Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest Basketball player of all-time, without question he was the best player of his generation. LeBron James has been challenging that title, and if his recent championship with the Lakers indicates anything is that the debate has reached a fever pitch.
LeBron James currently has four NBA titles as well as four MVP Finals awards, and four regular-season MVP awards. Michael Jordan on the other hand, in every final he has won, Jordan has also won the Finals MVP, six, he has one more regular-season MVP award than LeBron at five.
Both have parallel careers with Jordan having a slight advantage in winning the most championships and having one more MVP regular-season award. In his time Jordan was not only the best basketball player, many considered him to be the most recognizable person in the world. The world literally wanted to Be Like Mike, and he awed everyone who ever went to see him play. Let’s take a look at Michael Jordan’s MVP seasons!
Michael Jordan’s first regular-season MVP award – 1988
In 1988 Jordan played in every game for the Chicago Bulls, leading them to a 50-32 season, their best record in 14 years, he had an impressive 35 points per game that season and was the team leader in steals per game, as well as the player with the most minutes per game.
Michael Jordan wins Regular season and NBA Finals MVP – 1991
In 1991 Jordan got the monkey off his back and claimed his first NBA title with an overall MVP season. Jordan claimed both the regular season and Finals MVP, dominating with two-player of the month awards in March and April. In the finals, Jordan led the stat sheet for his team with 31 points per game, blocks, steals, and assists.
Michael Jordan Regular season and MVP Finals MVP – 1992
One year later, Michael Jordan would come back even stronger winning both awards again, he was the league leader in points per game at 30. In the finals Jordan was dominating, he’d average 36 points per game in the series, and set records for most points in a Finals half and most three-pointers in a half with six.
Michael Jordan MVP Finals MVP – 1993
He may not have won the MVP award during the regular season, but Jordan once again came up big in the finals. He claimed his third MVP Finals award in his third straight championship. Jordan had an astonishing 41 points per game average during the series. The series was marked by the possible retirement of Michael Jordan after the murder of his father.
Michael Jordan Regular Season and NBA Finals MVP – 1996
In a year marked by a lockout, Jordan would begin the next Bulls three-peat with an MVP caliber season. The Bulls dominated the East and Jordan averaged 30 points per game during the season and was named player of the month once in the year. During the finals, Jordan carried the Bulls averaging 27 points and relying on the help of Dennis Rodman on the defensive end.
Michael Jordan NBA Finals MVP – 1997
In the 97 Finals, Jordan was famously affected by flu symptoms prior to Game 5, on little sleep and visibly weakened, Jordan started amassing shot after shot, he would end the game with 38 points and collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms. The Bulls would take the series in Game 6 and Jordan would once again claim the series MVP.
Michael Jordan Regular Season and NBA Finals MVP – 1998
The 1998 season would see the final championship of the Jordan era Bulls, The Last Dance, as it has famously come to be known as, saw a revitalized Jordan lead the league in points per game and win two player of the month awards. In the Finals, the Jazz and the Bulls matched up in a tough 6 game series. Jordan would finish with 33 points per game. In Game 6 the Shot Heard Around the World happened when Jordan hit a 20 footer with 5.2 seconds left giving the Bulls their second three-peat with Mike.
