The NBA presented yesterday (12/5) the series with the renewed trophies of the postseason of the championship, including the renewal of the Larry O'Brien Trophy, which is awarded every year to the NBA champions. The six trophies, designed in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon and Tiffany & Co., bear the names of NBA legends who helped shape the league, and represent postseason supremacy.
The NBA's relationship with Tiffany & Co. It has been 45 years, with the American luxury house designing and building the Larry O'Brien Trophy since 1977, the Regions Champions Trophy since 2001 and the Bill Russell Trophy (MVP of the NBA Finals) since 2005. The Tiffany's legendary "Makers" - experienced craftsmen working in the workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island - create more than 65 trophies each year, in addition to the hundreds of other designs they also produce in the workshop. Solomon partnered with Tiffany & Co. to enrich the NBA trophy series for the postseason, renewing the way champions will be honored for the next 75 years.
The NBA Finals Trophies:
The Larry O'Brien Trophy
The league trophy, named after Larry O'Brien since 1984, honors the NBA's third commissioner, who oversaw the absorption of four ABA teams by the NBA and increased international transfer deals. The trophy is 64,77 cm high and weighs about 30 kg, with its latest edition having evolved into three main areas:
The configuration of the net and the ball has shifted forward, symbolizing the championship that looks to its future.
In addition to the 24 carat gold, emphasis has been placed on the 925 silver that forms the ball and the net.
The base has been remodeled and has two stacked discs. The table above lists the top 75 NBA champions. From this year, the name of each NBA champion will be engraved on the bottom disc of each new trophy, ensuring that each team receives a unique trophy that will bear their name. The second album was designed to have enough space and list the next 25 NBA champions, up to the 100th anniversary season of the league. At the bottom of the trophy is the new NBA Finals logo.
The Bill Russell Trophy
The NBA Finals MVP trophy, named after Bill Russell since 2009, honors a legend who has won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. The Bill Russell Trophy, which remains at 43,81 cm in height and weighs 11 kg, is now all gold plated to match the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
The trophies of the Champions of the Regions
The NBA named the trophies of the Regions champions after two NBA legends, Bob Cousi and Oscar Robertson, for their outstanding contribution to the court and the impact they had as the first presidents of the National Basketball Association (NBPA).
Similar to the original trophies created in 2001, the Eastern and Western Champions's trophies each raise a silver basketball, which is symbolically divided into four sections, representing the key stages on the road to the NBA Finals: the entry to the playoffs and victory in the first round, the semifinals and the finals of the Region. At the bottom are the 15 teams from each Region and the logo of the finals of the Regions. Made of 925 silver, the trophy of the Western Region is 39,6 cm high and weighs 31 kg, while the trophy of the Eastern Region is also 39,6 cm high and weighs 28 kg. The layout at the base of both trophies includes the names of the Regions and the scores per round. The trophy of the champion of the Eastern Region is raised by three pillars, while the trophy of the champion of the Western Region is hoisted by two rings.
The Bob Cousy Trophy
With the nickname "Mr. "Basketball" and "The Houdini of the Hardwood" for his amazing creative prowess, Cushi has been included in every anniversary team in league history (25th, 35th, 50th and 75th). He is a six-time NBA Champion, a one-time MVP, a 13-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA Team member and a two-time NVA MVP All-Star Game. As the first president of the Players' Union, Kousi made a decisive contribution to securing significant benefits for the players.
"I have been a member of the NBA family since 1950 and one of my greatest joys since the end of my career as a player has been to see the game evolve into what it is today," Cushi said. "There are few great achievements in sports other than representing your Region in the NBA Finals and I'm excited that the NBA has done me the honor of connecting with the Eastern Region champions for years to come."
The Oscar Robertson Trophy Trademark
Oscar "The Big O" Robertson was the first NBA player to average triple-doubles in an entire season. NBA Champion, MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team, Rookie of the Year, 3-time All-Star Game MVP and member of the 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Championship teams, Robertson is a one of the best all-around players in basketball history. Robertson was also the first African-American president of the Players' Union and played a key role in reforming the NBA Draft and introducing the free agency.
"I'm excited that the NBA Western Conference Champion's trophy has been named after me," said Robertson. "Several decades ago, I played in a rising and highly competitive league with huge talent. "This trophy represents for me not only my hard work to make the league better, but also all the efforts of the future Oscar Robertson Trophy Trademark winners that make the NBA great."
The MVP trophies of the Final Regions
The individual intelligence and team success of Larry Byrd and Erwin "Magic" Johnson defined the modern NBA in the 1980s. The two NBA legends are honored, giving their names to the trophies that will now be awarded each year to the MVPs of the East and West finals.
Each MVP Final Regions trophy raises a silver ball, similar to the Regions Champion trophies. The MVP Final Regions trophy carries a 24-carat gold net in its support structure, is 35,5 cm high and weighs about five kilos.
The Larry Bird Trophy
Larry Byrd's brilliant career features three NBA Championships, three MVP Awards, two MVP Final Awards, 12 All-Star appearances, 10 All-NBA Team appearances, one NBA Rookie of the Year Award, one NBA All MVP Award -Star Game and participations in the anniversary teams of the championship for 50 and 75 years.
"It is a great honor for me to associate my name with the MVP trophy of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals," Byrd said. "I know how difficult it is to reach this great milestone in the Eastern Conference finals and being named the most valuable player makes it even more special."
The Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy
As one of the greatest point guards of all time, Erwin Magic Johnson has created a legacy of excellence that includes five NBA Championships, three MVP Awards, three MVP Final Awards, 12 All-Star appearances, 10 All-NBA Team appearances. two MVP awards of the All-Star Game and participations in the 50th and 75th anniversary teams of the league.
"The NBA Finals are the last hurdle a team has to face to get to the big stage, the NBA Finals," Johnson said. "It is a real honor for me that my name has been imprinted in the trophy of the most valuable player of the finals of the Western Region. "This player excels on both sides of the field, makes his teammates better and leads his team to the biggest basketball scene."
In addition, the NBA and Meta Quest 2 recreated "NBA Lane" - the league's all-season marketing campaign - through virtual reality. From today on Horizon Worlds, fans will be able to play mini-games, watch the latest playoffs highlights and enjoy all six new trophies in the "Trophy Room".
AMPE