<P> Jordan again led the league in scoring during the 1987 -- 88 season , averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5 % shooting and won his first league MVP Award . He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year , as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a league high 3.16 steals per game . The Bulls finished 50 -- 32 , and made it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in Jordan 's career , as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games . However , the Bulls then lost in five games to the more experienced Detroit Pistons , who were led by Isiah Thomas and a group of physical players known as the `` Bad Boys '' . </P>
<P> Jordan again led the league in scoring during the 1987 -- 88 season , averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5 % shooting and won his first league MVP Award . He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year , as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a league high 3.16 steals per game . The Bulls finished 50 -- 32 , and made it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in Jordan 's career , as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games . However , the Bulls then lost in five games to the more experienced Detroit Pistons , who were led by Isiah Thomas and a group of physical players known as the `` Bad Boys '' . </P>
when did michael jordan win his first mvp
when did michael jordan win his first mvp
1987 -- 88 season
1987 -- 88 season