NBA: 25 players who should have won MVP in retrospect

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson speaks during the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy Player of the Year press conference prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

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Michael Jordan (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /

NBA: 25 players who should have won MVP in retrospect: 13. Michael Jordan 1989-90

Magic Johnson had style on the court and swag off it. With the 1989-90 season winding down, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to another ridiculous season. The Hall of Famer pushed his squad to 63 wins and the number one seed in the league. It was another year in which he dominated individually as well. How does 22.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 11.5 assists sound? Great of course.

Johnson pushed the pace all year long and ran teams out of the gym on a nightly basis. But while he was setting teammates up for easy baskets and throwing no-look passes, Michael Jordan was ripping out the hearts of defenders by putting them on posters. All-around numbers consisting of 33.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.8 steals should have won him the award.

If the stats weren’t enough, Jordan proved he was a winner as well, leading the Bulls to a 55 win season. If it was a case of overall production, Johnson couldn’t compare. However, it appears as though the award ultimately came down to team success. And while Jordan’s Bulls wasn’t too far off in that regard, Johnson and his Showtime Lakers still ran the league, even when Jordan’s time at the top had arrived.