For three-straight seasons, Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird won the NBA Most Valuable Player award (1984-86). The streak tied a league record for most consecutive MVP awards won (Wilt Chamberlain from 1966-68 and Bill Russell from 1961-63).
The streak was thwarted by the man they call Magic, as Earvin “Magic” Johnson claimed the 1987 NBA MVP award. It was his first honor as league MVP after eight seasons in the NBA.
Johnson averaged 23.9 points (career-best), shot 52.2 percent from the field, led the league with 12.2 assists (led in four of the last five seasons), and added 6.