The Logo" could never quite get over the hump to earn the regular season honor. Maybe it was just plain old bad luck that kept "Mr. Clutch" from winning the NBA's highest individual honor because he sure did everything a player could do across his illustrious 13-year career.