A rebrand of NBA awards to honour legends Wilt Chamberlain, John Havlicek, Michael Jordan, George Mikan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Jerry West has been unveiled.
Michael Jordan Photo: Photosport
Following a path set in naming the All-Star Game MVP trophy after Kobe Bryant, the NBA revealed the league MVP trophy would be re-established as The Michael Jordan Trophy this season.
Jordan won the MVP award five times and is a six-time NBA champion.
In a statement the NBA said its lineup of reimagined trophies "honors the league pioneers who helped define the standards of excellence that these trophies represent."
"Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA," commissioner Adam Silver said. "As we recognize the league's top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards."
The Jordan Trophy was designed with MJ in mind. It stands 23.6 inches (60cm) tall and weighs 23.6 pounds (10kg); Jordan's jersey number (23) and number of NBA championships (six) were the motivation.
The five-sided base represents Jordan's five league MVPs and the namesake badge is six-sided, pointing to his six NBA championships.
Jordan had a direct say in the design project with the NBA. Mark Smith, retired VP of Innovation Special Projects at Nike, Inc., and Jordan Brand designer, worked in creative partnership with Jordan.
"As we worked together on this project, it was very important to Michael that the figure not be a likeness of him, but instead that the recipient should be able to see himself in the award," Smith said. "For Michael, naming the award in his honor was recognition enough."
A new award, the NBA Clutch Player of the Year, will receive The Jerry West Trophy to be voted on by a media panel based on nominations from NBA head coaches. Nominations are to be based on which player "best comes through for his teammates in the clutch" the NBA said in a release.
Hakeen Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star and won two titles with the Houston Rockets.
Wilt Chamberlain was regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and won two titles.
Jerry West, knoicknamed "Mr Clutch" won a title with the Lakers and then won eight titles as an executive with the club.
John Havlicek played his entire career with the Boston Celtics winning eight titles.
George Mikan, known as "Mr Basketball" won five NBA Championships with the Chicago American Gears and the Minneapolis Lakers in the 40's and 50's.
The league established the following legends-driven trophies for annual awards starting with the 2022-23 season:
--Michael Jordan Trophy: MVP
--Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy: Defensive Player of the Year
--Wilt Chamberlain Trophy: Rookie Of the Year
--Jerry West Trophy: Clutch Player of Year
--John Havlicek Trophy: Sixth Man of Year
--George Mikan Trophy: Most Improved Player of the Year
-Reuters