How Is the NBA MVP Chosen? And How Do They Decide?

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The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious honors in basketball, recognizing the league’s best performer each season. But how is the winner selected, and what factors influence the decision? Let’s break down the voting process and key criteria.

Who Votes for the NBA MVP?

The NBA MVP is chosen by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from the U.S. and Canada, along with one aggregated fan vote through the NBA’s official website. The fan vote counts as one ballot, making a total of 101 votes.

How Does NBA MVP Voting Work?

Voters rank their top five candidates using a points-based system:

• 1st-place vote = 10 points

• 2nd-place vote = 7 points

• 3rd-place vote = 5 points

• 4th-place vote = 3 points

• 5th-place vote = 1 point

The player with the highest total points wins the award.

What Factors Determine the NBA MVP?

While there’s no strict formula, voters typically consider:

1. Individual Performance

• Stats: Points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and efficiency (e.g., field goal %, PER, win shares).

• Dominance: Standout performances, clutch plays, and consistency.

2. Team Success

• MVP winners usually come from top-tier teams. Since 1982, every MVP has played for a team with at least 50 wins (except Russell Westbrook in 2017, whose Thunder won 47).

3. Narrative & Impact

• Storylines matter. A player carrying an injured team or breaking records (like Nikola Jokić’s advanced stats dominance or Stephen Curry’s unanimous MVP in 2016) can sway voters.

• “Voter fatigue” can also play a role—some stars may lose votes if they’ve won recently.

4. Availability (Games Played)

• Missing too many games hurts a player’s case. Most MVPs play at least 70+ games in an 82-game season, though recent trends (like Joel Embiid’s 2023 win in 66 games) show flexibility if the player is exceptional.

Controversies & Recent Trends

• Advanced Analytics Influence: Stats like Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Win Shares now play a bigger role (e.g., Nikola Jokić’s back-to-back MVPs).

• Positionless Bias: Centers and defensive stars once struggled to win, but now big men like Jokić and Embiid dominate.

• Team Record vs. Stats: Debates arise when a player has elite stats but a lower seed (e.g., Westbrook’s MVP on a 6th-seeded Thunder team).

Final Thoughts

The NBA MVP isn’t just about stats—it’s a mix of performance, team success, and narrative. While the voting system is structured, debates over “most valuable” will always spark discussions among fans and analysts.

Who do you think will win MVP next season? Let us know your predictions! 🏀🔥