The NBA’s end-of-season trophies have been redesigned and renamed after Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and other all-time greats, the league announced Tuesday.
The winner of the NBA’s annual regular season MVP award will now receive the Michael Jordan Trophy, while the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy will go to the rookie of the year.
Other changes revealed Tuesday include the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy going to the defensive player of the year; the John Havlicek Trophy going to the sixth man of the year; and the George Mikan Trophy going to the league’s most improved player.
“Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As we recognize the league’s top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards.”
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/INM6MNUGJFDHBOWAOIHVRRJQC4.jpg)
The NBA also announced a new honor — the NBA’s clutch player of the year — to recognize someone who excels in the biggest moments. The winner of the clutch award will receive the Jerry West Trophy.
“There are few greater thrills as a basketball player than coming through for your teammates and fans when they need it most,” said West, who earned Finals MVP in a losing effort with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1969 before winning a championship in 1972.
“This new trophy will be awarded to the player who best delivers in those moments.”
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/PCSONG3QCZG5JPGT4D6RDVTPHI.jpg)
The new, gold trophies each bear the likeliness of their respective Hall of Fame namesakes.
Jordan is a five-time MVP, while Olajuwon twice won defense player of the year. Mikan won most improved player in 1948, and Chamberlain was the NBA rookie of the year for the 1959-1960 season.
Havlicek, who excelled off the bench for the Celtics, retired before the sixth man honor was introduced in 1982.
