Who was the best player in the world each year in the NBA?

In this episode of Once Upon a Dribble, Josh is joined by CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn to explore a fun historical thought experiment: the unofficial “Best Player in the World Championship Belt.”

Instead of ranking players all-time, we track the league’s true crown year-by-year asking when the belt clearly belonged to one superstar and when it was up for grabs.

We discuss:

• Michael Jordan’s dominance in the 90s

• Shaq vs. Duncan in the early 2000s

• Kobe’s peak years

• When LeBron truly took the crown

• Steph, Kawhi, Giannis, Jokic and the modern era debate

Along the way we dig into the messiest transition seasons, controversial belt holders, and the players who came closest without ever holding the title.

Once Upon a Dribble is a basketball history & ideas podcast focused on context over hot takes.

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