‘Stealing’ the Honor From Wilt Chamberlain and 6ft 5 Legend, Here’s How 11x Champ Bill Russell Bagged 5 MVP Titles in 1962

The 1961-1962 NBA season was filled with remarkable performances from three basketball legends: Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Bill Russell. Their numbers on the court were nothing short of extraordinary, with Oscar averaging a triple-double with 30 points, Wilt setting the bar for all-time best stats, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds, including his legendary 100-point game. Yet, astonishingly, the MVP title slipped through the hands of both Wilt and Oscar and landed squarely on Bill Russell’s lap.

Let’s dive into the intriguing tale of how Bill managed to bag five MVP titles, overshadowing the rightful recognition of Wilt Chamberlain and the 6ft 5 legend, Oscar Robertson.

MVP snub for Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson’s triple-double prowess and Wilt Chamberlain’s record-breaking numbers during the ’61-’62 season left fans and experts in awe. Both players exhibited basketball prowess that seemed almost otherworldly. However, despite their unmatched performances, they were left empty-handed in the MVP race.

The prestigious award was instead awarded to Bill Russell, whose stats, although impressive, paled in comparison to the astronomical achievements of Wilt and Oscar. Well, Wilt and Russell are no strangers, they do have a storied history together.

An interesting tweet surfaced recently regarding this story. It was clear that the whole concept of the MVP has been controversial for a long time now, but it seems Bill pulled off a perfect ‘steal’ from right under the nose of Wilt.

The core of this surprising MVP decision lies in the ‘best player on the best team’ narrative. Oscar’s Royals and Wilt’s Warriors were slightly above-average teams.

However, Russell’s Celtics stood head and shoulders above the rest, dominating the NBA. The team’s success tilted the MVP scale in Bill’s favor. Furthermore, it overshadowed the superhuman feats of Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.

The enduring controversial MVP selection process

Fast forward 50 years, and the controversial MVP selection process still echoes in the NBA. While the league has evolved in numerous ways, the same old narrative remains a prominent factor in MVP selections.

Read More: $10 Million Worth Wilt Chamberlain’s Generous Philanthropy Only Came to Life After His Death at Age 63

Unless a ‘pity MVP’ situation arises, where individual brilliance shines even amidst a team’s struggles, the MVP title often goes to the star player of the top-performing team. This approach has been a subject of contention. It may overlook players with historic individual performances on teams with slightly lesser records.

The lingering MVP controversy raises questions about the essence of the award itself. Should it be solely based on leading a team to victories? Or should individual brilliance and impact on the game be weighed equally in the decision-making process? As we navigate through the modern NBA, the question of how to truly honor individual brilliance and team success remains an open debate.

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