The NBA has renamed its MVP trophy after Michael Jordan
By Amy Woodyatt, CNN
Basketball great Michael Jordan can add another accolade to his mighty list of accomplishments — but this time, rather than receiving the trophy, he is the trophy, after the NBA unveiled the Chicago Bulls legend as the face of its latest Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The Michael Jordan Trophy, which will be awarded to the NBA’s regular season MVP, is one of six newly designed awards created to honor “the league pioneers who helped define the standards of excellence that these trophies represent,” the NBA said in a statement on Tuesday.
Jordan won the MVP award five times during his career, which spanned 15 NBA seasons in total: 13 with the Chicago Bulls (1984/85 through 1992/93 then 1994/95 through 1997/98) and two seasons with the Washington Wizards (2001/02 and 2002/03).
Widely considered to be the best basketball player ever, Jordan played in 1,072 NBA games, racking up 32,292 regular season points, 6,672 rebounds, 5,633 assists and 2,514 steals. He was a 10-time league scoring champion, made nine all-defensive teams in his career and was named Finals MVP six times.
The bronze trophy — which will be manufactured yearly by artist Victor Solomon — features a player breaking out of a rock to reach for a crystal basketball and is packed full of tiny details which nod to Jordan’s achievements.
The trophy is 23.6 inches tall and weighs 23.6 pounds, representing Jordan’s iconic jersey number (23) and number of NBA championships (6).
“Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “As we recognize the league’s top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards.”
The NBA Clutch Player of the Year — a new award designed to recognize the player who “best comes through for his teammates in the clutch” — will receive the Jerry West Trophy, the Hakeem Olajuwon trophy will go to NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy will be awarded to the Rookie of the Year, the John Havlicek Trophy will go to the NBA Sixth Man of the Year and the George Mikan Trophy to Most Improved Player of the Year.
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