NBA renames its MVP trophy after Michael Jordan

The NBA has renamed its coveted most dear participant award after Michael Jordan – broadly thought-about to be one of the best basketball participant to ever hit the hardwood. The NBA introduced the brand new Jordan trophy as a part of six newly designed trophies named after the league’s legends.

The 24-inch tall bronze trophy commemorating the basketball icon encompasses a participant breaking out of a rock and reaching for a crystal basketball. In response to the NBA, the trophy’s attain “symbolizes an MVP’s countless chase for greatness.” Among the many different options embody Jordan’s jersey quantity and variety of championships, in addition to a five-sided base that is a nod to Jordan’s 5 league MVPs. 

Mark Smith, Jordan Model designer and retired vice chairman of innovation particular tasks at Nike, labored with Jordan on the design. In an announcement, he mentioned creating it was a “problem of a lifetime.” 

“As we labored collectively on this undertaking, it was essential to Michael that the determine not be a likeness of him, however as an alternative that the recipient ought to have the ability to see himself within the award,” Smith mentioned. “For Michael, naming the award in his honor was recognition sufficient.”

One of many new awards is the Jerry West trophy, given to the NBA’s most clutch participant. West, who was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for performing properly late throughout video games, is an NBA champion and 14-time NBA all-star. The award will honor the participant who “finest comes by way of for his teammates within the clutch,” the NBA mentioned.

The NBA’s defensive participant of the yr award was modified to the Hakeem Olajuwon trophy. The rookie of the yr award is now the Wilt Chamberlain trophy. The league’s sixth man of the yr award has been named the John Havlicek trophy. Essentially the most improved participant of the yr winner will now obtain the George Mikan trophy. 

“Our new assortment of trophies celebrates a few of the biggest and most impactful gamers within the historical past of the NBA,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned in an announcement.  “As we acknowledge the league’s prime performers every season, we additionally pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards.”

Christopher Brito

Christopher Brito is a social media producer and trending author for CBS Information, specializing in sports activities and tales that contain problems with race and tradition.