RealGM

If FMVP had been awarded in 1964 who would have won, Bill Russell, Sam Jones or Wilt Chamberlain?

In another thread coastalmarker99 said Jones would win and from my modern POV Jones' efficiency makes him a reasonable candidate over either of the big men, but was that how fans/media would have viewed efficiency in the criteria for FMVP? Anyone with insight into the "most valuable" valuations of that era to give would be appreciated.

Russell
11.2 PPG (.412 TS%), 25.2 RPG, 5.0 APG

Jones
21.2 PPG (.604 TS%), 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG

Wilt
29.2 PPG (.509 TS%), 27.6 RPG, 5.0 APG

We actually have quite a lot of video material from that series, which is rarity for mid-1960s. Would you like to see all the footage I collected?

About FMVP, that's tough. It was low scoring, grind down series. Wilt actually played really well given circumstances, but his team lost clearly (similar to 2018 finals with James). Russell was clearly the most important Celtics player with his defense on Wilt and rim protection, but he also had very bad offensive series (Wilt could leave him wide open in halfcourt). Jones offensive performance was really impressive when you take the environment into consideration.

I might go with Jones here, despite him being probably only 3rd most important player in that series.

70sFan wrote:We actually have quite a lot of video material from that series, which is rarity for mid-1960s. Would you like to see all the footage I collected?

I would indeed like to see all the footage you've collected

rand wrote:

70sFan wrote:We actually have quite a lot of video material from that series, which is rarity for mid-1960s. Would you like to see all the footage I collected?

I would indeed like to see all the footage you've collected

Game 2:



Game 3:



Game 4:



Game 5:

Jones - Game 3 which was Russell's best game and Jones worst is less important cause it's the one the Warriors won. Plus there would be some boredom factor with Russell having multiple FMVPs already and Jones loses 63 finals MVP in the last game.