How many players with the first-ranked efficiency in the past 30 years have lost their MVP? Only one person was "robbed" 4 times

The NBA has a very interesting data statistics called efficiency value. The English name is PER, which is an important indicator for judging a player's comprehensive strength and influence on the game. Many times, the player with the highest PER value is the MVP of the season. So, how many players with the first-ranked efficiency value in the past 30 years have lost the MVP? According to statistics, only one person was "robbed" four times. Let's take a look at it in detail below.

The first efficiency value in 1996 was David Robinson, with a PER value of 29.41, but the MVP of that year was given to Jordan. In 1997, Karl Malone had the first efficiency value, with a PER value of 28.9, and the MVP was finally given to Malone. In 1998, O'Neal's first efficiency value was O'Neal, with a PER value of 28.79, but the MVP was given to Jordan, which was also Jordan's fifth MVP and the last MVP trophy in his career.

The first efficiency value in 1999 is O'Neal, and the PER value is 30.55, but the MVP gave Malone, which is Malone's second MVP and the last one. In 2000, O'Neal's efficiency reached 30.65, and his dominance was already very strong. The league finally gave the MVP to O'Pang, which was also the only regular season MVP in O'Pang's career. In fact, he was the most serious person to be "robbed". From 1998 to 2002, he was the first in PER for five consecutive years, but he only won one MVP. In his own words, he has had a bad relationship with the media.

The first PER in 2001 was O'Pang, but the MVP was given to Iverson. The PER value in 2002 is still Ou Pang, but the MVP was given to Duncan. In 2003, McGrady was the first in PER value, which was a bit surprising, but the MVP was given to Duncan. Let me say more about it. McGrady could not have won the MVP at that time. Although the PER value is very high, she was at the bottom of the league in leading the team and could not have won the MVP. Garnett was the first PER value in 2004, and he also successfully won the MVP.

The first PER value in 2005 was Garnett, and the MVP gave Nash. Nowitzki, the highest PER value in 2006, but the MVP was given to Nash, who completed two consecutive MVP dealers. Wade was the first PER value in 2007, but the MVP gave Nowitzki. In the same year, Nowitzki encountered the Black Eight in the first round, and criticism came like a tide. James was the first in PER value in 2008, and the MVP was Kobe, which was also Kobe's only regular season MVP in his career.

In fact, in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, James was the first in the league in PER value for six consecutive years. James also successfully won four of the MVP trophys, namely 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. He was given to Kobe in 2008, and the MVP in 2011 was snatched away by Ross. On the one hand, Ross led the team with a better record at that time. On the other hand, James had just transferred to the Heat. Due to the "decision" incident, his reputation was very poor and he was not welcomed. Durant was the first PER value in 2014, and he also successfully won the MVP. Anthony Davis, the first PER value in 2015, was Anthony Davis, but he was still in the Pelicans at the time, and his record was very poor. It was impossible to get the MVP. The league gave the MVP to Curry. Curry was the first in PER value in 2016, and he also successfully won the MVP. This year, Curry led the team to a record of 73 wins and 9 losses, and he also successfully became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.

Westbrook had the first place in PER value in 2017, and he also successfully won the MVP. Although his record was only sixth in the Western Conference, he averaged triple-double per game and was finally successfully elected. Harden was the first PER value in 2018, and Harden was finally elected as the MVP. Antetokounmpo was the first in PER in 2019 and 2020, and he also successfully won two consecutive MVP dealers. From 2021 to 2025, Jokic was the first in PER value for five consecutive years, but Jokic only won three of them, namely 2021, 2022 and 2024. The MVP in 2023 was awarded to Embiid, and the MVP in 2025 was given to Alexander.

PS: Finally, I would like to say that although the first PER value is highly correlated with MVP, especially in recent years, the correlation is getting higher and higher, but the PER value also has its limitations, such as the measurement of defense is not comprehensive enough and is more beneficial to players with high usage rates. Therefore, the MVP selection cannot be based on PER value alone, but also consider factors such as leading the team record, teammate quality, and defensive contribution.