Since March 2020, around 20 employees from various departments in the NBA office have met nearly every Friday at 9 a.m. to discuss awards. They don’t gather to debate the merits of who should be the league’s MVP or Rookie of the Year but instead focus on the tangible reminders of player achievements: trophies. Now, after nearly two years of reimagining some of the league’s hardware, their efforts will be on full display.
On Thursday, the NBA plans to unveil revamped designs of seven trophies that will be handed out during the upcoming All-Star weekend in Cleveland. New-look All-Star rings, given to players in recognition of their selection, and medals for the Rising Stars champions will also be released. But among the redesigned pieces is the Kobe Bryant Trophy, named for the late Lakers star in the aftermath of his death and given annually to the All-Star Game MVP.
