These players have found tremendous success in their NBA careers. They are all current Hall of Famers, or future Hall of Famers and most of them have found success in winning an NBA Championship. But whether it was due to them having teammates better than themselves, or simply having better players in the NBA, these are the top NBA players who never won an MVP award. With the talent that all these players have, the fact that they have never won a NBA MVP award is shocking to say the least.
12. Patrick Ewing
Closest Patrick Ewing has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 4th place (1989, 1993, 1995)
Patrick Ewing’s 1989 (Best season) Per Game averages: 22.7 PPG 9.3 RPG 3.5 BPG 2.4 APG and 1.5 SPG
Patrick Ewing’s 1989 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA Second Team member, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team member.
11. Kevin McHale
Closest Kevin McHale has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 4th place (1987)
Kevin McHale’s 1987 Per Game averages: 26.1 PPG 9.9 RPG 2.6 APG and 2.2 BPG
Kevin McHale’s 1987 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA All-Defensive First Team member.
10. Elvin Hayes
Closest Chuck Hayes has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 3rd place (1975, 1979)
Elvin Hayes’ 1975 (Best season) Per Game averages: 23.0 PPG 12.2 RPG 2.5 APG 2.3 BPG and 1.9 SPG
Elvin Hayes’ 1975 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team member.
9. Jason Kidd
Closest Jason Kidd has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 2nd place (2002)
Jason Kidd’s 2002 Per Game averages: 14.7 PPG 9.9 APG 7.3 RPG and 2.1 SPG
Jason Kidd’s 2002 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA All-Defensive First Team member.
8. Isiah Thomas
Closest Isiah Thomas has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 5th place (1984)
Isiah Thomas’ 1984 Per Game averages: 21.3 PPG 11.1 APG 4.0 RPG and 2.5 SPG
Isiah Thomas’ 1984 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, and All-NBA First Team member.
7. John Stockton
Closest John Stockton has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 7th place (1989)
John Stockton’s 1989 Per Game averages: 17.1 PPG 13.6 APG 3.2 SPG and 3.0 RPG
John Stockton’s 1989 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA Second Team member, NBA All-Defensive Second Team member, NBA assists leader, and NBA steals leader.
6. John Havlicek
Closest John Havlicek has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 4th place (1972)
John Havlicek’s 1972 Per Game averages: 27.5 PPG 8.2 RPG and 7.5 APG
John Havlicek’s 1972 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA All-Defensive First Team member.
5. Scottie Pippen
Closest Scottie Pippen has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 3rd place (1994)
Scottie Pippen’s 1994 Per Game averages: 22.0 PPG 8.7 RPG 5.6 APG and 2.9 SPG
Scottie Pippen’s 1994 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA All-Defensive First Team member.
4. Rick Barry
Closest Rick Barry has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 4th place (1975, 1976)
Rick Barry’s 1975 (Best season) Per Game averages: 30.6 PPG 6.2 APG 5.7 RPG and 2.9 SPG
Rick Barry’s 1975 NBA season achievements: NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, and NBA steals leader.
3. Dwyane Wade
Closest Dwyane Wade has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 3rd place (2009)
Dwyane Wade’s 2009 Per Game averages: 30.2 PPG 7.5 APG 5.0 RPG 2.2 SPG and 1.3 BPG
Dwyane Wade’s 2009 NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team member, All-Defensive Second Team member, and NBA scoring champion.
2. Elgin Baylor
Closest Elgin Baylor has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 2nd place (1961, 1963)
Elgin Baylor’s 1961 (Best season) Per Game averages: 34.8 PPG 19.8 RPG and 5.1 APG
Elgin Baylor’s NBA season achievements: NBA All-Star, and All-NBA First Team member.
1. Jerry West
Closest Jerry West has come to winning an NBA MVP award: 2nd place (1966, 1970, 1971, 1972)
Jerry West’s 1972 (Best season) Per Game averages: 25.8 PPG 9.7 APG and 4.2 RPG
Jerry West’s NBA season achievements: NBA Champion, NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team member, NBA All-Defensive Team member, and NBA assists leader.
