By Sports Analysis Desk | June 2025
How the NBA Finals MVP is Chosen: Voting Rules and Decision-Makers
The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in professional basketball. It is presented annually to the player deemed to have the most impact during the NBA Finals series. But who decides the winner? How is the process conducted? Here’s a complete breakdown of the voting system, the panel, and the criteria used to select the NBA Finals MVP.
What Is the NBA Finals MVP Award?
The NBA Finals MVP, officially known as the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, has been awarded since 1969. It recognizes the player who performs at the highest level throughout the NBA Finals, regardless of position or previous accolades. While the award often goes to a player on the winning team, there has been one exception—Jerry West won the inaugural award in 1969 despite his team, the Lakers, losing the series.
Who Votes for NBA Finals MVP?
The NBA Finals MVP is selected by a panel of media members who cover the series in person. Typically, this group includes 11 voting members, though the exact number can vary slightly depending on the year.
Composition of the Voting Panel:
- National sportswriters and broadcasters
- Local beat reporters from participating NBA teams
- Commentators or analysts from major sports networks (e.g., ESPN, TNT, ABC)
- Occasionally, international media members or notable former players may be included.
These individuals are chosen by the NBA’s media relations department based on their credibility, experience, and Finals coverage access.
The Voting Process: Step-by-Step
- Game-by-Game Analysis: Throughout the Finals series (which is best-of-seven), the voting panel observes player performance closely, taking into account consistency, clutch play, leadership, efficiency, and overall impact on both ends of the court.
- Final Game Submission: Votes are submitted at the conclusion of Game 4, 5, 6, or 7—whichever game clinches the series. Panelists must send in their votes immediately after the game ends, ensuring that reactions are based on the complete body of work throughout the Finals.
- Voting Format: Each voter submits one name—there is no ranked ballot or point-based system. It’s a single vote per panelist for the player they believe was the most valuable in the Finals.
- Tallying the Votes: The NBA tallies the votes behind the scenes and announces the winner during the postgame championship ceremony. A player must receive a plurality (the most votes) to win.
Can a Losing Team’s Player Win MVP?
While rare, the rules do not prohibit a player from the losing team from winning Finals MVP. The only time it occurred was in 1969, when Jerry West averaged 37.9 points and nearly 8 assists per game for the Lakers in a losing effort against the Celtics.
In modern practice, however, MVP votes overwhelmingly go to players from the winning team, as their performance is seen as directly tied to their team’s ultimate success.
What Criteria Do Voters Use?
There are no formal criteria published by the NBA, but voters typically evaluate based on:
- Offensive impact (points, assists, shooting efficiency)
- Defensive contributions (rebounds, steals, blocks, defensive leadership)
- Clutch performances (fourth-quarter impact, game-winning plays)
- Consistency throughout the series
- Leadership and intangibles (on-court energy, team motivation)
A player who delivers dominant performances and directly influences the outcome of key games is often favored, even over those with better cumulative stats.
Transparency and Controversies
While the panel size is relatively small, the NBA does not always release the full vote breakdown publicly. However, in some years, voting results are shared via press releases or postgame interviews, especially if the race is close or if multiple players had standout performances.
Controversies have occurred, most notably when Andre Iguodala won in 2015 for his defense on LeBron James, despite LeBron averaging nearly a triple-double. Some critics believed James deserved the award, even though the Cavaliers lost the series.
Can Fans Vote for NBA Finals MVP?
Unlike the NBA All-Star Game MVP or All-NBA selections, fans do not have a vote in the Finals MVP process. The award is considered a serious, performance-based honor and remains in the hands of professional analysts and journalists.
Conclusion: A Unique and Prestigious Honor
The NBA Finals MVP stands apart as a symbol of peak performance under the brightest lights. While a small panel determines the outcome, the award reflects the collective judgment of those closest to the action—media professionals who’ve observed every detail from courtside.
For players, winning the Finals MVP isn’t just a career highlight—it’s a legacy-defining moment that cements their place in basketball history. Whether it’s a superstar like LeBron James or a surprising contributor like Iguodala, each MVP winner represents the highest standard of excellence on the NBA’s biggest stage.
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