A lot of all-time great NBA players never won an MVP award

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Only one player can win NBA MVP each season, meaning plenty of deserving players come up short of the prestigious award.
Our list of best players to never win it includes Jerry West, Isiah Thomas, Patrick Ewing, Dwyane Wade, and more.

The NBA’s Most Valuable Player award rewards the best player each NBA season.

There can be debates over the interpretation over the award, and historically, there have been some winners that have later been questioned. But by and large, the history of the award reflects the most dominant players over that stretch.

The one problem is there can only be one MVP. Each year, there are plenty of players deserving of MVP, and one player edges them out due to some minor advantage.

We took a look back at some of the most dominant players in league history, who although deserving, never took home MVP. We excluded players currently in their prime who have a shot at winning the award in the coming years.

Jerry West

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Teams: Los Angeles Lakers

Career: 1960-1974, 14 years

Career averages: 27 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 47% FG

All-Star teams: 14

Championships: 1

Hall of Fame: Yes

Highest MVP finish: 2nd (four times)

One thing to know: The man who inspired the NBA logo never won MVP, but was widely regarded as one of the best players and most fierce competitors the game has seen.

John Havlicek

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Teams: Boston Celtics

Career: 1962-1978, 16 seasons

Career averages: 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals

Number of All-Star teams: 13

Championships: 8

Hall of Fame: Yes

Highest MVP finish: 4th (1971-1972)

One thing to know: Playing alongside Bill Russell didn’t allow Havlicek a ton of shine, but he later starred on his own, helping rebuild the Celtics following Russell’s retirement to win another championship. He owns one of the most famous, clutch steals in NBA history.

Elvin Hayes

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Teams: San Diego/Houston Rockets, Washington Bullets

Career: 1968-1984, 16 seasons

Career averages: 21.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 45.2% FG

Number of All-Star teams: 12

Championships: 1

Hall of Fame: Yes

Highest MVP finish: 3rd (twice)

One thing to know: An under-appreciated big man in an era that featured Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Wes Unseld (with whom he later teamed to make three Finals appearances), Hayes averaged over 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game five times — and they didn’t begin recording blocks until his sixth year in the league.

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