MVPs and Championships

[westkoast]

Had a random thought today about MVPs and teams winning the title.  In the past 20 years the team who had the Most Valuable Player has only won the championship 7 times.  It's only happened twice in the last 10 years thanks to Duncan/Spurs and Shaq/Lakers.

1989-90   Magic Johnson* (3)   Guard    United States   Los Angeles Lakers ( Did not win title)
1990?91   Michael Jordan* (2)   Guard    United States   Chicago Bulls
1991?92   Michael Jordan* (3)   Guard    United States   Chicago Bulls
1992?93   Charles Barkley*   Forward    United States   Phoenix Suns ( Did not win title)
1993?94   Hakeem Olajuwon*   Center    United States[c]   Houston Rockets
1994?95   David Robinson*   Center    United States   San Antonio Spurs ( Did not win title)
1995?96   Michael Jordan* (4)   Guard    United States   Chicago Bulls
1996?97   Karl Malone   Forward    United States   Utah Jazz ( Did not win title)
1997?98   Michael Jordan* (5)   Guard    United States   Chicago Bulls
1998?99   Karl Malone (2)   Forward    United States   Utah Jazz ( Did not win title)
1999?00   Shaquille O'Neal^   Center    United States   Los Angeles Lakers
2000?01   Allen Iverson^   Guard    United States   Philadelphia 76ers ( Did not win title)
2001?02   Tim Duncan^   Forward/Center    United States Virgin Islands[d]   San Antonio Spurs ( Did not win title)
2002?03   Tim Duncan^ (2)   Forward/Center    United States Virgin Islands[d]   San Antonio Spurs
2003?04   Kevin Garnett^   Forward    United States   Minnesota Timberwolves ( Did not win title)
2004?05   Steve Nash^   Guard    Canada   Phoenix Suns ( Did not win title)
2005?06   Steve Nash^ (2)   Guard    Canada   Phoenix Suns ( Did not win title)
2006?07   Dirk Nowitzki^   Forward    Germany   Dallas Mavericks ( Did not win title)
2007?08   Kobe Bryant^   Guard    United States   Los Angeles Lakers ( Did not win title)
2008?09   LeBron James^   Forward    United States   Cleveland Cavaliers ( Did not win title)

[WayOutWest]

You should have made this post a trivia question.

[Reality]

The Media Valuable Player award does go to the true Most Valuable Player at about a 7 years in 20 ratio so, not surprising.

[msc]

Good thread, westkoast.  I was thinking the same thing the other day ... logically since Lebron got eliminated. 

I'm sure 100% of the players polled in the NBA would rather win a Finals MVP than a regular season MVP. 

[westkoast]

If you remove Michael Jordan from the equation it has only happened 3 times in the last 20 years.  All by BIG men none by a guard.  Not that we need to say how GOOD Jordan was by being the only perimeter player to dominate a big mans game.

[Skandery]

If you remove Michael Jordan from the equation it has only happened 3 times in the last 20 years.  All by BIG men none by a guard.  Not that we need to say how GOOD Jordan was by being the only perimeter player to dominate a big mans game.

We also need to note that in his second stint of championships, he played very much a "big man's" game.