If you think the controversy surrounding the NBA MVP award is new, think again. With each passing season, fans go to war on who should win the award and why, but what many people forget is that this has been a reality for a long time, long before social media gave everyone an opinion.
However, it really came to light towards the end of the 1997 campaign, as Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was allegedly robbed of the honor in favor of Karl Malone, according to many fans and media members. Contrary to what one might expect, MJ never resented The Mailman for taking home the award over him.
Speaking on the subject in an interview before the 1997 Finals against Malone and the Jazz , reporters tried mightily to make it a storyline to fuel the Finals coverage, but Jordan shot down any narratives immediately.
"Because of the opinion of others, they choose to give it to a guy that's been in the league as long and consistent as I was. He's also been on the team that was equally as successful this year. I can't have any jealousy or animosity towards Karl even though I may had a good season, and certainly, from a stats standpoint it wasn't my best season. As long as I am consistently thought of an MVP, I'm happy with that," he said.
A race for the ages
In what turned into one of the more intense MVP races in league history, Jordan and Malone took turns making their case all season long.
The controversy creeps in when you start to dissect the numbers however, as Jordan trumps Malone in both individual stats and overall team wins. MJ led the Bulls to a 69-13, while "The Mailman" steered the Jazz to a 64-win campaign. His Airness averaged just under 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game, while the Louisiana native put up 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four dimes per contest.
It's here that lies the question marks, as on face value, one could make the case that Jordan's contributions to winning and overall numbers are far superior. On the other hand, the Bulls were just coming off a historic 72-win season and didn't quite reach those heights. Voter fatigue was truly setting in for MJ — who had already collected four MVPS before 1997.
Related: "We fought his system, and we didn't believe in it" - Scottie Pippen on why Bulls didn't embrace the triangle offense right away
He was after another type of MVP
When Jordan's name wasn't called to collect the regular season MVP, he likely became fixated on the one MVP award left to win in the season – the Finals MVP. As the Bulls met a familiar foe in the Finals, despite losing out on the regular season honor, Jordan quickly reminded reporters that he was still in play for all the marbles.
"I'm the ultimate competitor. I add that to the challenge that I'm presenting to myself just by being in the finals. There are other challenges outside that. I haven't been in the final that we didn't win, but sure, I have an individual challenge. Yeah, Karl, you won the MVP this year. This is the MVP of the finals. Just like winning a championship, this is leading your team to the ultimate goal," he added.
The truth is that it was foolish to think that Jordan didn't have a backup plan or hidden agenda when he gave his flowers to Malone after taking home the award.
In the back of his mind, he knew what was really at stake, and don't get it twisted, MJ was gunning for another Finals MVP to go along with a championship ring that he ultimately collected in six games
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