Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to etch his name in NBA history as he his eyes on becoming the fourth player in the league to win MVP, championship and scoring title in the same season. He will be looking to achieve NBA history by leading OKC Thunder over Indiana Pacers in their best of seven series which started on Thursday.
Gilgeous-Alexander has had a terrific season as he led the Thunder to their best record in the league of 68-14 and earn a return trip to finals. During his course of the season, he led the league in scoring with an impressive 32.7 points per game as he was rewarded with his first ever MVP title. He will now look to add his name in the elite company of players who have won MVP, championship and scoring title in the same season, which only caters three players from the past.
The three players who have won the MVP, Championship and Scoring title in the same season
1. Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
Michael Jordan has achieved the feat not once but four times in his illustrious career. The first time he did it in 1991, when the led the league scoring with 31.5 points per game and helped the Bulls to a 61-21 record. After being named as the MVP, he led his team to their first NBA title, beating Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers in five games in the NBA Finals.
The next year he defeated Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals in six games as he had an average of 30.1 points per game. In 1996, Jordan led Bulls to a then record of 72-10 in the regular season and earned his fourth MVP award. He was averaging 30.4 points per game as he defeated Seattle SuperSonics in six games of the NBA Finals.
He last achieved his grand trifecta in 1998 as he was averaging 28.7 points per game. He even won his fifth MVP award as he led the Chicago Bulls to victory in the NBA Finals over Utah Jazz in six games.
2. Lew Alcindor (Milwaukee Bucks)
Lew Alcindor, who was later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was the first ever player to win the MVP, Championship and scoring title in the same season. He did it in 1970-71 campaign.
That year he was averaging 31.7 points per game while he led Bucks to a 66-16 record, earning the MVP title. In the Finals, he averaged 27.0 points per game and 18.5 rebounds per game as they defeated Baltimore Bullets in 4-0 in the seven game series.
3. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal was the last player who won the MVP, Championship and scoring title in the same year as he achieved this feat in 2000 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He dominated in the regular season with 29.7 points per game as the Lakers finished the season with 67-15 record. In the Finals, they defeated Indiana Pacers in six games.