The NBA has redesigned the trophies for six of its season-ending awards to honor previous winners — starting with a trophy for the MVP modeled after Michael Jordan.
In a statement, commissioner Adam Silver said the goal was to “celebrate some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA.”
Jordan’s trophy was designed with the help of former Nike and Jordan Brand executive Mark Smith. The trophy depicts Jordan reaching for a basketball while coming out of a rock at the base.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who won the 2021 MVP title, will receive the first trophy.
The other new trophies include:
- The Jerry West Trophy to honor the Clutch Player of the Year
- The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year
- The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for Rookie of the Year
- The John Havlicek Trophy for Sixth Man of the Year
- The George Mikan Trophy for Most Improved Player of the Year
The trophies follow the NBA’s recent trend of emphasizing its history, given that it’s still relatively young compared with other men’s leagues like MLB. In 2021, the league celebrated its 75th year.
