Which player has the most seasons in NBA history as the unanimous best player?

[dankok8]

Like where there is no argument and everyone says "Yea that dude was the best player in the league that year."

I think it's an interesting question because there are few years in history where it's unanimous. Most years you can make an argument for a few players.

[John8204]

Easy answer is George Mikan 47-54 the only year he didn't win a title he was the scoring champ and you wouldn't rank any of the Royals ahead of him.

[Full Court]

Mikan is the right answer. ^

After that, Jordan.

After that......probably Wilt.

[coastalmarker99]

Kareem had 1971 to 1980.

Lebron had 2009 to 2018.

Wilt had 1960 to 1968.



I can see an argument for Russell being better than Wilt in some years.


But Wilt was voted 7 times as NBA first team in the 1960s to Russell's two.


Furthermore had the media voted for the MVP in the 1960s.


Wilt would have won 6 of them in that decade alone


1963-64 NBA MVP Writers Voting; Wilt Chamberlain Places First

Wilt - 253 points
Oscar - 225 points
Russell - 186 points
Pettit - 109 points
West - 108 points

(May 1, 1964)

Unlike the NBA MVP, the Sam Davis Award (an NBA MVP handed out by NY press) was awarded from the beginning of the NBA.

They also got the 1962 MVP right, unlike the official award


Wilt got royally ****ed out of awards due to other players disliking him

I don't like the guy personally said one New York player about Wilt I wouldn't vote for him for anything.

Bill Russell king of the court page 113.

[Nike D'Antoni]

Curry 2016.

Closest

#1 LeBron James 2012-13 (Won 120 of 121 votes)
#2 Shaquille O'Neal 1999-00 (Won 120 of 121 votes)
#3 Kevin Garnett 2003-04 (120 of 123 votes)
#4 Michael Jordan - 1995-96 (Won 109 of 113 votes)
#5 Larry Bird - 1985-86 (73 of 78 votes)

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/nba-history-5-players-who-were-on-the-verge-of-winning-unanimous-mvp

[dankok8]

I'm not asking about unanimous regular season MVP. :facepalm

[Baller789]

Curry 2016.

Closest

#1 LeBron James 2012-13 (Won 120 of 121 votes)
#2 Shaquille O'Neal 1999-00 (Won 120 of 121 votes)
#3 Kevin Garnett 2003-04 (120 of 123 votes)
#4 Michael Jordan - 1995-96 (Won 109 of 113 votes)
#5 Larry Bird - 1985-86 (73 of 78 votes)

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/nba-history-5-players-who-were-on-the-verge-of-winning-unanimous-mvp

:facepalm

[Manny98]

Lebron had 09,10,12,13,14,16,17,18 and 20 - 9 years

Jordan had - 91,92,93,96,97,98 - 6 years

Nobody else has more than 3 years in the 3 point era

[BigShotBob]

MJ Wilt and Kareem had the longest stretches

MJ from 1988 - 1993 and 1996-1998 (8 years)

Wilt from 1962 - 1969 (7 years)

Kareem from 1971 - 1979 (or 1989) (8-9 years)

Then it's everyone else

[ShawkFactory]

MJ Wilt and Kareem had the longest stretches

MJ from 1988 - 1993 and 1996-1998 (8 years)

Wilt from 1962 - 1969 (7 years)

Kareem from 1971 - 1979 (or 1989) (8-9 years)

Then it's everyone else

I don't think MJ was the unanimous BITW until 90 or 91. Some people still probably would have taken Magic before that.

[BigShotBob]

I don't think MJ was the unanimous BITW until 90 or 91. Some people still probably would have taken Magic before that.

There's no world where a player that won DPOY Scoring Title and MVP in the same year isn't the unanimous best player in the world

[iamgine]

Like where there is no argument and everyone says "Yea that dude was the best player in the league that year."

I think it's an interesting question because there are few years in history where it's unanimous. Most years you can make an argument for a few players.

Depend on what's the standard for 'everyone' here?

Literally everyone? Almost everyone? Most people?

[coastalmarker99]

In their 10 years in the league together, Wilt held a 7-2 margin in First-Team All-NBA selections over Russell.


They both won four MVPs in the 1960s but Wilt was robbed of winning two more in 1964 and 1962 which would have given him 6 MVPs in that decade to Russell's three

Wilt won 8 rebounding titles to Russell's two in the 1960's

He won 7 scoring titles to Russell's zero

He led the NBA in FG percentage 7 times during the 1960s to Russell's zero.

He led the NBA in WS 8 times to Russell''s zero.

He led the NBA in assists once to Russell's zero

He led the NBA in Per 8 times to Russell's zero.


Also, finally, we know that Wilt and Russell played H2H in 8 PO series.

But who led in each category:

PTS: 8-0 Wilt

REB: 8-0 Wilt

AST: 6-2 Russell

TS%: 8-0 Wilt

[Axe]

I don't think MJ was the unanimous BITW until 90 or 91. Some people still probably would have taken Magic before that.
Poor casual.

[Micku]

I don't think ppl considered LeBron the best in 16 until after the finals. I don't know if that counts. It depends on what you considered to be your standard.

Because in hindsight, we could say LeBron or some other player was the best. But in the moment, that was a different story and it wasn't unanimous. Even in 09, when LeBron was killing it in the stats and performance, you still have some ppl say Kobe was the best.

Same thing with Wilt, right? Although I have to do more research on it because I forgot some things, they would say it's different from being the best individual than the best team player. That's what they were saying about Magic too in comparison to everyone else, especially to MJ.

[dankok8]

Depend on what's the standard for 'everyone' here?

Literally everyone? Almost everyone? Most people?

For the year 2000 for example, if you say anyone other than Shaq was the best player people would look at you like you're an idiot. I'm looking for those kind of years where one player is clearly the best with basically no argument for others.

[dankok8]

I don't think ppl considered LeBron the best in 16 until after the finals. I don't know if that counts. It depends on what you considered to be your standard.

Because in hindsight, we could say LeBron or some other player was the best. But in the moment, that was a different story and it wasn't unanimous. Even in 09, when LeBron was killing it in the stats and performance, you still have some ppl say Kobe was the best.

Same thing with Wilt, right? Although I have to do more research on it because I forgot some things, they would say it's different from being the best individual than the best team player. That's what they were saying about Magic too in comparison to everyone else, especially to MJ.

If you can make a realistic case for anyone else at the end of the year (season + playoffs) then it's not unanimous.

[John8204]

Kareem from 71-80 is not a thing....he was in the mix for that period of time but three men had all-time seasons during that run. He was maybe the best player of the decade (Jerry West is also in the discussion for his early seasons) but he was never the best player every year.

Bill Walton in 77'
Rick Barry in 75'
Nate "Tiny": Archibald in 73'

[SaltyMeatballs]

The answer is LeBron

https://media.tenor.com/_26z5jgyhDMAAAAM/brian-regan-derp.gif

2008-2018

[ArbitraryWater]

Wilt, Kareem, MJ, LeBron.


LeBron has the most though.

2009-2021 won't be surpassed. 13 damn years.

[Naero]

I don't think ppl considered LeBron the best in 16 until after the finals. I don't know if that counts. It depends on what you considered to be your standard.

Because in hindsight, we could say LeBron or some other player was the best. But in the moment, that was a different story and it wasn't unanimous. Even in 09, when LeBron was killing it in the stats and performance, you still have some ppl say Kobe was the best.

Same thing with Wilt, right? Although I have to do more research on it because I forgot some things, they would say it's different from being the best individual than the best team player. That's what they were saying about Magic too in comparison to everyone else, especially to MJ.

Yeah, it wasn’t unanimous for LeBron back in ‘09 and ‘10. It was the consensus, but it wasn’t undisputed; some pundits were still choosing Kobe (mainly because of his championship success) those years, back when those comparisons were actually a raging debate.

LeBron didn’t win every reputable hoopshead over until 2012, when he finally played like the BITW on the biggest stage. Curry temporarily overtook him in 2016, but you’d get crucified for sticking with him after that year’s Finals. He had eight years of unanimity (2012-18 and 2020), which is probably the most for the modern era.

Jordan was the consensus BITW no later than ‘88, though I don’t think it became unanimous until he won it all in ‘91.

[ShawkFactory]

Poor casual.

What does this mean?

[WhiteKyrie]

Mike had 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98 - 9x
Hakeem had 94, and 95 - 2x
Shaq had 99, 00, 01, 02 - 4x
Kobe had 06, 07, 08 - 3x
LeBron had 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 - 5x

That’s in my lifetime viewing experience, the other years, there was some form of debate somewhere to be had.

[dankok8]

Ok I think in the 60's the only unanimous season is Wilt in 1967. I see zero argument for anyone else that season.

Kareem I think 1971 and that's it. 1972 I've seen people make arguments for Wilt (who played like a Russell role) in 1974 for Cowens/McAdoo, in 1977 for Walton and 1979 onwards for Moses.

In the 80's, I don't think there are any unanimous seasons. Magic and Bird can go either way. Late 80's Jordan enters the debate but it's not unanimous even in 1990 IMO.

In the 90's, I think Jordan was unanimous in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997. I don't think anyone would dare make an argument for anyone else. In 1998 one could make an argument for Malone or Shaq so I wouldn't say it was unanimous.

In the 00's the only unanimous season is 2000 for Shaq. After that it's Kobe/Shaq/Duncan in the mix for a few years then Wade/Lebron/Dirk enter the scene.

Lebron is the last player with unanimous season and he has three of them for me, in 2012, 2013 and 2016. He was the undisputed best player in those seasons.

And then no one since Lebron.

[iamgine]

For the year 2000 for example, if you say anyone other than Shaq was the best player people would look at you like you're an idiot. I'm looking for those kind of years where one player is clearly the best with basically no argument for others.

Even for 2000, there would be some who think Duncan who was defending champ was the best player. And it would be justified. San Antonio swept Lakers the year prior and was beating them pretty badly in the 2000 regular season.

[John8204]

Looking at the seasons...Mikan has 7, Wilt and Jordan have 8, Lebron has 6, Bird has 4(surprised me), Giannis 3 That seems like the top five which was not the result I was expecting.

Pettit, Bill, West, KAJ, Kobe, Shaq, Gervin, Dr. J, and Moses all have 2

[LeGoat4Life]

MJ has been the best for a long time

After MJ it was Shaq. Then it was a mixture of Kobe/Duncan

Lebron was the best for only 2013-2015

Now it's Curry since 2016-

[AlternativeAcc.]

There's no 'unanimous'.. like someone pointed out, the word you're looking for is consensus.

And it's LeBron. 2006 - current day

going on about 17 years.

[ArbitraryWater]

Mike had 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98 - 9x
Hakeem had 94, and 95 - 2x
Shaq had 99, 00, 01, 02 - 4x
Kobe had 06, 07, 08 - 3x
LeBron had 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 - 5x

That’s in my lifetime viewing experience, the other years, there was some form of debate somewhere to be had.

:oldlol:

You literally just assemble years in order to have a clean trajectory.

There are other years far less debatable than '99 for Shaq, '11 for LeBron or any of the Kobe years.

[SouBeachTalents]

:oldlol:

You literally just assemble years in order to have a clean trajectory.

There are other years far less debatable than '99 for Shaq, '11 for LeBron or any of the Kobe years.
I don't think anybody is putting Shaq over Duncan for '99 :lol And acting like Kobe was the "unanimous" best while not winning MVP or even a playoff series in '06 & '07 is definitely not accurate. Ditto LeBron in 2011.

[SouBeachTalents]

There's no 'unanimous'.. like someone pointed out, the word you're looking for is consensus.

And it's LeBron. 2006 - current day

going on about 17 years.
And yes, this is the term he was looking for. The only "unanimous" seasons post Jordan imo were

2000 Shaq
2003 Duncan
2012 & 13 LeBron

[ArbitraryWater]

I don't think anybody is putting Shaq over Duncan for '99 :lol And acting like Kobe was the "unanimous" best while not winning MVP or even a playoff series in '06 & '07 is definitely not accurate. Ditto LeBron in 2011.

talk to me about caping for Katie ****ing Hobbs you absolute soy madman



:milton:milton

[Axe]

MJ has been the best for a long time

After MJ it was Shaq. Then it was a mixture of Kobe/Duncan

Lebron was the best for only 2013-2015

Now it's Curry since 2016-
:roll:

2020 says hi.

[WhiteKyrie]

:oldlol:

You literally just assemble years in order to have a clean trajectory.

There are other years far less debatable than '99 for Shaq, '11 for LeBron or any of the Kobe years.

Not really. I’m basing that on general consensus.

[HoopsNY]

Is this including the playoffs? Or just the regular season?

[Micku]

Yeah, it wasn’t unanimous for LeBron back in ‘09 and ‘10. It was the consensus, but it wasn’t undisputed; some pundits were still choosing Kobe (mainly because of his championship success) those years, back when those comparisons were actually a raging debate.

LeBron didn’t win every reputable hoopshead over until 2012, when he finally played like the BITW on the biggest stage. Curry temporarily overtook him in 2016, but you’d get crucified for sticking with him after that year’s Finals. He had eight years of unanimity (2012-18 and 2020), which is probably the most for the modern era.

Jordan was the consensus BITW no later than ‘88, though I don’t think it became unanimous until he won it all in ‘91.

Yup, I think that too.

Like I don't think MJ was considered to be the undisputed best till 91. Ppl acknowledged him to be the best individual player way before 91, but some ppl would rather have Magic or Bird at that time still because they felt that they made their team better and won. It wasn't until 91 when he won it all that ppl considered MJ is the best, no question or argument.

I feel like LeBron is the same way. As mentioned, even though he was probably the best since 09, considering his performance that year. Although I don't think he was undisputed since some rather have Kobe. And there was a lot of talk about LeBron in the clutch from 2010 through the first half of 2012. They were questioning his heart or whatever. Curry overtook him in 16 in the RS. But after the finals, LeBron took it back.

Shaq was probably the best player in the league since 1998 all the way to 2002 imo, but ppl considered him to be undisputed in 00.

Kareem, I'm not too sure. As dankok8 mentioned, there was mentioned of Walton in 77, Moses in 79 onwards. I think the consensus was that Kareem was the best, but I don't know if it was undisputed. In terms of best in the world, I heard some old heads talking about Dr. J being the best in his ABA years. But it could've been because he was so popular, similar to AI in 01. You had some ppl who would say AI was the best in the league. You still find some ppl to this day rank him as top 10 in NBA history. But I suppose that's aside the point since we are talking about NBA here.

[999Guy]

I don't think ppl considered LeBron the best in 16 until after the finals. I don't know if that counts. It depends on what you considered to be your standard.

Because in hindsight, we could say LeBron or some other player was the best. But in the moment, that was a different story and it wasn't unanimous. Even in 09, when LeBron was killing it in the stats and performance, you still have some ppl say Kobe was the best.

Same thing with Wilt, right? Although I have to do more research on it because I forgot some things, they would say it's different from being the best individual than the best team player. That's what they were saying about Magic too in comparison to everyone else, especially to MJ.

I don’t why Shaq hasn’t been mentioned through page 1. First player to come to mind.

LeBron > Wade > Kobe was some sort of consensus by 2010 on a message board like this, which I would think is a good pulse of casual fan takes on BITW.

LeBron soundly has 2009-2013.

By 2014, people were legitimately convincing themselves Durant was close. I don’t think he was in a true close way, like come playoff time. But it was there. He won MVP for a reason.

2017 was probably LeBron’s last real year of people just knowing, on that retarded emotional level that he was best.

Shaq has at least 3 straight years from 1999-2002. A couple years before and after that stretch he should’ve had consideration.

Jordan has 4 or 5 truly unanimous years. Scattered. 91, 92, 96, 97, all his.
He was good enough from 88-90 but Magic, Bird, and Barkley had peoples minds. Hakeem flat out was better in 93.

70’s were awful so Kareem should damn near most of the decade.


Wilt was not better Russell at the sport and it was noted at the time. Especially early to mid 60’s.

[kawhileonard2]

Kareem had 1971 to 1980.

Lebron had 2009 to 2018.

Wilt had 1960 to 1968.



I can see an argument for Russell being better than Wilt in some years.


But Wilt was voted 7 times as NBA first team in the 1960s to Russell's two.


Furthermore had the media voted for the MVP in the 1960s.


Wilt would have won 6 of them in that decade alone


1963-64 NBA MVP Writers Voting; Wilt Chamberlain Places First

Wilt - 253 points
Oscar - 225 points
Russell - 186 points
Pettit - 109 points
West - 108 points

(May 1, 1964)

Unlike the NBA MVP, the Sam Davis Award (an NBA MVP handed out by NY press) was awarded from the beginning of the NBA.

They also got the 1962 MVP right, unlike the official award


Wilt got royally ****ed out of awards due to other players disliking him

I don't like the guy personally said one New York player about Wilt I wouldn't vote for him for anything.

Bill Russell king of the court page 113.

Kobe was best in 2009 and 2010, Dirk in 2011, Kawhi/Durant in 2014, Kawhi/Durant in 2017 and Durant in 2018.

[1987_Lakers]

This is a very loaded question, but I can try to answer.

Wilt in '67 (Don't agree with some posters naming Wilt undisputed best player for most of the decade)

Kareem from '71-'74, '79 & '80 (Can see some people picking Walton for '77 & '78)

Bird from '84-'86

MJ from '91-'93, '96-'98 (I'm sure there were people who were skeptical of him before he won a ring)

Shaq in '00 & '01

LeBron in '12 & '13 (Kinda the same deal with MJ, best player prior to winning a ring, but people were skeptical)

Edit: Forgot Hakeem in '94, clearly the unanimous best player that year.

I want to put '03 Duncan there too, but Kobe & McGrady had such unbelievable seasons that year & Shaq was still great that I could see him not being unanimous, even though to me he was clearly the best.

[1987_Lakers]

Maybe '83 Moses as well.

[1987_Lakers]

In the 80's, I don't think there are any unanimous seasons. Magic and Bird can go either way.

Even if you want to argue '84 & '85 were not unanimous (even though people considered Bird to be better than Magic in those years, by a good margin), I don't know what is stopping Bird from not being the undisputed best player in '86. He ran away with the MVP, Magic got 0 1st place MVP votes that year & Bird led a historic team to a championship.

Edit: I just looked at the '03 MVP voting and didn't know how close KG came to winning the award over Duncan, I just assumed Duncan won the award by a wide margin.

[Axe]

I think dirk in 07 has a case that year only if his team didn't fukk up against don nelson's dubs in the first round of the postseason.

[ShawkFactory]

Even if you want to argue '84 & '85 were not unanimous (even though people considered Bird to be better than Magic in those years, by a good margin), I don't know what is stopping Bird from not being the undisputed best player in '86. He ran away with the MVP, Magic got 0 1st place MVP votes that year & Bird led a historic team to a championship.

Edit: I just looked at the '03 MVP voting and didn't know how close KG came to winning the award over Duncan, I just assumed Duncan won the award by a wide margin.

The landslide of Duncan being BITW in 2003 came from the title run.

[IllegalD]

Kobe:

2001-2013 (13 seasons)

:kobe:

[LeGoat4Life]

The KoGold Standard

[hold this L]

Lebron had 09,10,12,13,14,16,17,18 and 20 - 9 years

Jordan had - 91,92,93,96,97,98 - 6 years

Nobody else has more than 3 years in the 3 point era

Absolutely not

[coastalmarker99]

Absolutely not

In the First Round of the 2018 Playoffs vs the Pacers LeBron James accounted for 35% of the Cavs total points, rebounds and assists.

Also In the First Round of the 2018 Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, LeBron James won a playoff series without any teammate scoring 20 points in any of the games for the first time in his career.

In Game 7 of the First Round of the 2018 Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to have at least 45 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in a Game 7.

In Game 2 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to have at least 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 14 assists in a Playoff Game. Since then, Luka Doncic has also done it in the 2021 Playoffs.

Most Points in a Game 7 Win in NBA Playoff History:

Sam Jones (1963) - 47 Points

LeBron James (2018) - 45 Points

Most Points on the Road in a Game 7 Win to Advance to the Finals in NBA Playoff History:

T1. LeBron James (2018) - 35 Points

T1. Shaquille O’Neal (2002) - 35 Points

Players to Lead Both Teams Outright in Points, Rebounds, and Assists in a Game 7 in NBA Playoff History:

LeBron James - 2018 Eastern Conference Finals

Jayson Tatum - 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Larry Bird - 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals

In the 2018 Playoffs, LeBron James had:

8 of the 13 highest scoring games

9 of the 25 highest assisting games

8 of the 26 highest rebounding games

Highest Percentage of a Team's Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, and Blocks in a Finals Run:

LeBron James (2018) - 32%
T2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1974) - 30%

T2. LeBron James (2015) - 30%

T4. Shaquille O’Neal (2000) - 29%

T4. LeBron James (2012) - 29%

In the 2018 Playoffs, LeBron James scored or assisted on 55.4 PPG through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, which was the most he has ever had in all of his 10 finals runs.

LeBron James had 612 points in the first 18 games of the 2018 Playoffs, which was 34 PPG. That is tied with Michael Jordan in the 1992 Playoffs for the most PPG entering the Finals since 1970.

Most Points in a Single Playoff Run Entering NBA Finals in NBA Playoff History: 1. LeBron James (2018) - 612 Points

Hakeem Olajuwon (1995) - 594 Points

Michael Jordan (1989) - 591 Points

Michael Jordan (1990) - 587 Points

Kevin Durant (2014) - 563 Points

Most PPG in a Single Playoff Run in NBA Playoff History minimum of 19 games : 1. Michael Jordan (1993) - 35.1 PPG

LeBron James (2018) - 34.9 PPG

Michael Jordan (1992) - 34.5 PPG

Hakeem Olajuwon (1995) - 33.0 PPG

Most Points in a Single Playoff Run in NBA Playoff History :

Michael Jordan (1992) - 759 Points

LeBron James (2018) - 748 Points

Kawhi Leonard (2019) - 732 Points

Hakeem Olajuwon (1995) - 725 Points

Allen Iverson (2001) - 723 Points

Most 40 Point Games in a Single Postseason in NBA Playoff History T1. LeBron James (2018) - 8

T1. Jerry West (1965) - 8

Michael Jordan (1989) - 7

[coastalmarker99]

Absolutely not

In the 2018 playoffs, only 40 times a player contributed to 50 or more points in a game (points/assists).

LeBron had 17 of them while only playing 22 games (including the top 4 spots, 6 of top 10, & 12 in top 20).

[John8204]

This is a very loaded question, but I can try to answer.

Wilt in '67 (Don't agree with some posters naming Wilt undisputed best player for most of the decade)

Kareem from '71-'74, '79 & '80 (Can see some people picking Walton for '77 & '78)


Wilt 60'-63', 66-69', 72'
Oscar 64'
Bill 65'
West 70'
KAJ 71' 74'
Tiny Archibald 73'
Rick Barry 75' 76'
Bill Walton 77' 78'
George Gervin 79'
Julius Erving 80'

I think the league had an ABA bias and kinda screwed over Dr J, Rick Barry, and Iceman definitely got screwed over.

[kawhileonard2]

Lebron had 09,10,12,13,14,16,17,18 and 20 - 9 years

Jordan had - 91,92,93,96,97,98 - 6 years

Nobody else has more than 3 years in the 3 point era

Umm no. Kobe won finals mvp in 2009, 2010 while Lebron lost with HCA. Durant won league mvp in 2014 and won more games over the Spurs than Lebron did. Lebron in 2016 got 0 votes for MVP which shows he wasn't even close to the best. In 2017 and 2018 Durant destroyed him.

[Axe]

Kobe:

2001-2013 (13 seasons)

:kobe:
Yet only had one mvp award during those years.