SAN ANTONIO ? San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan edged New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd for NBA MVP honors Thursday in the award’s fifth-closest finish since the media began voting in 1981.

Duncan received 57 first-place votes and 954 points from a panel of 126 sports writers and broadcasters, while Kidd drew 45 first-place votes and 897 points. Shaquille O’Neal was third with 696 points.

After word of Duncan’s selection was leaked Monday, Nets coach Byron Scott and O’Neal protested that the wrong player won. Kidd himself was more gracious, saying he was happy for Duncan.

Duncan, who finished second to Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson in last year’s MVP voting, acknowledged that a number of players had great years.

“I’m not going to give it back,” he said after receiving the Maurice Podoloff Trophy at the Alamodome, “but if someone else won it, I wouldn’t dispute it.”

The 57-point gap between Duncan and Kidd was the biggest since Karl Malone beat Alonzo Mourning by 54 after the 1998-99 season.

Duncan, in his fifth pro season, set personal bests in scoring average (25.5 points) and rebounding average (12.7) while leading the Spurs to the Midwest Division title and a tie for the league’s second-best record (58-24).

He earlier was voted to the All-NBA first team for the fifth time and to the All-Defensive first team for the fourth straight year.

Duncan ranked fifth in the league in scoring, second in rebounding, and third in blocked shots (2.48 average). His 67 double-doubles led the league.

Kidd, in his first year with the Nets, led them to the Atlantic Division title with a 52-30 record. He averaged 14.7 points, 9.9 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Kidd made the first-team All-NBA and All-Defensive teams. He led the league with eight triple-doubles, was second in assists and third in steals.

O’Neal, the MVP in 1999-00, was the center on the All-NBA first team. He ranked second in the NBA in scoring (27.2) and sixth in rebounding (11.3) while guiding the Lakers to a 58-24 record.