Jordan named NBA MVP - UPI Archives

NEW YORK, May 20 -- Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan capped an outstanding comeback season Monday when he won his fourth Maurice Podoloff Trophy, being named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 1995- 96 season. Jordan, who returned to basketball late last season after a 1 -year absence, received 1,114 points -- including 109 of 113 first place votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

The 10-time All-Star received 96.5 percent of the first place votes, the highest percentage ever since media voting began after the 1980-81 season. 'A few years ago I would never have dreamed of being in this position agin,' Jordan said. 'This has been a dream-like year. But we still have some team goals to achieve.' San Antonio center David Robinson finished a distant second with 574 points and Orlando point guard Anfernee Hardaway was third with 360 points. The 113-member panel consists of 26 national media members and three media members who cover the NBA regularly from each of the league's cities. A total of 17 players received at least one vote. Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon finished fourth with 238 points, followed by Chicago's Scottie Pippen (226), Seattle's Gary Payton (98) and Utah's Karl Malone (85). Jordan, who previously won the MVP in 1987-88, 1990-91 and 1991-92, averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.20 steals (third in the league) to lead the Bulls (72-10) to the best record in NBA history. He led the league in scoring for a record eighth time, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. The 11-year veteran also joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone as the only players in NBA history to score 2,000 or more points in nine different season. Jordan was the only player named on all 113 ballots.