NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: James Harden, winner of the 2017-2018 MVP award, poses with his mom Monja Willis in the backstage photo room during the 2018 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

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David Robinson (Photo by DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 22. David Robinson

Stats:

21.1 points
10.6 rebounds
3.0 blocks

Accomplishments:

10 time All-Star
10 time All-NBA
8 time All-Defensive team
1 time MVP

It’s easy to forget just how good David Robinson was. He was never considered better than his contemporaries such as Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon but Robinson was terrific. There may have been some players who were better on the offensive end but no one had the combination on both sides of the ball the way Robinson did.

On his off days, it was clear that the long-time San Antonio Spur enjoyed spending his time in the weight room. It looked as though Robinson lost in a sword fight because he was cut everywhere. His physique helped lock up smaller guards on the perimeter and it was practically impossible to back him down in the post. But while he was a two-way force nearly like no other, Robinson’s placement on this list takes a hit due to his inability to make the Spurs true title contenders.

Robinson managed to pocket two titles mostly on the back of Tim Duncan. By the time Robinson called himself a champion, he was virtually a shell of his former self. During his first title run in the 1998-99 season, Robinson averaged 15.6 points and 9.9 rebounds, solid overall numbers. When he grabbed his second and ultimately final ring during the 2002-03 season, he was essentially useless. Robinson averaged 7.8 points and 6.6 rebounds.

While he may have the championship hardware, the point in which he ultimately got them brings his legacy down a few pegs.