The NBA did something today that I really liked. The NBA unveiled 6 new trophies in honor of NBA Legends who are on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. How fitting the NBA MVP will now be named the Michael Jordan Trophy given to the NBA MVP. Michael Jordan the real GOAT in the NBA and his resume speaks for it’s self. I really like that the NBA Clutch Player of the Year is named for Jerry West. How fitting where Jerry West was nicknamed Mr. Clutch during his Hall of Fame playing career with the LA Lakers gets this trophy named after him which will now be the Jerry West Trophy.
When you think of a defensive player who really dominated as a center on the defensive side of the court, it was the Dream Hakeem Olajuwon as he showed how much of a defensive force he was during his Hall of Fame career. The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy will now be given to the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Olajuwon is the all time leader in block shots and I think that’s why he was chosen for this trophy to be named after him. The NBA Rookie of the Year will be named for the late Wilt Chamberlain as the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy. Chamberlain had an incredible rookie season with the then Philadelphia Warriors where he averaged 37.6 points 27 rebounds in 46.4 minutes per game which was on the way to a Hall of Fame career. How fitting the rookie of the year will be named for the late Chamberlain who had the greatest rookie season in NBA history.
John Havlicek was one of the first great Sixth man in NBA History. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year will now be named the John Havlicek Trophy given to the top given to the top sixth man in the NBA. The late John Havlicek coming off the bench at the beginning of his Hall of Fame with the Boston Celtics played a very big role during his first seven seasons in the NBA where the Celtics were a dynasty. When you think of an NBA player that used skills to improve his game and used it for other NBA players to improve their game it was the late George Mikan as the Most Improved Player will now be named the George Mikan Trophy. A layup and footwork exercise known as the “Mikan Drill” has been used for decades by players at all levels to improve their game. How fitting this award is named for George Mikan the first real superstar in NBA history. Great move for the NBA to rename these awards for NBA legends who made a huge impact in our game for so many years.