In celebration of the NBA's 75th anniversary, the league announced last week the addition of a host of new trophies to be awarded during the 2022 NBA playoffs.
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At the conclusion of the Conference Finals, the winning teams will be awarded The Bob Cousy Trophy (East) and The Oscar Robertson Trophy (West).
The NBA today unveiled a lineup of reimagined trophies for the NBA postseason, including an evolution of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, awarded annually to the NBA champions.
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2022
Learn More: https://t.co/kN7X1XYopL pic.twitter.com/F7Lyerf0J3
Continuing with the theme of honoring its legends, in recognition of the best players in the respective series, an MVP trophy will be awarded for both conferences, with the East's trophy named after Larry Bird and the West's named after Magic Johnson.
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What is the Magic Johnson Trophy?
The Magic Johnson trophy will be awarded to the MVP of the Western Conference Finals.
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
Magic Johnson Playoffs history
Johnson's dominance of the Western Conference as a member of the Lakers during the Showtime era of the '80s is a fitting tribute to the Hall of Famer.
Johnson made nine Finals appearances and won five NBA championships with the Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
- 5-time NBA champion
- 3-time Finals MVP
- 3-time Most Valuable Player
- 12-time NBA All-Star
- 2-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 9-time All-NBA First Team
- 4-time NBA assist leader
- 2-time NBA steals leader
- NBA Aniversary Team (50th and 75th)
- No. 32 jersey retired by the Lakers
