How many NBA players have won MVP and championship in the same season? Joel Embiid looking to join exclusive list
Get to know about the players in the exclusive list Joel Embiid is aiming to be a part of after becoming an MVP for the very first time.
Follow Us
Joel Embiid (Credits: ABC News)
Joel Embiid has singlehandedly carried the Philadelphia 76ers to comfortable victories throughout the season, eventually leading them to the playoffs. Embiid, who was the runner-up in the MVP leaderboards the past few seasons, finally got his hands on the coveted trophy. In his quest to become the MVP this season, the big man has defeated the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, etc.
This season, Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 10.2 rebounds, making it a career-high for the Cameroonian. While Embiid’s season has been marred with injuries, the player has still managed to have a great impact this post-season. He led the way for the 76ers’ victory against the Brooklyn Nets in Round 1 of the playoffs. The 76ers ended up clean-sweeping the Nets, defeating them 4-0.
Under Embiid’s leadership, the 76ers comfortably managed to secure the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Though, the goal throughout wasn’t the playoffs or just winning the MVP award, but also getting the championship. Embiid now wants to join the exclusive club of only a few players who have won the NBA Championship after winning the MVP in the same season.
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently struggling to compete against the Boston Celtics, having dropped Game 2. The loss was a terrible 34-point blowout loss, but it will not affect Embiid’s ambition. Joel Embiid and the team are still aiming for the NBA Championship. In fact, the big man hopes to join the select group of players who have won both the MVP and the NBA Championship in the same season. Only a few people have made it into that group. Who exactly are they?
NBA Players who won MVP and Championship in the same season
Bob Cousey- Boston Celtics, 1957
Bob Cousy was the first player to achieve the milestone in the 1956-1957 season. He led the Boston Celtics to win 9 NBA championships in 10 seasons. Cousy’s impressive skills were on display in the 1957 Finals, where he averaged 20.7 PPG and 9.1 APG. His regular season stats were a remarkable 20.6 PPG and 7.5 APG.
Wilt Chamberlain- Philadelphia 76ers, 1967
Wilt Chamberlain won the NBA title and season MVP in 1967 with the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 1967 regular season, he averaged an impressive 24.1 PPG and 24.2 RPG. Wilt Chamberlain is considered one of the greatest centers of all time, holding numerous records and accolades.
Willis Reed- New York Knicks, 1970
Willis Reed is a New York Knicks legend who led the team to an NBA championship. Despite not being a big stat producer, his impact was crucial in the 1970 Finals Game 7 victory, thanks to his imposing presence in the paint.
Moses Malone- Philadelphia 76ers, 1983
Moses Malone won both the MVP and NBA Championship in the same year with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 alongside Julius Erving. Their duo proved too much for opponents and Malone’s impressive 25.8 PPG and 18.0 RPG during the 1983 Finals put him among only 14 players to achieve this feat.
Magic Johnson- LA Lakers, 1987
Magic Johnson won the NBA title in his MVP season in 1986-87, leading the Lakers with his impressive skills and leadership qualities. He averaged 23.9 PPG and 12.2 APG during the regular season, and 26.2 PPG and 13.0 APG during the finals, proving he excels in the biggest games.
Hakeem Olajuwon- Houston Rockets, 1994
Hakeem Olajuwon won the MVP award in the 1994 season and led Houston to their first championship. He dominated with 27.3 PPG and 11.9 RPG in the regular season while Jordan was retired. In the Finals, he scored 26.9 PPG and 9.1 RPG, earning Finals MVP honors. He is one of four foreign-born players to win the NBA MVP.
Shaquille O’Neal- LA Lakers, 2000
Shaquille O’Neal’s MVP-winning season in 2000 also led to an NBA championship, as he and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to victory. Despite deserving more MVP Awards, Shaq’s lone win in a championship year speaks to his greatness.
Tim Duncan- San Antonio Spurs, 2003
Tim Duncan won back-to-back MVPs in 2002 and 2003 and helped the Spurs win the NBA title in 2003. He dominated the power forward position with his exceptional fundamentals and had his most productive season in 2003, averaging 23.3 PPG and 12.9 RPG to win the MVP Award.
Stephen Curry- Golden State Warriors, 2015
In 2015, Stephen Curry won both the MVP and NBA Championship in the same season with the Golden State Warriors. The season was defined by Curry’s incredible performance, where he averaged 23.8 PPG and showcased his exceptional shooting and ball-handling skills.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar- Milwaukee Bucks, LA Lakers (1971,1980)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s two MVP awards coincided with NBA titles in 1971 and 1980, and his scoring and rim protection made him a valuable franchise player for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Larry Bird- Boston Celtics(1984,1986)
Larry Bird was a top-two small forward and won both the MVP and NBA title in the same season twice. He won three straight MVP Awards in the 1980s and led his team to an NBA title in two of them. Bird was a dominant force and is one of the greatest Celtics of all time.
LeBron James- Miami Heat (2012, 2013)
LeBron James is known for carrying his team through regular seasons, being a contender for the MVP award in various seasons. James won two MVP awards and NBA titles while playing with the Miami Heat alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Bill Russell- Boston Celtics (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965)
Bill Russell is one of the best winners in basketball history, having won both the MVP and NBA championship four times. He won a total of 11 championships and five MVP awards, showcasing his defensive prowess as the leader of the Boston Celtics dynasty.
Michael Jordan- Chicago Bulls (1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998)
Michael Jordan won MVP and NBA Championship in the same season 4 times, a feat that only Bill Russell has matched. Jordan’s dominance during his time with the Bulls was unparalleled, and he solidified his status as the greatest player ever by winning all four championships in his MVP seasons.
It’ll be interesting to see if Embiid can match this feat and cement his name in the history of the NBA. Game 3 against the Boston Celtics goes down on Saturday!
In Case You Missed:
Stay Updated!
Harshit Singh
(434 Articles Published)