The 5 Youngest player to win the NBA Finals MVP

5.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 23 years old, 1971

Back in 1971, when Kareem was still at Lew Alcindor, he teamed up with Oscar Robertson to create the fastest franchise in NBA history, clinching the team’s first less than two years after their inauguration (Also the only one) champion 1969 season. Alcindor later changed his name and his team, and he led the West to the Los Angeles Lakers, eventually becoming the leading scorer in NBA history and winning Finals MVP again in 1985 a 14-year gap still The biggest span between these two awards, although Tim Duncan could match it if he wins the award next year.

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4. Kawhi Leonard,  22 years old, 2014

Betting on Kawhi Leonard could have made a lot of money when the Miami Heat were tied one game after Game 2. In two games, he was a no-brainer, scoring a pair of nines and two rebounds that made him barely visible on the court. It’s hard to say which game is better for Sugar K, even if one game ends in a Spurs win and another ends in a loss. And then, uh, this happened. As sweet as that video is, it still downplays Leonard’s importance to San Antonio.

3. Magic Johnson, 22 years old, 1982

Like Leonard, 1982 was Magic’s second NBA Finals appearance, and the 22-year-old, 9-month-25-day Magic would win the Finals MVP trophy as a member of the Los Angeles team, thus giving him the chance to win the NBA Finals. The league’s third year crowned the Lakers’ 104-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6, Johnson had a triple-double with 13 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds.

Of course, Magic was the face of the Lakers in 1982, and when the season started, Leonard wasn’t far from being the next Sean Elliott.

2. Tim Duncan, 22 years old, 1999

As David Aldridge told The Big Fundamental after the game, Leonard is the youngest player since Tim Duncan won Finals MVP in 1999. Duncan, however, turned 22 less than two months before winning the NBA Finals. So, you know, the advantage Timmy Dunks.

By the way, it’s worth noting that this was the start of the “Tim Duncan Boring” saga, as he was in the low post automatic, after Jordan’s glamorous role as an isolated wing scorer, which was boring, even though Duncan apparently Is the best player to emerge from the NBA since his ethereal. You can see some of the top Duncans below – with some notable differences, although it’s clear why he’s the big base.

1. Magic Johnson, 20 years old, 1980

The biggest difference between Magic Johnson and 22-year-old Kawhi Leonard is that when Kawhi won Finals MVP the first time, Magic won the second. As a result, Johnson is in a unique position to be not only the youngest Finals MVP in NBA history, but also tied for second, although that’s only when you factor in age. In 1980, Magic and Kareem faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers run by Daryl Dawkins and Dr. J. Magic’s MVP candidacy, though, was his stellar Game 6.

Johnson was moved to center after Kareem was ruled out with an ankle injury, making him the only player in an NBA Finals series to start at point guard and center. Of course, he dominated with 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, including a perfect 14-for-14 shooting from the free throw line. Play a spot in the NBA Finals. Magic is awesome.