The National Basketball Association (NBA) today unveiled a line of reinvented trophies for the NBA postseason, including an evolution of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NBA champions.
The six trophies, designed in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon and Tiffany & Co., are named after the NBA legends who they helped shape the league and represent the standards of excellence in the postseason.
For the NBA Champion Trophy, named after Larry O’Brien since 1984, honors the third commissioner of the NBA, who oversaw the absorption of four ABA teams by the NBA and the elevation of national broadcast deals. The trophy measures 24,5 inches tall and weighs approximately 30 pounds.
The NBA Finals MVP award, named after Bill Russell since 2009, honors a legend who won a record 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. The Bill Russell Trophy, which measures 14,25 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds, it is now finished in full gold vermeil for to match the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson helped define the modern NBA with his individual brilliance and team success in the decade of 1980. Together, Bird and Johnson’s bi-coastal rivalry captivated fans and played a pivotal role in elevating the league to new heights. The two NBA legends are honored as the namesakes of the trophies that will now be awarded each year to the Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVPs.
Larry Bird learns about the new Larry Bird Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, from NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Tatum. pic.twitter.com/CTdvhPI24y
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 12, 2022
Each Conference Finals MVP trophy raises a sterling silver ball, similar to conference champion trophies. The trophy bears a 24k gold vermeil net on its support structure, reflecting the new trophy Finals MVP, is 14 inches tall and weighs approximately five pounds.
Can you believe this little boy who grew up in Lansing, MI and played at Everett High School, won a NCAA Championship at Michigan State, and won 5 NBA Championships with the @Lakers would have the Western Conference Finals MVP Trophy named after him? Wow🤯 pic.twitter.com/satNxmi2ZG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 12,
“The NBA Conference Finals represent the last obstacle that a team must face to have the opportunity to reach the big stage, the NBA Finals” , Johnson said. “I am truly honored to have my name remembered in the Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy,” said the former Los Angeles Lakers player.
The NBA named the conference champion trophies in honor of two NBA legends, Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, for their outstanding contributions on the court and the impact they had as first presidents of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
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