Here is all about the Larry Bird Trophy, Eastern Conference Finals MVP award which pays tribute to the Celtics legend and its winners list
In 2022, the NBA revealed a series of new awards to commemorate the league’s 75th birthday. One of them is the Larry Bird Trophy.
The trophy, which bears the name of the former Celtics superstar, was established in his honour as well as the present talents who are on the verge of becoming legends. The Celtics will likely have to watch as one of their rivals wins the championship this year, which is a shame for them.
Everything you need to know about the recently introduced award is provided here, below:
What is the Larry Bird Trophy given to the Eastern Conference finals MVP winner and winners list
The Larry Bird Trophy will go to the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The trophy was unveiled at the NBA’s 75th anniversary celebrations last year. The Celtics’ standout Jayson Tatum, who assisted his team in making the 2022 NBA Finals, was fittingly given the first reward.
Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson helped define the modern NBA with their individual brilliance and team success in the 1980s. The two legends are honored as the namesakes for the trophies that will now be awarded each year to the Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVPs. pic.twitter.com/XW5ptAVtYX
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 12, 2022
The NBA also established the Earvin “Magic” Johnson trophy, which is awarded annually to the MVP of the Western Conference Finals. The award was handed to Stephen Curry, a star for the Warriors, the previous year.
The Bob Cousy Trophy will continue to go to the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Oscar Robertson Trophy will go to the winner of the Western Conference Finals.
Who will win the Larry Bird trophy in 2023?
The Heat’s best player Jimmy Butler is the clear favourite to win this year’s award. Butler has been exceptional throughout the 2023 postseason, and thanks to his help, Miami is up 3-0 in the series against the Celtics. He has so far averaged 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists during the playoffs.
His 35 points in Game 1 helped the Heat take an early lead in the series, and they haven’t looked back since. To qualify for the NBA Finals, they just need one more win.
Larry Bird Playoffs history
Bird dominated the Eastern Conference while playing for the Celtics in the 1980s, leading his team to five Finals appearances. He and his teammates battled Magic Johnson and the Lakers three times.
Bird steered Boston to three NBA Championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
- 3-time NBA champion
- 2-time Finals MVP
- 3-time Most Valuable Player
- 12-time NBA All-Star
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
- 9-time All-NBA First Team
NBA Aniversary Team (50th and 75th) - No. 33 jersey retired by the Celtics