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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Bill Walton (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking every MVP winner in league history: 32. Bill Walton

Stats:

13.3 points
10.5 rebounds
2.2 blocks

Accomplishments:

1 time MVP
2 time All-Star
2 time All-NBA
2 time NBA champ
1 time Finals MVP

During his prime, no one was a better rebounder, defender, or a more tenacious all-around basketball player than Bill Walton. That said, his Hall of Fame credentials are beyond problematic.

In his lone MVP season, which took place in 1978, he averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a night. When looking at the numbers, Walton’s 8.4 win shares that season is the lowest of any MVP winner in NBA history.

Walton’s prime was incredibly short which would explain why he was only named to two All-Star teams, two All-NBA squads and two All-Defensive team selections. Walton managed to miss a total of four seasons due to persistent foot injuries. Despite it all, he still pocketed two NBA titles, one as the man, winning Finals MVP in 1977 with the Portland Trail Blazers. His next ring came as a seldom-used reserve for the Boston Celtics.

If Walton wasn’t hit with the injury bug so often during his career, he could have had a truly legendary career. Unfortunately for him, his time on the court was cut short and while we appreciate what he did during his extremely short prime, Walton really shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame.