The NBA is making some changes this 2022 playoff, adding more silverware available for players and teams. This season had one of the most incredible MVP races in recent times, with Nikola Jokic beating Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo to become another back-to-back MVP award winner, emulating the Greek Freak.
It seems like we’ll have more discussions in the near future, as the league just announced they are bringing two more trophies for the conference finals. The best part of it? They’re named after the two greatest players of the 80s, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
NBA Conference Finals MVP Trophies
Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson helped define the modern NBA with their individual brilliance and team success in the 1980s. Together, Bird and Johnson’s bicoastal rivalry captivated fans and played a critical role in elevating the league to new heights. The two NBA legends are honored as the namesakes for the trophies that will now be awarded each year to the Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVPs.
Each Conference Finals MVP trophy raises a sterling silver ball, similar to the conference champion trophies. The trophy bears a 24k gold vermeil net in its support structure, mirroring the new Finals MVP trophy, and stands 14 inches tall and weighs approximately five pounds.
The Larry Bird Trophy
Bird’s illustrious career is highlighted by three NBA championships, three NBA MVP awards, two NBA Finals MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Rookie of the Year award, an NBA All-Star Game MVP award and selections to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
“I am very honored to have my name associated with the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals MVP Trophy,” said Bird. “I know how tough it is to get to this great milestone of the Eastern Conference Finals and to be named the Most Valuable Player makes it even more special.”
The Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy
One of the greatest point guards of all time, Johnson has built a legacy of excellence that includes five NBA championships, three NBA MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, two NBA All-Star Game MVP awards and selections to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
“The NBA Conference Finals represent the last hurdle a team must face for an opportunity to make it to the big stage, the NBA Finals,” said Johnson. “I’m truly honored to have my name memorialized on the Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy. This player excels on both ends of the court, makes his teammates better and leads his team to the greatest stage in basketball.”
This is a good addition, especially knowing that we are about to have incredible conference finals both in the East and West. Right now, nobody has made it to the series, but we can see how the picture looks to imagine which teams will make it to the last matchup before the Finals.
