Defense doesn't (usually) win NBA MVPs

We look at how more heavily offensive-oriented NBA players have been winning MVP at a greater rate in recent years and why we think the award has shifted away from more defensive-focused players in the latest episode of the Over and Back Classic NBA Podcast.

Jason Mann is joined by Dar-Wei Chen of 16 Wins A Ring and Orlando Magic Daily to discuss his recent article looking at NBA MVPs and what they contributed in offensive and defensive win shares, how well the numbers we have now can measure defense, how much individual offense can influence a game over individual defense, how past MVPs were a mix of players who were more productive on either side of the ball, and at what point the shift changed to offense-oriented types.

We also dig into the numbers from MVP seasons from Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell, Wes Unseld, Willis Reed, Dave Cowens, Bill Walton, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and LeBron James.

Check out Dar-Wei's article, "Defense Wins Championships, But It Won't Win The MVP: https://16winsaring.com/defense-wins-championships-but-it-wont-win-the-most-valuable-player-award-9ed5a07e17e9#.tgu0vwujz