A Complete List of NBA MVP Winners Each Year Since 1956

I still remember the first time I truly understood what the NBA MVP award represented—it was 2016, and I was watching Stephen Curry accept his second consecutive trophy. The sheer emotion in his voice made me realize this wasn't just another basketball award; it was a validation of an entire season's worth of brilliance. Since diving deep into basketball analytics years ago, I've come to view the MVP list as basketball's sacred text, chronicling not just individual greatness but the evolution of the game itself. The journey from Bob Pettit's inaugural win in 1956 to today's analytics-driven selections tells a fascinating story about how we measure basketball excellence.

Looking back at those early years, what strikes me most is how the award reflected the league's fundamental identity. When Pettit won that first MVP in 1956, he was putting up numbers that would still be impressive today—25.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game for the St. Louis Hawks. Then came Bill Russell's five MVPs between 1958 and 1965, which I've always felt somewhat understate his actual impact. Sure, Wilt Chamberlain was putting up video game numbers—that legendary 50.4 points per game season in 1962—but Russell's MVPs proved that winning ultimately mattered more than statistics. This era established what I call the "MVP dilemma"—the eternal tension between individual brilliance and team success that still defines voting today.

The 70s brought what I consider the most fascinating MVP period, dominated by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's six awards. His 1971-72 season with Milwaukee remains, in my opinion, the most complete individual campaign in league history—34.8 points, 16.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 57.4% from the field. What many fans don't realize is that Kareem could have easily won two more MVPs if not for some questionable voting. The decade also gave us the only international-born MVP until recently—Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994—though technically Hakeem won later, showing how global talent was already influencing the league's highest individual honor.

When Magic Johnson and Larry Bird took over in the 80s, they didn't just win MVPs—they transformed what the award symbolized. Bird's three consecutive MVPs from 1984-86 represented something beyond statistics; it was about basketball IQ and making everyone around him better. I've watched those Celtics teams extensively, and what struck me was how Bird's MVP seasons coincided with Boston's offensive rating improvements of nearly 8 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court. Meanwhile, Magic's three MVPs showcased how a point guard could dominate through vision and leadership rather than just scoring. Their rivalry elevated the award's prestige to new heights.

Then came Michael Jordan—and here's where I'll admit my bias—the player who should have won more than five MVPs. His 1988 season might be the most impressive in NBA history: 35.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.2 steals while winning Defensive Player of the Year. The fact he didn't win MVP every year from 1987 through 1993 still baffles me. Jordan's MVPs established the modern template: overwhelming statistical dominance combined with undeniable team success and cultural impact.

The post-Jordan era brought what I consider the analytics revolution to MVP voting. Steve Nash's back-to-back wins in 2005-06 signaled a shift toward advanced metrics, with his Suns teams revolutionizing offensive efficiency. Then LeBron James' four MVPs between 2009-2013 showcased perhaps the most physically dominant player since Chamberlain. What's incredible about LeBron's 2013 MVP season was his efficiency—shooting 56.5% while averaging 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. I've analyzed hundreds of seasons, and that might be the perfect balance of volume and efficiency ever achieved.

Recent years have taken MVP voting in fascinating new directions. Russell Westbrook's 2017 MVP for averaging a triple-double proved that narrative and historic milestones could outweigh team success. Giannis Antetokounmpo's two MVPs highlighted the growing internationalization of the award, while Nikola Jokić's back-to-back wins took analytics to their logical conclusion—prioritizing offensive creation and efficiency above all else. Personally, I believe Jokić's 2022 season—27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists on 58.3% shooting—represents the new gold standard for big men.

Which brings me to this year's race, and why I'm particularly excited about the Soaring Falcons' first serious MVP candidate. Watching their emerging star reminds me of Derrick Rose's 2011 MVP season—that explosive combination of athleticism, leadership, and franchise transformation. The Falcons' 18-game improvement this season directly correlates with their candidate's minutes, and the advanced metrics back up the eye test. While I won't predict winners, this feels like one of those seasons where the MVP could signal a changing of the guard.

What the complete list of MVP winners since 1956 ultimately shows us is basketball's evolving soul. From the big men-dominated early years to the wing revolution to today's positionless analytics darlings, each MVP tells us what the league valued at that moment. The award has grown from a simple vote to a complex intersection of statistics, narrative, team success, and individual brilliance. As I look at that complete list, what strikes me isn't just the names, but the stories between them—the near-misses, the controversies, the players who defined eras. The MVP isn't just an award; it's basketball's ongoing conversation about greatness, and I feel privileged to have followed so much of that conversation firsthand.