Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Kawhi Leonard Is The Only Player In NBA History To Win Multiple Finals MVPs But Never Win An MVP
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Kawhi Leonard Is The Only Player In NBA History To Win Multiple Finals MVPs But Never Win An MVP

Kawhi Leonard Is The Only Player In NBA History To Win Multiple Finals MVPs But Never Win An MVP

Gautam Varier
Aug 29, 2022
3 Min Read
Share

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard established himself as one of the best players in the NBA during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, and despite being hampered by injuries for the last 5 seasons, he remains one of the most feared players in the league. Kawhi initially was just a defensive stopper, but he worked on his offensive game and is now regarded as one of the best two-way players that the league has to offer.

It was his efforts on the defensive end that helped the Spurs win the title in 2014, which netted him his first Finals MVP, and 5 years later, in 2019, he averaged 28.5 points per game for the Raptors against Golden State to win his second Finals MVP. For all this success, however, Kawhi has never won the MVP award, and it turns out he is the only player in the history of the league who hasn’t won an MVP despite winning multiple Finals MVPs.

Players with multiple Finals MVPs and 0 regular season MVPs:

— Kawhi Leonard

What’re the odds that changes this season? pic.twitter.com/M4K73QPAUY

— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 28, 2022

He has never particularly gotten close to winning the award either, with his best being a third-place finish in 2017. He only got 9 first-place votes, though, and Russell Westbrook, who won the award that year, had 69, so it wasn’t really close. Leonard has finished in the top 10 a couple of times to go with this, but again, he was never really in contention.

With the way it’s going, you wouldn’t fancy Kawhi winning the award at any point from here on out, either. He misses too many games in the regular season for whatever reason, as his focus has always been on the playoffs, something that is not going to change as he gets up there in age. He is also returning from a long injury layoff this season but does look to be in great shape, which is a positive.

His return is the main reason why the Clippers are seen as a big threat in the Western Conference, with Tim Bontemps stating that they are clearly the best team in the West if everyone is healthy. The problem is that health has always been a concern, and you don’t get healthier as you age. The Clippers have also, for one reason or another, failed to live up to expectations since Leonard arrived despite having some talented rosters. That is why it is hard to put your complete faith in them just yet, no matter how good the team seems on paper.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Kawhi Leonard
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByGautam Varier
Follow:
Gautam Varier is a staff writer and columnist for Fadeaway World from Mumbai, India. He graduated from Symbiosis International University with a Master of Business specializing in Sports Management in 2020. This educational achievement enables Gautam to apply sophisticated analytical techniques to his incisive coverage of basketball, blending business acumen with sports knowledge.Before joining Fadeaway World in 2022, Gautam honed his journalistic skills at Sportskeeda and SportsKPI, where he covered a range of sports topics with an emphasis on basketball. His passion for the sport was ignited after witnessing the high-octane offense of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Among the Suns, Shawn Marion stood out to Gautam as an all-time underrated NBA player. Marion’s versatility as a defender and his rebounding prowess, despite being just 6’7”, impressed Gautam immensely. He admired Marion’s finishing ability at the rim and his shooting, despite an unconventional jump shot, believing that Marion’s skill set would have been even more appreciated in today’s NBA.This transformative experience not only deepened his love for basketball but also shaped his approach to sports writing, enabling him to connect with readers through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.
Previous Article NBA Insider Explains Why The Miami Heat Could Be Poised To Improve From Last Season: “What About The Potential For Growth From Within…”
Next Article NBA Fans Debate Who Would Win A Series Between The 5 Best Players Of The 2016 NBA Draft Class And The 2018 NBA Draft Class: Luka Doncic, Trae Young, And Deandre Ayton vs. Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, And Ben Simmons
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025
Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025
JJ Redick
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Reveals Major Flaw In JJ Redick’s Coaching

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?