How The NBA MVP Award Reflects Team Success And Emerging Leadership

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 1 victory in the conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA announced that Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been voted the regular season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). The award has become somewhat of a symbol for team success and leadership. Although the MVP is an individual honor, it is frequently awarded to a player from a playoff-contending team, if not the league’s top team. MVP performances often result in significant financial rewards. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Gilgeous-Alexander will be eligible to sign a five-year, $380 million extension in the 2026 offseason. Similarly, profitable companies often choose to reward their top sales performers with commissions or bonuses. Success creates opportunities.

Best Team Record Vs. League’s Best Player

Whether in basketball or business, organizations thrive when their most talented members are committed to the overall success of the team. In the NBA, a player’s credibility is often measured by his team’s success, with the highest recognition achieved through advancing in the playoffs and ultimately winning a championship. Gilgeous-Alexander is the latest example of MVP voters rewarding a player from the team with the league’s best record. His Thunder concluded the regular season with 68 victories, tying for the fifth-best record in NBA history. They are just three wins away from reaching the NBA Finals. Upon further analysis, since the first NBA MVP award was established in 1956, approximately 40 out of the 70 MVPs have come from teams that at least tied for the league’s best record, which is 57 percent of the time.

The most popular or best individual player in the NBA has not always received the MVP award. In the 2010-11 season, Derrick Rose became the youngest player in history to win the award, leading the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the NBA. However, the Bulls were ultimately defeated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, a team led by LeBron James. Kobe Bryant had two of his most dominant seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07 but fell short in the voting to Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, both of whom led their teams to better regular season records. David Robinson won the award in 1994-95, yet he was outperformed by rival center Hakeem Olajuwon in the Western Conference Finals that season. Karl Malone received the MVP award in 1996-97, and Charles Barkley won it in 1992-93, but both ultimately lost in the NBA Finals to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. James, Bryant, Olajuwon, and Jordan were regarded by many as the best players in the NBA during the seasons they did not receive the award.

As previously expressed, superstar NBA players have a greater likelihood of winning the award by leading their teams to success during the regular season. Conversely, players who feel they were snubbed in the voting may be motivated to prove the voters made a mistake. Both scenarios should provide NBA superstars with even more incentive to prioritize winning over individual accolades.

Leadership Matters

Winning the MVP award undoubtedly elevates a player’s status as a leader. Until this point, Gilgeous-Alexander has displayed a quiet form of leadership during his NBA career. His personality seems to be more reserved. When asked in the post-game press conference following Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals about his ‘lead by example’ approach, he stated, “I’m not always the loudest guy in the room or say too much, but my energy, effort, and what I put on the floor speaks louder than anything.” He further emphasized, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Other former MVP players have assumed greater leadership responsibilities following their individual achievements. After his first MVP award in 2021, three-time winner Nikola Jokić became more vocal and began to instill confidence in younger teammates. As a result, the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship in 2023. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo took on a greater leadership role after receiving his first MVP award in 2019, guiding the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title just two years later. After winning his first MVP award in 2015, Stephen Curry became the face of the Golden State Warriors franchise and one of the league’s ambassadors. Although he was known for his more reserved demeanor on the court, during the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, Curry received widespread praise for becoming a more vocal leader and mentor for younger players.

Leadership is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Effective leaders come in various forms and possess diverse personalities. Both introverted and extroverted individuals can be effective leaders. It will be interesting to observe whether Gilgeous-Alexander evolves into a more vocal leader like some of his peers.

In general, individual accolades in sports or business must first be earned. While some may become egotistical after receiving individual recognition, others feel appreciated, which motivates them to become the best versions of themselves. In a business setting, the individual efforts, productivity, and impact of exceptional employees are often undervalued. While some employees receive recognition and rewards, others remain unnoticed. This oversight can lead to poor morale and feelings of disenfranchisement. Business leaders should consistently acknowledge their most talented, productive, and good-natured employees. By periodically rewarding these individuals, many may become more loyal and opt to stay with the organization long-term. This support may inspire them to further develop as leaders, thereby increasing their value to their teams.