MVP Reflections: My First Ever, My First in L.A., and My Last

Winning my first MVP in 1971, my second year with the Milwaukee Bucks, was a great honor of course. I liked the fact that it went along with us winning the world championship and having done it while playing with Oscar made me feel great. During that season, I had to play a couple of games against Wilt Chamberlain, who was the standard prior to me for excellence in pivot play. I was able to outplay him – 40.2 PPG in five games including a 50-point game – and that to me was an indication that I had possibly arrived.

Prior to the 1975-76 season I was traded to the Lakers. I was very fortunate to win my fourth MVP award that year, because the team didn't do well. We finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs. But I had such a great year statistically, that's why I won it.

In 1980, when I won my last regular season MVP, that was also the year that a rookie named Magic Johnson burst onto the scene. When we got Earvin we had somebody that could run the team offense. Jack McKinney did a great job of understanding Earvin's unique ability to play the game and to devise an offense that worked for all of the people that we had on the team.

Having won six total regular season MVPs, do I think that another player will achieve that number? It’s always possible, but it’s going to take a dominant player to do it. There have been a lot of great players to not win it.

Thoughts on Kobe’s First MVP:

Kobe has had the ability to score so prolifically that people at times have knocked him. But winning that award helps put everything in perspective and shows that he's been a leader and team player in addition to being so brilliant at what he does.

Fisher’s Return to Utah:

Friday is the one year anniversary to the day of what Derek went through during last year’s playoffs with this daughter’s medical troubles and his emotional return for Game 2 of the Jazz’ Western Conference Semifinal series with the Warriors. I thought Derek made quite a statement both as a professional athlete and as a parent that day. He was able to do both with an outstanding degree of determination and focus. When he returned to Utah this season as a member of the Lakers, I was surprised by the reception he received from the crowd and didn't understand it. Maybe the people up there in Utah have some issues that I'm not aware of.

What Derek Fisher Means to the Lakers:

Derek has meant quality leadership for the Lakers. He runs the offense with a steady hand out there. He keeps the younger players from just flying off the edge emotionally, keeps them steady, and keeps them focused. His excellent play on the court aside, I think he is very valuable to the team just because of his leadership qualities. Derek has made everybody focus on how we need to win instead of getting into useless details. He's enabled the team to recognize the difference between those useless details and what is important to succeed.

My Most Memorable Moment:

For our franchise and for me personally, beating the Celtics in 1985 was a very special moment. I was fortunate enough to be the MVP in that series. That to me had a whole lot of emotional value to it, which some people might not understand. The Lakers were 0-8 against the Celtics in championship play up until that point, but we finally had the better team. By me being a key reason for the Lakers to finally break through was even more special.