OUD Notebook #2: The 2011 NBA MVP Race Revisited

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!