Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy

Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is the championship prize awarded annually by the National Basketball Association to the winner of the NBA Finals. First presented following the 1978 NBA Finals, it replaced the original Walter A. Brown Trophy. The trophy is named in honor of former NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien, who served from 1975 to 1984 and oversaw a period of significant growth for the league. Crafted from sterling silver and vermeil with a 24-karat gold overlay, it stands approximately two feet tall and depicts a basketball about to enter a net.

History

The trophy's history is intertwined with the evolution of the league's championship award. From the league's inception through the 1977 NBA Finals, champions were awarded the Walter A. Brown Trophy, named for the original owner of the Boston Celtics. Following the 1977–78 NBA season, the league introduced a new trophy to honor the sitting commissioner, Larry O'Brien. His tenure included landmark events such as the ABA–NBA merger, the introduction of the three-point field goal, and resolving legal challenges like the Oscar Robertson suit. The first team to receive the newly named trophy was the Washington Bullets after they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1978 NBA Finals. The trophy has been presented every year since, with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers being among its most frequent winners.

Design

The trophy is manufactured by Tiffany & Co. and is renowned for its intricate design and precious materials. It is crafted from sterling silver and plated with 24-karat gold over a vermeil base, standing 24.5 inches tall and weighing approximately 14.5 pounds. The design features a regulation-size Spalding basketball in a net, poised at the moment before descent through the hoop. The basketball itself is uniquely detailed with the seams visible, and the net is crafted from strands of sterling silver. The trophy rests on a two-tiered base, upon which the names of the winning team, players, coaches, and executives are engraved. This design distinguishes it from other major sports trophies like the Stanley Cup or Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Traditions and presentation

The presentation of the trophy is a central ritual of the NBA Finals, typically occurring on the court immediately following the clinching victory. The trophy is presented by the NBA Commissioner, a tradition upheld by figures such as David Stern, Adam Silver, and their predecessors. The ceremony usually involves the commissioner handing the trophy to the team's owner or a designated representative, followed by speeches from team leadership and the awarding of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. The winning team then engages in celebratory traditions such as donning championship hats and T-shirts, a locker room champagne celebration, and a subsequent victory parade in their home city, often attended by hundreds of thousands of fans.

Winners

A list of winners corresponds directly to the champions of the NBA Finals since 1978. The most successful franchise in the trophy's history is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have won it 12 times under the leadership of legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. The Chicago Bulls won six titles during the Michael Jordan era in the 1990s, while the San Antonio Spurs captured five championships under coach Gregg Popovich. Recent winners include the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and the Boston Celtics, who won the most recent title in the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Each winning team receives permanent possession of a trophy.

Replicas and trophies

While the championship team keeps the primary trophy permanently, the NBA and Tiffany & Co. create several related trophies and replicas. Each player, coach, and key front-office executive on the winning roster receives a smaller, commemorative replica trophy. Furthermore, the league awards the Eastern and Western conference champions with distinct trophies named for legends Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, respectively. The championship organization also typically commissions additional rings and memorabilia to commemorate the victory. The original trophy remains one of the most iconic symbols in professional sports, representing the pinnacle of achievement in the National Basketball Association.

Category:National Basketball Association trophies and awards Category:Sports trophies and awards in the United States