Andrew Pace
The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given annually to the best-performing player of the regular season. Since its inception in the 1955–56 season, only a handful of players have won back-to-back MVPs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for the most NBA MVP awards in history with six, and he won back-to-back MVPs twice. Other notable back-to-back MVP winners include Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, and Karl Malone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players who have won back-to-back MVPs | 12 |
| Players who have won back-to-back MVPs | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Nikola Jokić, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Moses Malone |
| Player with the most back-to-back MVPs | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (won 3 back-to-back MVPs) |
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What You'll Learn
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: the record holder
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the record holder for the most back-to-back MVP awards in the history of the NBA. With six MVP awards, he stands head and shoulders above his peers in this category.
Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., Abdul-Jabbar converted to Islam in 1968 and adopted the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which means "noble, powerful servant." He began using this name publicly in 1971, the same year he won his first MVP award.
Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He won three MVP awards with each team, achieving back-to-back seasons of winning the NBA MVP award with both franchises. In his first MVP-winning season (1970-71), he averaged 31.7 points and 16 rebounds per game, guiding the Bucks to their first NBA championship. He was a dominant force for the Bucks, winning his second MVP award in 1972, and his third in 1974. He was traded to the Lakers in 1975, with whom he played for the final 14 seasons of his career, winning a further three MVP awards.
Abdul-Jabbar was a pioneer in using yoga in the NBA, and he also credited Bruce Lee with teaching him "the discipline and spirituality of martial arts", which he said was a significant factor in his ability to play competitively for 20 seasons with few injuries. He played in 95% of his team's regular-season games, including 80 or more games in 11 seasons, and he even played in all 82 games five times.
Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, with some contemporaries even calling him the greatest of all time. He was a graceful player, renowned for his trademark skyhook shot, and he left an indelible mark on the game both on and off the court.
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Stephen Curry: the unanimous choice
Stephen Curry is the first player in NBA history to win the MVP award unanimously. Curry won back-to-back MVP awards for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, the latter of which was the first unanimous choice in NBA history. Curry's consecutive wins put him in the company of other back-to-back MVP winners, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan, who have all won the award in consecutive years.
Curry's first MVP award in 2014-15 came after he led the Golden State Warriors to their first NBA title in 40 years. In the 2014-15 season, Curry averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in just 32.7 minutes per game, the second-lowest MPG average in an MVP season. The following season, Curry's numbers improved even more, as he won the scoring title with 30.1 points per game and averaged 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game. Curry also joined the 50/40/90 club with a shooting split of 50/45/91 and led the league in steals per game.
Curry's unanimous MVP win in 2015-16 was a testament to his incredible impact on the court. That season, he averaged a stunning 30.1 points per game on an efficient 66.9% true shooting percentage. Curry's ability to score from anywhere on the court, coupled with his playmaking and leadership, made him the unanimous choice for the MVP award. He guided the Warriors to a record-breaking 73-9 regular season, solidifying his place in NBA history as one of the greatest players of all time.
Curry's back-to-back MVP awards are a testament to his skill, leadership, and impact on the court. His ability to consistently perform at an elite level, raise the play of his teammates, and lead the Warriors to success solidified his unanimous selection as MVP. Curry's achievements have left an indelible mark on the NBA, influencing the way the game is played and inspiring future generations of players. Curry's legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history is secure, and his unanimous MVP award is a shining testament to his talent and impact on the court.
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LeBron James: four-time MVP
LeBron Raymone James, nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. As of 2024, he has been named to 20 All-NBA Teams, including 13 First Team selections, both of which are NBA records.
James is a four-time NBA MVP, having won his first two MVPs with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. He then won consecutive MVPs in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat, becoming only the second player to win back-to-back MVP awards with two different teams. During the 2012-13 season, James led the Heat to their first NBA title in 2013, earning MVP and Finals MVP honours.
In 2014, James returned to the Cavaliers, leading them to their first-ever championship in 2016 by overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors. He signed with the Lakers in 2018, winning another title in 2020 and becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams. In 2023, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
James is the only player to win four MVP awards in a five-year span, matched only by Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell. In addition to his four MVP awards, James has also won three Olympic gold medals, the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, and the NBA Cup MVP award.
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Tim Duncan: the greatest power forward?
Tim Duncan is widely considered the greatest power forward in NBA history. In his 19-year NBA career, Duncan epitomised consistency, delivering passive interviews but dominating on the court. He is one of only 35 players to have won at least four NBA titles, and he led the San Antonio Spurs to the 2003 NBA Championship, earning Finals MVP recognition.
Duncan is one of only 12 players to have won back-to-back MVP awards, winning in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. In the 2001-02 season, he averaged 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The following year, Duncan averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists per game. He also won three Finals MVPs, was a 15-time All-Star, and was selected for the All-Defensive Team 15 times.
Duncan's versatility and all-around hyper-versatility set him apart from other power forwards. While there have been more prolific scorers and rebounders, Duncan's offensive game was fluid and efficient, and he was known for dominating defenders for entire games.
Duncan's career statistics further solidify his status as one of the greatest power forwards of all time. He is second all-time in points (regular season), sixth all-time in playoff rebounds, seventh all-time in playoff points, and seventh all-time in rebounds (regular season).
Duncan's impact extended beyond the court. His work ethic and hunger ran counter to the notion that he just wanted to keep things laid-back. According to his former teammate, Malik Rose, Duncan had no plans of retiring and was not looking forward to the end of his career. Duncan ultimately walked away from the NBA without fanfare, issuing a press release with no quote.
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Karl Malone: oldest MVP ever
Several NBA players have won back-to-back MVP awards, including Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Steve Nash.
Now, moving on to the main focus of this text, Karl Malone, also known as "the Mailman", is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Malone is the oldest MVP ever in the NBA. He was about to turn 34 years old when he won his first MVP award in 1997. Malone turned 36 a month after the 1998-99 NBA season, during which he averaged 23.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, leading the Utah Jazz to a 37-13 record. Malone's consistent performance earned him his second MVP award, making him the oldest player to achieve this feat.
Malone's impressive career spanned 18 seasons, from 1985 to 2003, primarily with the Utah Jazz. He formed a dynamic duo with his teammate John Stockton, and his consistent delivery earned him his well-deserved nickname. In addition to his two MVP awards, Malone was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a 14-time member of the All-NBA Team, and an 11-time NBA First Team selection. He holds the record for the most free throws made and attempted, as well as the most regular-season games started. With 36,928 career points, Malone ranks third in all-time NBA history for scoring, behind only LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
After retiring from the NBA, Malone joined the staff of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 2007 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, recognizing his outstanding individual career and his contribution to the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team. Malone's impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his playing career, as he returned to the Utah Jazz in 2013 as a big man coach, sharing his expertise with a new generation of players.
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Frequently asked questions
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the first player to win back-to-back MVPs. He won three MVP awards each with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Other players who have won back-to-back MVPs include Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for the most back-to-back MVPs, with a total of six awards.
