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As a longtime basketball analyst who has followed the NBA MVP voting process for over a decade, I've always found it fascinating how this prestigious award combines statistical excellence with narrative appeal. The recent discussion around University of Santo Tomas' volleyball program actually reminds me of how MVP voting often defies simple win-loss records - much like how the Golden Tigresses' captain maintained faith in her mentor despite their three losses in eight games this season, compared to last year's perfect 8-0 start that took them to the finals. This parallel shows that context matters tremendously in award voting, whether we're talking collegiate sports or the highest level of professional basketball.

The NBA MVP selection process involves a carefully structured voting system that combines statistical analysis with subjective evaluation. A panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the United States and Canada cast their votes immediately after the regular season concludes, typically in mid-April. Each voter submits a ballot ranking their top five choices, with a point system that allocates 10 points for first place, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. What many fans don't realize is that voters receive detailed statistical packages and have access to advanced metrics that go far beyond basic box score numbers. We're talking about player efficiency rating, win shares, value over replacement player, and countless other advanced statistics that help contextualize a player's contribution.

I've noticed over the years that narrative plays a huge role - sometimes too big of a role if you ask me. Voters tend to favor players who have compelling stories beyond just their statistical production. A player carrying a team that overperforms expectations often gets more consideration than someone putting up similar numbers on a stacked roster. Remember Derrick Rose in 2011? He became the youngest MVP in league history at 22 because he embodied that narrative of a rising star transforming his franchise. The voting wasn't even particularly close that year, with Rose receiving 113 out of 120 possible first-place votes. That dominant showing reflects how voters can collectively gravitate toward a singular story that captures the season's essence.

The timing of voting creates an interesting dynamic that I've always found both practical and problematic. Since ballots are due right after the regular season, playoff performances have zero impact on the decision. This makes sense theoretically - it's a regular season award after all - but in practice, it sometimes leads to awkward situations where the MVP underperforms in the postseason. The recent example of Nikola Jokić winning back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022 demonstrates how voter preferences can evolve. His first victory came with 91 first-place votes, while his second saw that number drop to 65 despite arguably having a better statistical season, showing how voter fatigue can influence outcomes.

Media market size used to be a significant factor in MVP voting, but that's changed dramatically in the digital age. With League Pass and advanced statistics readily available, voters from smaller markets have the same access to information as those in major media hubs. Still, I can't help but feel that players in larger markets sometimes get an unconscious boost in close races. The 2017 race between Russell Westbrook and James Harden perfectly illustrates how different voting priorities can split opinions. Westbrook's historic triple-double season ultimately prevailed with 69 first-place votes compared to Harden's 22, demonstrating how record-breaking achievements can trump team success in voters' minds.

International voters have become increasingly influential in recent years, bringing diverse perspectives that sometimes challenge conventional American basketball wisdom. We saw this with Giannis Antetokounmpo's MVP campaigns, where his unique skill set resonated strongly across different voting blocs. His 2019 victory was particularly dominant, capturing 78 first-place votes in a season where he improved his team's win total by 16 games from the previous year. That kind of tangible team improvement always resonates with voters, much like how the Golden Tigresses' captain in our reference story recognized her mentor's capability beyond immediate results.

What fascinates me most about the process is how it balances individual excellence with team success. There's an unwritten rule that MVP candidates typically come from teams that win at least 50 games or secure a top-three seed in their conference. Since 1985, only two players have won the award from teams below the third seed - Moses Malone in 1982 and Russell Westbrook in 2017. Westbrook's case was particularly exceptional because he averaged a triple-double for the entire season, something that hadn't been done since Oscar Robertson in 1962. That historical context matters tremendously when voters evaluate candidates.

The evolution of advanced statistics has dramatically changed how voters approach their ballots. When I started covering the NBA, traditional stats like points, rebounds, and assists dominated the conversation. Today, metrics like player efficiency rating, real plus-minus, and win shares provide more nuanced evaluations. The 2020 voting reflected this shift, with Giannis Antetokounmpo winning largely on the strength of historically dominant advanced metrics, including the highest player efficiency rating in league history at 31.86. Still, I believe some voters overcorrect by relying too heavily on these new metrics without fully understanding their limitations.

Looking ahead, I suspect we'll see continued refinement of the voting process. The NBA has already expanded the ballot from three to five players and increased the voting pool to include international media members. Personally, I'd like to see more transparency in the voting results, perhaps with voters explaining their choices publicly. The current system works reasonably well, but it's not perfect - we still see significant variations in how different regions and media outlets evaluate candidates. What remains constant is that the MVP award captures not just statistical dominance but the story of each NBA season, much like how true believers in sports maintain faith in their teams and mentors through both triumphs and challenges.