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What is the Bill Russell Award? Why NBA Finals MVP trophy is named after Celtics legend | Sporting News Canada

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What is the Bill Russell Award? Why NBA Finals MVP trophy is named after Celtics legend | Sporting News Canada

Bill Russell’s indelible impact on the NBA extends far beyond his 13-year playing career with the Celtics.

Russell, an 11-time NBA champion and the league’s first-ever Black head coach, is one of the game’s greatest players, ambassadors and a mentor for generations of players to come after him. Russell passed away in 2022, but his name lives on through the NBA Finals MVP Award.

Since 2009, the NBA Finals MVP Award has been named in Russell’s honor. Prior to his passing, it was an annual tradition for the Hall of Famer to be on hand when the Finals MVP was announced at the conclusion of the series. Russell was last on hand to give the award to Kawhi Leonard in 2019.

Here is more on why the NBA’s Finals MVP Award is named in Russell’s honor.

MORE: Key stats, highlights from Celtics-Mavericks Game 5 meeting in the 2024 NBA Finals

Why is the NBA Finals MVP Award named after Bill Russell?

In 2009, then-NBA commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals MVP Award would be named in Russell’s honor.

“Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion,” said Stern. “Bill inspired a generation not just of basketball fans but Americans everywhere. He is respected by colleagues, coaches, fans and his legacy clearly has withstood the test of time.”

Russell is considered the ultimate champion because he has the individual record for most championships with 11. While he won 11 titles, Russell was never named Finals MVP because the award was first given in 1969, the same year Russell won his final title.

MORE: The Sporting News celebrates the life and legacy of Bill Russell

NBA Finals MVP Award winners

Here is the complete list of NBA Finals MVP Award winners. Michael Jordan is the all-time leader with six, followed by LeBron James, who has won the award four times. Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan have each won the award three times.

Year Player Team
2023 Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets
2022 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors
2021 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks
2020 LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers
2019 Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors
2018 Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors
2017 Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors
2016 LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers
2015 Andre Iguodala Golden State Warriors
2014 Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs
2013 LeBron James Miami Heat
2012 LeBron James Miami Heat
2011 Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks
2010 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
2009 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers
2008 Paul Pierce Boston Celtics
2007 Tony Parker San Antonio Spurs
2006 Dwyane Wade Miami Heat
2005 Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs
2004 Chauncey Billups Detroit Pistons
2003 Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs
2002 Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers
2001 Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers
2000 Shaquille O’Neal Los Angeles Lakers
1999 Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs
1998 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1997 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1996 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1995 Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets
1994 Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets
1993 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1992 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1991 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
1990 Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons
1989 Joe Dumars Detroit Pistons
1988 James Worthy Los Angeles Lakers
1987 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers
1986 Larry Bird Boston Celtics
1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Los Angeles Lakers
1984 Larry Bird Boston Celtics
1983 Moses Malone Philadelphia 76ers
1982 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers
1981 Cedric Maxwell Boston Celtics
1980 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers
1979 Dennis Johnson Seattle SuperSonics
1978 Wes Unseld Washington Bullets
1977 Bill Walton Portland Trail Blazers
1976 Jo Jo White Boston Celtics
1975 Rick Barry Golden State Warriors
1974 John Havlicek Boston Celtics
1973 Willis Reed New York Knicks
1972 Wilt Chamberlain Los Angeles Lakers
1971 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee Bucks
1970 Willis Reed New York Knicks
1969 Jerry West Los Angeles Lakers
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