Once Upon a Dribble — 2011 NBA MVP Revisited

(Notebook episodes are short 15-30 minute solo entries where I give quick hitter context, insight and narrative to various NBA topics)

Was Derrick Rose the right MVP in 2011?

In this episode, we revisit one of the most debated MVP races of the modern era, looking at the full top 10 and the context that shaped the vote.

From Chicago’s resurgence to the backlash against LeBron after “The Decision,” this season was about narrative, team success, fatigue, and timing.

We walk through:

• The biggest storylines of the 2010–11 season

• A brief look at spots 10–6

• Deep dives into Rose, Dwight, LeBron, Kobe, and KD

• And whether history still agrees with the final vote

Let's dive in!

Once Upon a Dribble — What does “heliocentric” actually mean?

(Notebook episodes are short 15-30 minute solo entries where I give quick hitter context, insight and narrative to various NBA topics)

It’s not just ball dominance. It’s not just usage.
And it’s definitely not new.

In this Once Upon a Dribble: Notebook episode, Josh traces how heliocentrism evolved. From Wilt and Kareem, to Magic and Jordan, to LeBron, Harden, Luka, and Jokic... and why the league may actually be refining it, not abandoning it.

(01:37) The Pre-Heliocentric Era - '50s-70s

(07:59) The First True Heliocentric Prototypes - MJ and Magic

(13:15) Modern Heliocentrism = Creation Load - LeBron, Harden, Luka, Jokic

(19:13) The Current State of Heliocentrism

(21:30) 3 Misconceptions about Heliocentric Basketball

Today we finish with part 10 of a 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!

During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s.

This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history? Find out today as Josh tackles the Western Conference in the 2010s!

2010: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns - Kobe Bryant (02:49)

2011: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder - Dirk Nowitzki (09:13)

2012: Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs - Kevin Durant (14:22)

2013: Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs - Tony Parker (20:01)

2014: Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan (25:12)

2015: Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets - Stephen Curry (30:51)

2016: Golden State Warriors vs Oklahoma City Thunder - Stephen Curry (36:34)

2017: Golden State Warriors vs San Antoni Spurs - Stephen Curry (41:54)

2018: Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets - Kevin Durant (48:16)

2019: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers - Stephen Curry (54:16)

2020: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers - LeBron James (01:00:01)

2021: Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns - Chris Paul (01:09:53)

Recap/Outro: (01:16:27)

Thank you all who enjoyed and listened to this series!