Who votes on Finals MVP? Breaking down the voting process and revisiting award winners since 1969

Scott Rafferty

Who votes on Finals MVP? Breaking down the voting process and revisiting award winners since 1969 image

If you're wondering who the best players in NBA history are, Finals MVP isn't a bad place to start.

While the NBA hands out a number of individual awards every season, Finals MVP is reserved for the best of the best. That's not to say there haven't been some unlikely winners over the years, but it's a list that includes legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Who receives the honor of voting on one of the NBA's most prestigious awards? It's actually a simple process.

Who votes on NBA Finals MVP?

The NBA Finals MVP has been awarded each season since it was first introduced in 1969. The award is voted on by a panel of 11 media members, who cast their vote after the last game of the series. The player who earns the most votes wins the award.

Example of NBA Finals MVP voting results

Nikola Jokic won the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, and the decision was unanimous. All 11 voters selected Jokic as their series MVP. That included ESPN talent Mark Jackson, who had curiously left Jokic off his NBA MVP ballot earlier in the offseason.

Here's the breakdown of the results:

  • Sam Amick (The Athletic): Nikola Jokic
  • Malika Andrews (ESPN): Nikola Jokic
  • Doris Burke (ESPN Radio): Nikola Jokic
  • Miguel Candeias (A Bola, Portugal): Nikola Jokic
  • Vincent Goodwill (Yahoo Sports): Nikola Jokic
  • Mark Jackson (ESPN/ABC): Nikola Jokic
  • Shaun Powell (NBA.com): Nikola Jokic
  • Tim Reynolds (Associated Press): Nikola Jokic
  • Mike Singer (Denver Post): Nikola Jokic
  • Ira Winderman (Sun Sentinel): Nikola Jokic
  • Jeff Zillgitt (USA Today): Nikola Jokic
  • Total: Nikola Jokic (11)

Full list of NBA Finals MVP award winners

Michael Jordan was named Finals MVP six times in his career, the most in NBA history. In second place is LeBron James, who has won the award four times — two with the Heat, one with the Cavaliers and one with the Lakers. James is the only player in NBA history who has won the award with three different teams.

Jerry West remains the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP while being on the losing team. James came close in 2015 when he received four votes to Andre Iguodala's seven.

YearPlayerTeam
2023Nikola JokicDenver Nuggets
2022Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors
2021Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks
2020LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
2019Kawhi LeonardToronto Raptors
2018Kevin DurantGolden State Warriors
2017Kevin DurantGolden State Warriors
2016LeBron JamesCleveland Cavaliers
2015Andre IguodalaGolden State Warriors
2014Kawhi LeonardSan Antonio Spurs
2013LeBron JamesMiami Heat
2012LeBron JamesMiami Heat
2011Dirk NowitzkiDallas Mavericks
2010Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers
2009Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers
2008Paul PierceBoston Celtics
2007Tony ParkerSan Antonio Spurs
2006Dwyane WadeMiami Heat
2005Tim DuncanSan Antonio Spurs
2004Chauncey BillupsDetroit Pistons
2003Tim DuncanSan Antonio Spurs
2002Shaquille O'NealLos Angeles Lakers
2001Shaquille O'NealLos Angeles Lakers
2000Shaquille O'NealLos Angeles Lakers
1999Tim DuncanSan Antonio Spurs
1998Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1997Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1996Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1995Hakeem OlajuwonHouston Rockets
1994Hakeem OlajuwonHouston Rockets
1993Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1992Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1991Michael JordanChicago Bulls
1990Isiah ThomasDetroit Pistons
1989Joe DumarsDetroit Pistons
1988James WorthyLos Angeles Lakers
1987Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers
1986Larry BirdBoston Celtics
1985Kareem Abdul-JabbarLos Angeles Lakers
1984Larry BirdBoston Celtics
1983Moses MalonePhiladelphia 76ers
1982Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers
1981Cedric MaxwellBoston Celtics
1980Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers
1979Dennis JohnsonSeattle SuperSonics
1978Wes UnseldWashington Bullets
1977Bill WaltonPortland Trail Blazers
1976Jo Jo WhiteBoston Celtics
1975Rick BarryGolden State Warriors
1974John HavlicekBoston Celtics
1973Willis ReedNew York Knicks
1972Wilt ChamberlainLos Angeles Lakers
1971Kareem Abdul-JabbarMilwaukee Bucks
1970Willis ReedNew York Knicks
1969Jerry WestLos Angeles Lakers

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.