How NBA MVP Voting Works: The Complete Breakdown and Process Explained
As someone who has followed basketball for over two decades, both as a fan and a sports analyst, I’ve always been fascinated by how individual awards shape the narrative of a season. The NBA MVP award, in particular, stands out not just because it honors the league’s most outstanding player, but because the voting process itself is a complex, layered system that often sparks as much debate as the on-court performances. Let me walk you through how it all works, from the selection of voters to the final tally—and why, sometimes, the results can feel as unpredictable as a buzzer-beater.
First off, it’s important to understand who gets a say in this. The NBA MVP is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the United States and Canada, with around 100 individuals typically casting votes each season. I’ve had the chance to speak with a few of these voters over the years, and one thing that stands out is how seriously they take their role. Each voter submits a ballot ranking their top five choices, with a point system that awards 10 points for a first-place vote, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. It might sound straightforward, but the nuances run deep. For instance, biases can creep in—some voters lean toward players on winning teams, while others prioritize raw stats like a player averaging 30 points or 10 assists per game. I’ve always felt this system, while not perfect, does a decent job of balancing individual brilliance with team success, but it’s far from foolproof.
Now, let’s talk about the criteria voters use, because this is where things get really interesting. There’s no official checklist, but over time, a few key factors have emerged: individual statistics, team performance, and what I like to call the "narrative factor." Take, for example, a scenario reminiscent of the reference material about a mentor’s capability despite a team’s rocky start. In the NBA, we often see players on struggling teams get overlooked, even if they’re putting up historic numbers. But sometimes, a voter’s long-term trust in a player—much like how a captain never doubts their mentor—can sway opinions. I remember in the 2016-17 season, Russell Westbrook won MVP after averaging a triple-double for the first time in decades, despite his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing with just 47 wins. That year, his narrative of relentless determination overpowered the usual emphasis on top seeds, and it’s a prime example of how context matters. In my view, this human element is what makes the voting so compelling; it’s not just about cold, hard data, but about stories that capture the season’s essence.
Diving deeper into the process, the timing of votes is another critical piece. Ballots are submitted near the end of the regular season, usually with about a week left, which means voters have to weigh an entire year’s body of work while also considering late-season surges or slumps. This can lead to some last-minute shifts—imagine a player dropping 50 points in the final game to push their team into the playoffs, suddenly making them a dark horse candidate. From my experience covering the league, I’ve noticed that these late pushes often resonate more with voters than consistent excellence over 82 games, which might not be entirely fair, but it’s part of the drama. For instance, in 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo secured his second MVP with the Milwaukee Bucks finishing with a league-best 56-17 record in a shortened season, but I’d argue that his dominance from start to finish made it a relatively easy call, unlike years where the race is tighter.
Of course, controversies are inevitable, and that’s where the process shows its flaws. One common criticism is the lack of transparency in voter identities until after the results are announced, which can lead to accusations of regional bias or personal grudges. I’ve seen cases where East Coast voters might favor players from their area, or where a standout performance in a small market gets overlooked. Take the 2021 race between Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid; Jokić won with 91 first-place votes to Embiid’s 62, but many fans argued that Embiid’s defensive impact was undervalued. Personally, I lean toward Jokić in that debate because of his unparalleled playmaking for a center, but I can’t deny that the system could benefit from more diverse voter representation, perhaps including former players or coaches to add depth.
Wrapping this up, the NBA MVP voting process is a blend of analytics, intuition, and storytelling that reflects the beauty and complexity of the sport itself. It’s not just about who had the best stats or led their team to the most wins—it’s about how a player captures the imagination of those who watch the game closely. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate this human touch, even with its imperfections, because it keeps the award from becoming a mere numbers game. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, understanding this process adds another layer to enjoying the season, and in the end, that’s what makes basketball so endlessly fascinating.
