Best Player Year By Year

[Justin67]

1960-Russell
1961-Russell
1962-Russell
1963-Russell
1964-Russell
1965-Russell
1966-Russell
1967-Wilt
1968-Wilt
1969-Wilt
1970-West/Frazier
1971-Kareem
1972-Kareem
1973-Kareem
1974-Kareem
1975-Barry
1976-Dr. J
1977-Kareem
1978-Kareem
1979-Kareem
1980-Kareem
1981-Bird
1982-Bird
1983-Moses
1984-Bird
1985-Bird/Magic
1986-Bird
1987-Magic
1988-Jordan
1989-Jordan
1990-Jordan
1991-Jordan
1992-Jordan
1993-Jordan
1994-Hakeem
1995-Hakeem
1996-Jordan
1997-Jordan
1998-Jordan/Malone
1999-Duncan
2000-Shaq
2001-Shaq
2002-Shaq
2003-Duncan
2004-Garnett
2005-Garnett/Duncan
2006-Kobe
2007-Duncan
2008-Kobe
2009-LeBron
2010-LeBron
2011-LeBron/Dwight/Dirk/Wade
2012-LeBron
2013-LeBron
2014-LeBron/Durant
2015-Curry/LeBron/Davis/Harden

[RayBan-Sematra]

91 - Jordan
92 - Jordan
93 - Jordan/Hakeem
94 - Hakeem
95 - Hakeem/Shaq
96 - Jordan
97 - Jordan
98 - Shaq
99 - Duncan
00 - Shaq
01 - Shaq
02 - Shaq
03 - Duncan/Shaq
04 - KG/Shaq/Duncan*
05 - KG/Duncan/Nash*
06 - Wade/Kobe/Dirk/Duncan*
07 - Kobe/Duncan/Dirk*
08 - Kobe/CP3
09 - Lebron
10 - Lebron/Wade
11 - Wade/Lebron/Dirk*
12 - Lebron
13- Lebron
14 - Lebron
15 - Curry

*unsure

[hasslinghoff]

http://rpoy.dolem.com/

[Narigo]

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Willis Reed

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Bob McAdoo
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Hakeem Olajuwon
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Shaquille O'Neal
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Shaquille O'Neal

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dirk Nowitzki
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- Stephen Curry

[Justin67]

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Willis Reed

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Bob McAdoo
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Hakeem Olajuwon
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Shaquille O'Neal
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Shaquille O'Neal

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dirk Nowitzki
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- Stephen Curry

Good list of the ranks I wish there were more people like you and carefully down the ranks of these cetrtain players.

[JordansBulls]

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Willis Reed

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Bob McAdoo
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Hakeem Olajuwon
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Shaquille O'Neal
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Shaquille O'Neal

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dirk Nowitzki
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- Stephen Curry

In what way was Hakeem better in 1993 when MJ had better numbers in the season and playoffs and then set the record in the finals. I don't think it is even debateable.

[Justin67]

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Willis Reed

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Bob McAdoo
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Hakeem Olajuwon
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Shaquille O'Neal
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Shaquille O'Neal

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dirk Nowitzki
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- Stephen Curry

As you can see LeBron James has been the most.dominant figure in this era.

[Gregoire]

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Jerry West

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Julius Erving
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Bill Walton
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Michael Jordan
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Hakeem Olajuwon
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Tim Duncan

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dwayne Wade
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- Dirk Nowitzki
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James

[Quotatious]

In what way was Hakeem better in 1993 when MJ had better numbers in the season and playoffs and then set the record in the finals. I don't think it is even debateable.

Hakeem has a huge edge on defense. Difference between an all-time great defensive center and all-time great defensive guard/wing in terms of impact, is pretty big. Quite honestly, I'd probably say that '93 Olajuwon is the best two way season in NBA history (doesn't mean the best overall season - to me that's '91 MJ, because he was a bit more dominant than Dream), but the most balanced, complete two-way player.

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Wilt Chamberlain
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Jerry West

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Julius Erving
1976- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1977- Bill Walton
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Julius Erving
1982- Julius Erving
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Michael Jordan
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Michael Jordan
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Hakeem Olajuwon
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Tim Duncan

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Kevin Garnett
2006- Dwayne Wade
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kobe Bryant
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- Dirk Nowitzki
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James

Very nice list. I'd probably go with Dr. J over Kareem in '76, Hakeem over Jordan in '93 and Shaq over Jordan in '98, but everything else seems okay to me.

[yoyoboy]

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Hakeem Olajuwon
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Hakeem Olajuwon
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Karl Malone
1999- Shaquille O'Neal

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Tim Duncan
2006- Dirk Nowitzki
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Chris Paul
2009- LeBron James

10s
2010- LeBron James
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- LeBron James/Stephen Curry (can't say for sure until Finals are over)

[Quotatious]

1998- Karl Malone

That's interesting. Could you elaborate?

I'm asking because I can see a case for Malone (Jordan, Malone and Shaq are pretty close in '98, IMO). I'd just like to know what was the reason you selected Karl over Mike and Shaq.

[JordansBulls]

In what way was Hakeem better in 1993 when MJ had better numbers in the season and playoffs and then set the record in the finals. I don't think it is even debateable.

Hakeem has a huge edge on defense. Difference between an all-time great defensive center and all-time great defensive guard/wing in terms of impact, is pretty big. Quite honestly, I'd probably say that '93 Olajuwon is the best two way season in NBA history (doesn't mean the best overall season - to me that's '91 MJ, because he was a bit more dominant than Dream), but the most balanced, complete two-way player.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awa ... .html#dpoy

He doesn't have a huge advantage defensively that year, One finished 1st in the Media and the other 1st in the coaches poll. And even if Hakeem was better defensively, MJ was better offensively to a wider degree. He had the best stats in the season and playoffs and put up a final record as well. Don't think it is debateable.

M.Jordan - Finals MVP, Led in Win Shares on the season and WS per 48 minutes, Led in Season PER. Led the league in scoring in the season and playoffs. Led in Win Shares per 48 minutes in the playoffs, Was 1st in Playoff PER, All NBA 1st Team And Defense, Led the league in Scoring and won title the same year. Set Finals PPG average.

Hakeem - Finished 2nd in MVP voting, 2nd in PER and 2nd in WS on the season. ALL NBA 1st Team and 1st team Defense. Finished 4th in WS in the playoffs and 2nd in PER, DPOY

[JordansBulls]

1998- Karl Malone

That's interesting. Could you elaborate?

I'm asking because I can see a case for Malone (Jordan, Malone and Shaq are pretty close in '98, IMO). I'd just like to know what was the reason you selected Karl over Mike and Shaq.

Especially if he said Lebron over Durant in 2014 when Durant had better stats on the season. At least MJ had better stats in the playoffs and won the title over Malone without HCA. With Shaq only playing 60 games I think it is clear he is 3rd that season especially after getting swept on a 60+ win team with the talent they had.

[bballexpert]

1999 Duncan
2000 Shaq
2001 Shaq
2002 Shaq
2003 Duncan
2004 kg
2005 Duncan
2006 Wade
2007 Duncan
2008 Kg
2009 Kobe
2010 Kobe
2011 Dirk
2012 Lebron
2013 Lebron
2014 Lebron
2015 Curry

I just put the years that i watch basketball live the others i go through records and youtube and **** but those years i got to see it at least anyhow. I have a pretty clear way of putting who think is the best each year and it easy thing for me to do anyhow.

[Jetzger]

Without going into too much detail:

2015 - Curry
2014 - Lebron
2013 - Lebron
2012 - Lebron
2011 - Dirk
2010 - Lebron
2009 - Lebron
2008 - Kobe (really close race between him, Garnett, Paul, and Lebron. I went with my gut)
2007 - Duncan
2006 - Dirk (he and Wade are pretty much even, but I think Dirk's season is more complete)
2005 - Garnett (if Duncan had been healthier I'd go with him, but he was just slightly too gimpy come playoff time)
2004 - Garnett
2003 - Duncan
2002 - Duncan (I can't get past the fact that Duncan was clearly better in the regular season and then completely outplayed Shaq in their playoff matchup)
2001 - Shaq
2000 - Shaq
1999 - Duncan (this is the hardest year. Based on their level of play towards the end of the season, I think Duncan upped himself to that level)
1998 - Shaq (I know I know, MJ, but at this point he and the rest of the Bulls are nearly out of gas, and Shaq is just too much of a monster at this point)
1997 - MJ
1996 - MJ
1995 - Robinson (Hakeem won the title in glorious fashion, but I think Robinson on the whole this year was better. Hakeem's defense this year had slipped, and I'm not a fan of using a single series to discredit a player)
1994 - Olajuwon
1993 - MJ (Hakeem and Barkley are right there, but MJ is close enough to his peak seasons to still be better in my eyes)
1992 - MJ
1991 - MJ
1990 - MJ
1989 - MJ
1988 - MJ (I think Bird and Magic at this point might be more impactful as teams get better, but neither of them are completely healthy, and MJ's activity level is fairly insane this season, so I go with him by a hair)
1987 - Magic
1986 - Bird
1985 - Bird
1984 - Bird
1983 - Moses
1982 - Dr. J (Moses' season reminds me of guys like 06 Kobe, 87 MJ, 62 Wilt etc. Hugely impressive, but weak defensively and not automatically more impressive than what other guys were doing. I think this is maybe Erving's best NBA season, and he's making big impact on a good team and meshing well with everyone, which I like to see)
1981 - KAJ (The Celtics won the title, but I think Kareem and Dr. J are still the two best players in the NBA. Kareem is pretty much his 80 self, which is enough for me)
1980 - KAJ
1979 - KAJ
1978 - KAJ (I might've gone Walton if he'd been healthy come postseason time)
1977 - KAJ
1976 - Dr. J
1975 - Barry (weak as hell year, went with my gut again and chose the guy who made big impact on good team route)
1974 - KAJ
1973 - KAJ
1972 - KAJ
1971 - KAJ
1970 - West
1969 - West (West was healthy come postseason time so his missed games in the regular season don't bother me too much. Willis Reed is close, this is the year he should've won the MVP)
1968 - Wilt
1967 - Wilt
1966 - Wilt
1965 - Russell
1964 - Russell/Wilt (This is Wilt's first truly awesome year with good play on both sides of the ball, but it coincides with Russell's best defensive season, where the Celtics won the title in dominant fashion on the back of the nastiest postseason defense ever, so sue me it's a tie)
1963 - Russell
1962 - Russell
1961 - Russell
1960 - Russell

I can't really go back further than that with any confidence.

[JoeMalburg]

Post WWII 1940's
1945 - Bobby McDermott
1946 - Bobby McDermott
1947 - Joe Fulks
1948 - George Mikan
1949 - George Mikan

50's
1950 - George Mikan
1951 - Bob Davies
1952 - George Mikan
1953 - George Mikan
1954 - George Mikan
1955 - Dolph Schayes
1956 - Paul Arizin
1957 - Bill Russell
1958 - Bob Pettit
1959 - Bill Russell

60s
1960- Bill Russell
1961- Bill Russell
1962- Bill Russell
1963- Bill Russell
1964- Bill Russell
1965- Bill Russell
1966- Wilt Chamberlain
1967- Wilt Chamberlain
1968- Wilt Chamberlain
1969- Jerry West

70s
1970- Jerry West
1971- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1972- Wilt Chamberlain
1973- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1974- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1975- Rick Barry
1976- Julius Erving
1977- Bill Walton
1978- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1979- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

80s
1980- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1981- Moses Malone
1982- Moses Malone
1983- Moses Malone
1984- Larry Bird
1985- Larry Bird
1986- Larry Bird
1987- Magic Johnson
1988- Magic Johnson
1989- Michael Jordan

90s
1990- Michael Jordan
1991- Michael Jordan
1992- Michael Jordan
1993- Michael Jordan
1994- Hakeem Olajuwon
1995- Hakeem Olajuwon
1996- Michael Jordan
1997- Michael Jordan
1998- Michael Jordan
1999- Tim Duncan

00s
2000- Shaquille O'Neal
2001- Shaquille O'Neal
2002- Shaquille O'Neal
2003- TIm Duncan
2004- Kevin Garnett
2005- Tim Duncan
2006- Dwyane Wade
2007- Tim Duncan
2008- Kevin Garnett
2009- Kobe Bryant

10s
2010- Kobe Bryant
2011- LeBron James
2012- LeBron James
2013- LeBron James
2014- LeBron James
2015- LeBron James

Names in Bold are definitive best player where I don't believe another player has a good argument.

[Trophy Husband]

Wait a minute, there are people who give kobe on 09 and 10? LMAO...