Personal accolades are bestowed on basketball players who have exhibited extraordinary performance on the court. The goal of any player is winning an NBA championship which is way more important than winning individual awards like the NBA MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Only a few players won NBA champions and other NBA awards during their time. Kareem Abdul Jabbar leads the way with 68 awards playing for 20 seasons in the NBA (1969-1989). In this post, we delved into NBA players who achieved multiple awards, letting you know about their achievements while active on the court.
Has Any NBA Player Won Multiple Awards in One Season?
Has Any NBA Player Won Multiple Awards in One Season?Basketball fans are treated to greatness from amazing plays by some of the exceptional players of all time. Accolades dictate a player’s success and give followers talking points when comparing their heroes.
Has any NBA player won every award? Only a few players boast of multiple awards in a season. Any individual basketball player would love to win the MVP award, but it pales in comparison when hoisting the championship trophy.
Check out this list of basketball superstars who played exceptionally well during a season leading their team to the championship and picking the regular season and finals MVP along the way.
| Player | Season | Team | Award |
| Michael Jordan | 1990-91
1991-92 1995-96 1997-98 |
Chicago Bulls | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| LeBron James | 2011-12
2012-13 |
Miami Heats | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 1994-95 | Houston Rockets | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP Defensive Player of the Year NBA Title |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 1999-00 | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title All-Star MVP Scoring Champion |
| Tim Duncan | 2002-03 | San Antonio Spurs | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Earvin Johnson | 1986-87 | Los Angele Lakers | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Larry Bird | 1983-84
1985-86 |
Boston Celtics | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Moses Malone | 1982-83 | Philadelphia 76ers | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Kareem Abdul Jabbar | 1970-71 | Milwaukee Bucks | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Willis Reed | 1969-70 | New York Knicks | NBA MVP
NBA Finals MVP NBA Title |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 1966-67 | Philadelphia 76ers | NBA MVP
NBA Title |
| Bill Russel | 1958-59
1961-63 1965 |
Boston Celtics | NBA MVP
NBA Title |
Note: The NBA Finals MVP award started in 1970.
Bill Russel, the legendary center of the Boston Celtics, was the best player of his time. Russel gave the Celtics 11 championship trophies, an All-Star from 1958 to 1969, and won five NBA MVP awards. He had an all-time high of 24.7 rebounds per game, an 18.9 average scoring clip, 5.3 assists per game, and was an intimidating factor on defense. Russel was like a bird flying to block shots causing opponents to alter their shots. Russel’s defense rejuvenated the Celtic’s offense. When his long arms snake a defensive rebound, his teammates will streak to their court for a deadly fastbreak. His type of play ushered in a Celtic era that no team in any sport had ever matched.
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Has Anyone Won MVP 3 Times in a Row?
Has Anyone Won MVP 3 Times in a Row?Winning an NBA MVP award is every player’s dream. Going against the best basketeers in the world with their A-game over seven months and carrying the team to the postseason leaves no doubt that nobody can match their basketball skills.
Achieving it once is remarkable but winning it twice or more is enormous. Players raise their level of play every season, and exciting rookies join the fray; you can imagine how difficult it is for anyone to achieve a three-peat NBA MVP. However, impossible means nothing to this small group of extraordinary athletes who have won three MVPs in a row.
It’s been a while since we’ve witnessed a basketball player achieve this feat. Players like Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, and Steph Curry knocked at the door with two-peat NBA MVPs. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets represents the modern era of players itching to etch their mark in basketball history with back-to-back NBA MVPs in seasons 2020-21 and 2021-22.
These are the three ballers who won three straight NBA MVPs.
Bill Russel – 1961 to 1963
Bill Russel, the center of the Boston Celtics, was the first player to win three consecutive NBA MVPs from 1961 to 1963. He had five, and the Celtics hoisted the Championship trophy; in every season, Russel was named NBA MVP.
The points made by shooting stars today mimic the average number of rebounds Russel made in a game at 22.5. The Boston Celtic’s legend is not a scorer with 18.9 ppg, but he intimidates his opponent on defense and is a ball gatherer.
Russel won 11 championship rings in 13 seasons with the Celtics and was a 12-time All-Star.
Wilt Chamberlain – 1966 to 1968
Wilt Chamberlain, a 7’1″ big man, started his basketball career on a peculiar note with the Harlem Globetrotters. He wore the jersey of the Philadelphia Warriors, now the Golden State Warriors, in his first game in the NBA.
Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history with a one-of-its-kind stats of 50.4 ppg and 25.7 rpg in the season 1961-62. He won three straight NBA MVP awards from 1966 to 1968 and a fourth in 1960. Chamberlain set the scoring record in the NBA with 100 points with a win against the New York Knicks (169-147) on March 2, 1962.
The star from Philadelphia was a scoring title holder in seven seasons and a 13-time All-Star.
Larry Bird – 1984 to 1986
Trivia… On February 14, 1986, Larry Bird informed the team and the press that he’d use his left hand against the Portland Trail Blazers. When asked his reasons for using his off-hand, Bird replied:
“I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers.”
Larry Bird was one of the greatest pure shooters in the NBA, winning many accolades, and for his gusto in facing off his arch-nemesis Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bird won three NBA MVP titles in a row from 1984 to 1986, joining Russel and Chamberlain in the elite three-peat NBA MVP club. He brought the Celtics to three final appearances and won two titles for the franchise in 1984 and 1986.
What NBA Player Has the Most Awards?
What NBA Player Has the Most Awards?Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the converted Islam name of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor and is on top of our NBA awards list. He is one of the NBA’s prolific point-makers and imposing defenders. Jabbar’s patented skyhook is unblockable to dominate the opposition. Kareem was the focal point of the Lakers’ fast-paced offense that left teams to bite the dust. Aside from being an offensive threat, Kareem is also a bane on defense.
| Frequency | Accolade |
| 1 | 1969-70 Rookie of the Year |
| 1 | 1969-70 All-Rookie Selection |
| 19 | All-Star selection |
| 15 | All-NBA selection |
| 11 | All-Defensive selection |
| 1 | 1975-76 Total Rebound league leader |
| 2 | League scoring leader |
| 4 | Blocked Shot league leader |
| 5 | NBA Champion |
| 2 | Finals MVP |
| 6 | League MVP |
| 1 | Hall of Famer |
| Total: 68 |
3 NBA Players with the Most Awards in History
3 NBA Players with the Most Awards in HistoryThe NBA has evolved since its inception in 1946; we have witnessed amazing athletes do their thing on the court. Every era has its superstars displaying different types of play. Bill Russel was a demon on defense, Steph Curry beat the living daylights out of his opponents, and JA Morant’s dizzying attacks to the hoop confused the defense.
All these players are called great, they show great skills, athleticism, and play styles earning them accolades what the era has to offer. When looking at the entire picture Kareem leads the pack for the most decorated player followed by these three great players to ever play basketball.
Michael Jordan
| Frequency | Accolades |
| 1 | 1984-85 Rookie of the Year |
| 1 | All-Star Selection |
| 14 | All-Star selection |
| 11 | All-NBA selection |
| 9 | All-Defensive selection |
| 10 | Scoring league leader |
| 1 | 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year |
| 5 | League MVP |
| 6 | NBA Champion |
| 4 | Finals MVP |
| 1 | Hall of Famer |
| Total: 63 |
Lebron James
| Frequency | Accolades |
| 1 | 2003-2004 Rookie of the Year |
| 1 | 1984-85 2003-2004 All-Rookie selection |
| 17 | All-Star selection |
| 17 | All-NBA selection |
| 6 | All-Defensive selection |
| 1 | 2007-2008 Scoring league leader |
| 4 | League MVP |
| 4 | NBA Champion |
| 4 | Finals MVP |
| 1 | Hall of Famer |
| Total: 56 |
Shaquille O’Neal
| Frequency | Accolades |
| 1 | 1992-93 Rookie of the Year |
| 1 | 1992-93 Rookie of the Year |
| 15 | All-Star selection |
| 14 | All-NBA selection |
| 3 | All-Defensive selection |
| 2 | League scoring leader |
| 1 | 1999-00 League MVP |
| 4 | NBA Champion |
| 3 | Finals MVP |
| 1 | Hall of Famer |
| Total: 45 |
Jordan wasn’t built like Shaq or has the height of Kareem but give him the ball, and he’ll find a way to score. Jordan was a scoring machine and a terrific defender. He held ten league-scoring titles and was named a member of the all-defensive selection nine times. His finals record remains unblemished at 6, even with two retirements during his career.
Since the King is still playing, he’ll likely add more accolades to his honors in the NBA. James accomplished great things and was more well-rounded than anyone. He can light up the stat sheets on any night, scoring at will, rebounding, passing, creating plays, and is a Hall of Famer that’s still playing. When the King joined the league at 18, he was recognized as someone who’ll make things happen and the heir to Michael Jordan, which he did. James played for three teams making each team an NBA champion, including Miami Heats-2 trophies, Cleveland Cavaliers-1 trophy, and the Los Angeles Lakers-1 trophy. Cleveland was suffering a 52-year drought until James played for the franchise.
Shaq was an unstoppable force during his playing career due to his heft and power. He dominated on offense, and his 28,596 points are ranked 8th all-time and terror on defense with 2,732 block shots, 8th ranked in that category—however, his weakness is foul shooting. A play was designed by the opposition called ‘Hack a Shaq,’ the goal is to foul Shaq, who is terrible on free throws.
Wrapping Things Up: Has Any NBA Player Won Every Award?
Only a handful of basketball players have been considered winners since they stepped on the court linking their feats in the NBA history records. Throughout history, they have won NBA championships and multiple awards during their stint. Leading the NBA awards list is Kareem Abdul Jabbar, with 68 awards, followed by Michael Jordan (63), LeBron James (56), and Shaquille O’Neal (45), respectively. The fantastic plays of these basketball greats have been deeply imprinted on every fan’s mind.
Did you find this post helpful? If so, check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.
Check out other interesting basketball FAQ below:
> Which Team Won the Most Consecutive NBA Titles?
> Which NBA Players and Teams Have the Most Championship Rings?
> Has a Rookie Ever Won MVP in the NBA?
> Which NBA Teams Have Never Won a Championship?
