I still remember the 1990 NBA season like it was yesterday—the physical play, the rising superstars, and that burning question everyone kept asking in sports bars and schoolyards: Who won the 1990 NBA MVP award? That season felt different, charged with an energy that hinted at basketball history in the making. As a lifelong hoops fan who’s followed everything from the NBA to international leagues, I’ve always been fascinated by how one player can elevate an entire season from memorable to legendary.
Magic Johnson ultimately took home the Maurice Podoloff Trophy that year, and honestly, it was well-deserved. The Lakers’ floor general averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game, leading Los Angeles to 63 wins. His leadership was palpable; you could see how he controlled the tempo, made everyone around him better, and delivered in clutch moments. I’ve rewatched those classic games, and Magic’s charisma jumps off the screen even today. But what’s often overlooked is how competitive that MVP race really was. Charles Barkley put up monster numbers in Philadelphia, and Michael Jordan was, well, Michael Jordan—though the Bulls fell just short of the conference finals.
It reminds me of another underrated narrative in basketball—the kind of heartbreaking near-misses that define careers. Take the Crossovers in the Philippine Volleyball League, for example. I followed their 2023 campaign closely, and man, that was tough. The Crossovers were one set away from the PVL Finals when it held a two sets to none lead over eventual title contender Kobe Shinwa. They had victory in their grasp, but momentum shifted, and they couldn’t close it out. In sports, whether it’s volleyball or the NBA, those moments teach you that dominance doesn’t always guarantee glory. It’s a lesson that applies to the 1990 NBA season too—Magic was brilliant, but you have to wonder how different history might look if injuries or a single bounce of the ball had gone another way.
Experts I’ve spoken to over the years often highlight how Magic’s MVP season was a masterclass in versatility. He shot 48% from the field, kept turnovers relatively low for a high-usage player, and anchored a Lakers offense that was simply beautiful to watch. Former coach Pat Riley once said Magic made “every player on the court feel like a star,” and I think that’s spot on. Yet, part of me will always wonder if this was the year that set the stage for Jordan’s eventual takeover—his airness averaged over 33 points per game, after all, and you could feel his reign coming.
So, when fans ask, “Who won the 1990 NBA MVP award?” I tell them it was Magic, but it was also a season that encapsulated transition, rivalry, and what-ifs. Looking back, it’s clear that these stories—from the NBA to leagues like the PVL—aren’t just about trophies. They’re about moments that stick with you, the almosts and what-could-have-beens that make sports so endlessly compelling. And for my money, that’s why we’re still talking about it decades later.