NBA MVP Race: 5 Closest MVP Races Of All Time

#2 Karl Malone and Michael Jordan in 1996-97

Karl Malone Portrait with MVP Trophy

This may well be the most infamous MVP race in the history of American sport, as a fully established Michael Jordan was denied the award in a textbook example of voter fatigue. Of course, Jordan had taken a step back in the 1996-97 season. At 33, he was no longer explosive enough to meet his previous statistical highs, especially in terms of field goal efficiency.

That said, he was still Jordan -- as willful as ever, fresh off a season that saw him crowned as both MVP and a champion, and a class above every other player in the league.

Malone, though, was a credible challenger aided by circumstance. With Jordan being held against his own standard, Malone had one of the best seasons of his career. He was a prolific scorer and rebounder for the 64-win Jazz, and by the numbers very nearly as instrumental for Utah as Jordan was for Chicago.

In the voting, Malone earned 11 more first-place votes than Jordan, and that pushed him over the edge in the final tallies by 29 points.