This year the NBA celebrates its 75th anniversary, and the league’s latest announcement looks back at some of the legends who have carved their names in NBA history: unveiling two new playoff special trophies honouring icons Larry Bird and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, and set to be annually awarded to the MVP of the Eastern and Western Conference finals series.

Friends off the court, adversaries on, the rivalry between Bird’s Boston Celtics and Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers is iconic. Combining to win eight NBA titles and five Finals MVPs during the 80s between them, their dogged battles helped propel the popularity of the NBA domestically and abroad.

Larry Bird learns about the new Larry Bird Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, from NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Tatum. pic.twitter.com/CTdvhPI20y

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 12, 2022

“I am very honoured to have my name associated with the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals MVP Trophy,” said Bird. “I know how tough it is to get to this great milestone … and to be named the Most Valuable Player makes it even more special.”

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1524788730631815168?cxt=HHwWgICg7bLRkakqAAAA

“The conference finals represent the last hurdle a team must face for an opportunity to make it to the big stage, the NBA Finals,” added Johnson. “I’m truly honoured to have my name memorialized on the Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy. This player excels on both ends of the court, makes his teammates better and leads his team to the greatest stage in basketball.”

Meanwhile, the NBA’s traditional Eastern and Western Conference championship trophies have been renamed in honour of NBA stars Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson.