The MVP’s Who Almost Had It All

Being the named the MVP of the National Basketball Association has its burdens as well as its glories. Being the top dog among the best basketball players in the league, too many expectations are nailed on the honoree. Such expectations include winning an NBA championship.

When it comes to MVP’s that won NBA championships, the list will include Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, and many others. But there are those who won the acclaim of being named the Most Valuable Player but never got themselves to wear a championship ring. Here are the names:

Dirk Nowitzki, 2007 – the shooting big man of Dallas Mavericks have carried the slack of leading the Mavericks when playmaker Steve Nash went to join the Phoenix Suns. Nowitzki and the Mavericks got eliminated at the first round of the 2007 Playoffs to eighth seed Golden State Warriors.

Steve Nash, 2005-2006 – the two-time MVP (the first non-American to receive the award) got the honors when he moved to Phoenix from Dallas and helped transformed the Suns franchise into one of the league’s most formidable team. Under his leadership, the Suns were able to reach the 2005 Western Conference Finals for the first time since the Barkley-era. They were eliminated by, ironically, the Dallas Mavericks. Now that’s poetic justice.

Kevin Garnett, 2004 – Garnett’s arrival to the Timberwolves franchise created a lot of buzz and expectations. After winning the MVP accolade in 2004, hopes for an NBA championship reached fever pitch. Too bad, Garnett’s effort was not complemented by his teammates’ production. Going lone wolf did not bring the Timberwolves out of the Playoffs.

Allen Iverson, 2001 – “The Answer” led the Philadelphia 76ers to the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals and locked horns with Kobe, Shaq, and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA championship. The Sixers were simply overwhelmed.

Karl Malone, 1997, 1999 – After dominating the Western Conference for two straight seasons (1997,1998) and two trips the NBA Finals, “The Mailman” and the Utah Jazz were booted off their chances of winning an NBA Championship by the Michael Jordan-driven Chicago Bulls, twice.

David Robinson, 1995 – The San Antonio Spurs, led by “The Admiral” Robinson, were pretty much one of the league’s formidable powerhouses. But the Houston Rockets, spearheaded by Hakeem Olajuwon, nipped them off their chances to secure a Finals spot.

Charles Barkley, 1993 – Charles Barkley can overpower most forwards and centers despite his small stature during his prime. His sheer force in the paint, coupled with his intensity in rebounds and his knack of intimidating his opponents with his high-flying blocks, were enough to turn the Phoenix Suns into instant championship contenders. But even with his domineering presence, Barkley and the Suns bowed down to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals.