NBA "Fantasy": What If the League Awarded an East and West MVP?

Baseball does it: Two Most Valuable Players every year. One prize each for the National and American Leagues.

That's understandable, though.  The leagues are more separate than in any of the four major American team sports.  Until 1997, they did not even meet on the field during the regular season.  With the introduction of interleague play, only 11% of the contests, at most, have NL meeting AL.

On top of that, the leagues have some differences that make it fair to have separate MVPs, like strike zone differences, two additional teams in the National League, and of course the DH and its affect on style of play.  Maybe you can say that the NL has bigger parks, but that's a stretch.

How does basketball compare?

Well, the courts are all the same size, there's an equal number of teams in each conference, and there are no rule differences between conferences to start.  There aren't permanent style differences either; they change with the years.

But, each team does play a majority of its games intra-conference: 63% - 52 of the 82 games.

Based on these facts, it's probably correct that the NBA offers one MVP award for the whole league.

The voting results support this as well.  Often, but not always, it's a blowout.

But, what if, starting with the 1990-91 season, separate MVPs were awarded?  Who else would have won?  Who would have won again?  Would it affect Hall of Fame voting? Which teams would have their first MVPs?

Here's a second shot at individual immortality for some of these players: A roll call of both East and West MVPs since 1990.

Even if you disagree with awarding separate MVPs, this is still a good look at the top player in each conference for the past 20 years.

The titles of each slide have the official winner followed by ("...and") who would have been the other conference's winner.  Included are the results for the top five vote-getters.

Photo:  Two-time East MVP Alonzo Mourning (with Miami teammate Dwayne Wade).

1990-91 MVPs: Michael Jordan (Bulls)...and Magic Johnson (Lakers)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

5 Jun 1991: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers shields the ball from Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during game two of the 1991 NBA finals. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT

Magic Johnson won three MVPs.  This would have been fourth, and final, award.  Following the 1990-91 season, Magic tested positive for HIV and left the game.  He returned for 32 games in 1995-96.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Michael Jordan	Bulls	77	891
2	Magic Johnson	Lakers	10	497
3	David Robinson	Spurs	6	476
4	Charles Barkley	76ers	2	222
5	Karl Malone	Jazz	0	142

1991-92 MVPs: Michael Jordan (Bulls)...and Clyde Drexler (Trailblazers)

Mike Powell/Getty Images

6 OCT 1992: USA BASKETBALL TEAM MEMBERS MICHAEL JORDAN (MIDDLE) SCOTTIE PIPPEN (LEFT) AND CLIDE DREXLER (RIGHT) ACKNOWLEDGE THE CROWD AFTER RECEIVING THEIR GOLD MEDALAS MEMBERS OF THE DREAM TEAM DURING THE 1992 BARCELONA OLYMPICS IN BARCELONA, SPAIN. Man

This would have been Clyde The Glide's only MVP, and Portland's second.  The other?  Bill Walton in 1977-78.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Michael Jordan	Bulls	80	900
2	Clyde Drexler	Trailblazers	12	561
3	David Robinson	Spurs	2	337
4	Karl Malone	Jazz	1	262
5	Patrick Ewing	Knicks	0	100

1992-93 MVPs: Charles Barkley (Suns)...and Michael Jordan (Bulls)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

1992-1993: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (left) and forward Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns walk down the court during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

After eight years in Philadelphia, Barkley was traded to Phoenix for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry.  Sir Charles won his only MVP that first year with the Suns.

Up to this point Michael Jordan had already won three real MVPs (including the last two).  This would've been his fourth.  More to come.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Charles Barkley	Suns	59	835
2	Hakeem Olajuwon	Rockets	22	647
3	Michael Jordan	Bulls	13	565
4	Patrick Ewing	Knicks	4	359
5	Dominique Wilkins	Hawks	0	54

1993-94 MVPs: Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets)...and Scottie Pippen (Bulls)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

3 Jan 1996: Center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets and guard Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls fight for the ball during a game played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel

Scottie Pippen, arguably the best No. 2 player in basketball history, would have been No.1 in 1993-94 with Jordan temporarily retired, taking the East MVP for his first, and only, award.  He never nailed one down in reality.

In 1993-94, Hakeem Olajuwon became the second player to win the MVP for the Houston Rockets.  Moses Malone won it twice for the franchise before him.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Hakeem Olajuwon	Rockets	66	889
2	David Robinson	Spurs	24	730
3	Scottie Pippen	Bulls	7	390
4	Shaquille O'Neal	Magic	3	289
5	Patrick Ewing	Knicks	1	255

1994-95 MVPs: David Robinson (Spurs)...and Shaquille O'Neal (Magic)

Shaquille O'Neal would have been ahead of his time.  He didn't win the MVP for real for another five years.

David Robinson won the first Spurs MVP.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	David Robinson	Spurs	73	901
2	Shaquille O'Neal	Magic	12	605
3	Karl Malone	Jazz	14	532
4	Patrick Ewing	Knicks	2	230
5	Hakeem Olajuwon	Rockets	1	147

1995-96 MVPs: Michael Jordan (Bulls)...and David Robinson (Spurs)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DETROIT - APRIL 06: (L-R) Michael Jordan and David Robinson are announced as members of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Cham

David Robinson would have gone back-to-back.  As it is, the Admiral's only true MVP came the previous season.

There's that other guy again.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Michael Jordan	Bulls	109	1114
2	David Robinson	Spurs	0	574
3	Anfernee Hardaway	Magic	2	360
4	Hakeem Olajuwon	Rockets	1	238
5	Scottie Pippen	Bulls	0	226

1996-97 MVPs: Karl Malone (Jazz)...and Michael Jordan (Bulls)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

I3 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball as he is guarded by Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz during game six of the NBA Final at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-86.. Mandatory Credit

MJ would have had his second additional MVP in 1996-97.

Karl "The Mailman" Malone is the only Utah Jazz cager to win the award.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Karl Malone	Jazz	63	986
2	Michael Jordan	Bulls	52	957
3	Grant Hill	Pistons	0	376
4	Tim Hardaway	Heat	0	238
5	Glen Rice	Hornets (CH)	0	134

1997-98 MVPs: Michael Jordan (Bulls)...and Karl Malone (Jazz)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

7 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls passes the ball to Ron Harper #9 for the easy lay up instead of taking the shot as Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz comes to block him from the shot during the NBA Finals game 3 at the United Center in

Air Jordan won his fifth MVP award.  With the two additional East MVPs, he would have finished with seven.  Kobe who?

Malone would have represented the West again.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Michael Jordan	Bulls	92	1084
2	Karl Malone	Jazz	20	842
3	Gary Payton	Supersonics	3	431
4	Shaquille O'Neal	Lakers	1	311
5	Tim Duncan	Spurs	0	148

1998-99 MVPs: Karl Malone (Jazz)...and Alonzo Mourning (Heat)

Malone continued his domination of the West, taking home a second MVP award in three years.  If he would have won the previous year, that would have been an MVP three-peat.  Larry Bird and Bill Russell are the only players to win the MVP three years in a row (for the Celtics).

Alonzo Mourning would have reined in the Heat's first MVP.  They still don't have a winner yet.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Karl Malone	Jazz	44	827
2	Alonzo Mourning	Heat	36	773
3	Tim Duncan	Spurs	30	740
4	Allen Iverson	76ers	5	319
5	Jason Kidd	Suns	2	159

1999-00 MVPs: Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers)...and Alonzo Mourning (Heat)

Mourning continued his two-year Eastern dominance and would have gone back-to-back.

Shaq wins his one MVP award, grabbing all first-place votes, as a Laker.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Shaquille O'Neal	Lakers	120	1207
2	Kevin Garnett	Timberwolves	0	408
3	Alonzo Mourning	Heat	0	367
4	Karl Malone	Jazz	0	312
5	Tim Duncan	Spurs	0	248

2000-01 MVPs: Allen Iverson (76ers)...and Tim Duncan (Spurs)

Another Georgetown alumnus continued to own the East in 2000-01.  Allen Iverson took home the MVP award for Philadelphia for the first time since Moses Malone, who won his third MVP with the 76ers.

Four players have won the MVP with more than one franchise: Moses Malone (76ers, Rockets), Julius "Dr. J" Erving (ABA NY Nets, 76ers), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks, Lakers) and Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors, 76ers).

In 2000-01 Tim Duncan would have won his first MVP.  He'd have to wait just one more year.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Allen Iverson	76ers	93	1121
2	Tim Duncan	Spurs	18	706
3	Shaquille O'Neal	Lakers	7	578
4	Chris Webber	Kings	5	521
5	Kevin Garnett	Timberwolves	1	151

2001-02 MVPs: Tim Duncan (Spurs)...and Jason Kidd (Nets)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 6: Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets and Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs walks during Game two of the 2003 NBA Finals at SBC Center on June 6, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. The Nets won 87-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Tim Duncan broke through with his first of two MVPs in a row.

Jason Kidd would have carried the East (as he carried the NJ Nets into the finals for the first time in the team's history).

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Tim Duncan	Spurs	57	954
2	Jason Kidd	Nets	45	897
3	Shaquille O'Neal	Lakers	15	696
4	Tracy McGrady	Magic	7	390
5	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	1	98

2002-03 MVPs: Tim Duncan (Spurs)...and Tracy McGrady (Magic)

Tracy McGrady would have made his mark with an MVP of his own for Orlando.  As it stands, the Magic do not yet have an MVP winner.

Tim Duncan went back-to-back for real.

Rank	Player	Tm	First	Pts Won
1	Tim Duncan	SAS	60	962
2	Kevin Garnett	MIN	43	871
3	Kobe Bryant	LAL	8	496
4	Tracy McGrady	ORL	4	427
5	Shaquille O'Neal	LAL	3	126

2003-04 MVPs: Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves)...and Jermaine O'Neal (Pacers)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 18: Jermaine O'Neal #7 of the Eastern Conference blocks a shot by Kevin Garnett #21 of the Western Conference during the 2007 NBA All-Star Game February 18, 2007 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Jermaine O'Neal.  Who would have thought?  He was the best the East had to offer in 2003-04

Before Kevin Garnett was a champion with Boston, he was an MVP for Minnesota.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Kevin Garnett	Timberwolves	120	1219
2	Tim Duncan	Spurs	0	716
3	Jermaine O'Neal	Pacers	2	523
4	Peja Stojakovic	Kings	1	281
5	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	0	212

2004-05 MVPs: Steve Nash (Suns)...and Shaquille O'Neal (Heat)

If the NBA began awarding separate MVPs starting in 1990, Shaquille O'Neal would have been the first player in history to win three MVPs with three different teams: Magic, Lakers and Heat.  At the least, he was the best player in his conference three times.

Steve Nash won his first of back-to-back MVPs in 2004-05.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Steve Nash	Suns	65	1066
2	Shaquille O'Neal	Heat	58	1032
3	Dirk Nowitzki	Mavericks	0	349
4	Tim Duncan	Spurs	1	328
5	Allen Iverson	76ers	2	240

2005-06 MVPs: Steve Nash (Suns)...LeBron James (Cavaliers)

LeBron James scored the most points of his career in 2005-06, but Steve Nash took home the Maurice Podoloff Trophy a second year in a row.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Steve Nash	Suns	57	924
2	LeBron James	Cavaliers	16	688
3	Dirk Nowitzki	Mavericks	14	544
4	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	22	483
5	Chauncey Billups	Pistons	15	430

2006-07 MVPs: Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks)...and LeBron James (Cavaliers)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

DENVER - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars goes up for a shot over Rashard Lewis #7 and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Western Conference All-Stars during the 54th All-Star Game, part of 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend at Pepsi Cente

LeBron James missed another MVP chance in 2006-07 when the West dominated the NBA regular season again.

Dirk Nowitzki won the Mavericks' only MVP.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Dirk Nowitzki	Mavericks	83	1138
2	Steve Nash	Suns	44	1013
3	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	2	521
4	Tim Duncan	Spurs	0	286
5	LeBron James	Cavaliers	0	183

2007-08 MVPs: Kobe Bryant (Lakers)...and Kevin Garnett (Celtics)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his arm on Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 10, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

Despite putting up serious league-leading numbers the previous two seasons, Kobe Bryant finally won his first (and only) MVP in his 12th season.

A re-energized Kevin Garnett would have taken home his second MVP, but he was probably more satisfied with his first ring, and the Celtics first in over 20 years (when Larry Bird still ruled the roost).

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	82	1105
2	Chris Paul	Hornets (NO)	28	889
3	Kevin Garnett	Celtics	15	670
4	LeBron James	Cavaliers	1	438
5	Dwight Howard	Magic	0	60

2008-09 MVPs: LeBron James (Cavaliers)...and Kobe Bryant (Lakers)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BEIJING - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #10, LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #9 of the United States hold up their medals after defeating Spain in the gold medal game during Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnas

King James put an end to the West's seven-year MVP run and took home his and the Cavaliers' first award.

Kobe Bryant had to settle for second best, but best in the West.

Rank	Player	Tm	First	Pts Won
1	LeBron James	CLE	109	1172
2	Kobe Bryant	LAL	2	698
3	Dwyane Wade	MIA	7	680
4	Dwight Howard	ORL	1	328
5	Chris Paul	NOH	2	192

2009-10 MVPs: LeBron James (Cavaliers)...and Kevin Durant (Thunder)

LeBron James is the current MVP, twice over.  Had there been separate MVPs, he would have four already.

Super phenom Kevin Durant led both leagues in field goals, free throws and total points but was way behind James, who won his second landslide in a row.

Rank	Player	Team	First	Pts Won
1	LeBron James	Cavaliers	116	1205
2	Kevin Durant	Thunder	4	609
3	Kobe Bryant	Lakers	0	599
4	Dwight Howard	Magic	3	478
5	Dwyane Wade	Heat	0	119