Throughout the course of NBA History, we have seen our share of definitive NBA MVP Award Winners. Other years, it seems like the race can be fishy. This has been an issue that I have wrestled with for years because even great players have won Awards in seasons that I felt were not quite their best campaign. After reading literature such as Bill Simmons "The Book of Basketball", I have been inspired to do my own reconstruction of history. I may not have a DeLorean like Marty McFly with a Flux Capacitor to travel back in time, but I will use this platform to do just that. For today's case study, I would like to examine the 1962 NBA MVP Award.
1962 NBA MVP: Bill Russell:
Bill Russell's Season Statline: 18.9 ppg, 23.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 45.7% FG, 59.5% FT
Already a two-time MVP winner, Russell peaked this season like many others, averaging an incredible 19-24-5 for a 60-win Boston team as he was the superhuman anchor of a great defensive minded team. Bill was certainly one of the defining players of his generation. On the other hand, this was one of the most competitive MVP races in NBA History and the most competitive of that era.
Here are his rivals from that season:
Wilt Chamberlain: (50.4 ppg, 25.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 50.6% FG, 61.3% FT)
Oscar Robertson: (30.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 11.4 apg, 47.8% FG, 80.3% FT)
Elgin Baylor: (38.3 ppg, 18.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 42.8% FG, 75.4% FT)
Jerry West: (30.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 44.5% FG, 76.9% FT)
Bob Pettit: (31.1 ppg, 18.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 45% FG, 77.1% FT)
Richie Guerin: (29.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 6.9 apg, 44.2% FG, 82% FT)
Bob Cousy: (15.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 7.8 apg, 39.1% FG, 75.4% FT)
That was a very stiff battle, especially among the likes of Wilt, Big O and Elgin with West not too far behind. Wilt's numbers were just unheard of then and are still unheard of now. Oscar averaged an insane triple-double, regarded as the best point guard season in history outside of Magic Johnson. Elgin averaged 38-19-5 while only playing 48 games because of military duty that season. Fellow two-time MVP Bob Pettit still played at a high level and was among the elite scorers with a career-high of 31.1 ppg. His numbers were obviously eclipsed by those ahead of him in the race.
Russell won the honor with 297 votes. Here is the MVP voting breakdown:
Russell: 297 (51-12-6)
Wilt: 152 (9-30-17)
Oscar: 135 (13-13-31)
Elgin: 82 (3-18-13)
West: 60 (6-8-6)
Bill Russell took home the award with 51 first-place votes. Wilt finished second with 30-second place votes, 9 first place votes, leading to 152 overall votes. Oscar finished third with 31 third place votes but received more votes in first than Wilt. I have come to believe that perhaps Chamberlain was not very popular among the voters, as some of them happened to have been players themselves. Robertson finished with 135 votes. Elgin and West would round out the votes with Pettit, Guerin, and Cousy carrying the rear. Russell's season was very dominant and it should never be taken away from him. The stamp that he left on that team is remarkable. However, when it comes to that season, I would like to respectfully object to the voting as I look back on it. Bill had a great system around him, even though he did have a huge hand in making several teammates look better. He also had a Hall of Fame Architect named Red Auerbach as his coach.
Rewrite:
With Bill Russell's already impressive line of MVP Awards, I would like to rename the MVP for that Season. It will be none other than his archrival. A man that was the single most dominant force of that time, both physically and statistically. This MVP should go to none other than the other player that would have a stronghold on that trophy along with Russell. This player would also define the NBA during that Era.
That man is none other than, Wilt Chamberlain:
The Season that Wilt recorded is transcendent, regardless of the era. Statistics like those have never been seen before or since, even from Chamberlain himself. Contrary to what some may say, Chamberlain's supporting cast did not perform as a unit the same way that Russell's did. Nothing against Wilt's teams, but Russell's teammates collectively played like a machine. Chamberlain was the standout story that season. From his 100 point game to averaging 50+ ppg, the things that he did were astounding. Oscar's Triple Double was spectacular in and of itself. If Big O had those numbers without playing against Wilt and Russell, he would easily win the award. However, Wilt stood like a giant shadow over that season. He went above and beyond many of his contemporaries that season. This is in no way to slight his peers. Some may accuse him of being a ball hog (he may have had a tendency to concern himself with stats sometimes), but he brought plenty of value to that team. Chamberlain added value to his team, as they would not have been the same if he was not there. This MVP Race seemed somewhat fishy, but it was given to someone who was equal to Wilt's caliber. In the end, Wilt was the king of that season. No offense to Russell, but I look at Wilt's resume and feel as though that 1962 Season ended without the proper respect. That kind of season should not have gone without the recognition that it greatly deserved. In my book, for the 1961-62 Season, Wilt Chamberlain was the REAL MVP.
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