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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Karl Malone (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 20. Karl Malone

Stats:

25.0 points
10.1 rebounds
51.6% from the field

Accomplishments:

14 time All-Star
14 time All-NBA
2 time MVP

The trophy case currently sitting in Karl Malone’s residence is currently filled to the brim. He was a 14-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, made numerous All-NBA teams and is on a shortlist of former players who took home multiple league MVP awards.

Ironically enough, while those regular season MVPs are amongst Malone’s most valued possessions, it also caused him the most pain. Michael Jordan was well known for using just about every and anything as motivation. Upon hearing the news of his MVP wins, Jordan was immediately pissed off. In no way did he believe Malone was a bad player. In fact, he had great respect for him. With that said, Jordan believed he should’ve won those awards.

Still, as Malone stopped and posed for pictures to celebrate his wins, Jordan was busy destroying the Utah Jazz on back-to-back occasions in the NBA Finals.

Despite his shortcomings on the biggest stage, Malone was a load to deal with. Even with fellow all-time great big men such as Charles Barkley, Malone’s name was always mentioned above. He had the body of a bodybuilder, which he used to score with ease down low but also a surprisingly soft touch which he used from 15-17 ft away from the basket. When it was all said done, Malone scored 36,928 points, good for second-best all-time.