NBA unveils Kobe Bryant All-Star Game trophy two years after his death
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NBA Kobe Bryant Trophies
Source: NBA
Two years ago, the All-Star Most Valuable Player Trophy was redesigned by The National Basketball Association to honour Kobe Bryant.
The NBA had previously named this award in honor of the 18-time All-Star who was awarded a record-breaking four MVPs during the annual exhibition match. Bryant and his daughter Gianna (13 years old) were killed in a helicopter accident in Calabasas in California in January 2020.
The 2022 All-Star Game will see top NBA players meet in Cleveland, Feb. 20, 2022. Already, the starters were announced. Thursday’s announcement will reveal who the reserve players are.
On Thursday, the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed the MVP Trophy for the very first time. saidBryant’s passing in February 2020 saw the award renamed in Bryant’s honor.
Silver stated that Kobe Bryant was synonymous with NBA All-Star. He embodies this spirit of global celebration of the game.” Silver released a statement. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers won the inauguralKobe Bryant won the MVP award in that year.
Along with the MVP award, the NBA has just announced redesigned trophy designs for the Slam Dunk Contest (Skill Challenge), Rising Stars competition, and the celebrity game.
The artist teamed with the league Victor SolomonSolomon, who is known for creating $30,000-a-year handcrafted basketball hoops. Solomon explained to CNBC that the new trophy designs allowed him to push himself creatively and expand the possibilities of what he and his team could make.
Kobe Bryant 8 of the Western Conference All Stars speaks with Michael Jordan 23 of the Eastern Conference All Stars at the Phillips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia on February 9, 2003.
Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE | Getty Images
Kobe is honored by a trophy
The NBA approached Solomon in March 2020 to discuss a redesign.
His eight-sided Kobe Bryant trophy has an eight-sided bottom that pays tribute to Bryant and his first No. He wore the No. 8 jersey he wore in high school.
The event also recognizes Bryant’s All-Star Game MVP performances. His most notable was his 2002 debut. Bryant, who grew up in Philadelphia, scored an impressive 31 points that year in front of the crowd.
The 15-pound trophy has four levels of accolades. The trophy is dedicated to him and his No. They pay tribute to his No. 24 Los Angeles Lakers jersey as well as the No. 10 that he wore to represent Team USA. Bryant is also honored with the trophy, which highlights his five NBA championships.
Solomon explained that the trophy should reflect Solomon’s “presence, innovation, and boldness.” It was serendipitous, that when we began moving in this creative direction for the trophy, some very poignant stories moments naturally emerged from it.
Solomon’s contributions to basketball were not widely known until 2016. That’s whenNike called.
According to a 2018 articleAccording to Sports Illustrated Solomon, Nike wanted one of his stained-glass, 24-karat golden basketball hoops as a way to commemorate Kevin Durant’s arrival in California. Solomon made Durant’s $30,000 basketball hoop with a crystal net.
Notable celebrities in music and basketball took note. Solomon designed pieces for Rick Ross, a hip-hop artist, and Paul Pierce (ex-NBA player).
Solomon said that “my real dream is to redesign the NBA’s trophies,” Sports Illustrated reported. We need new trophies.
NBA Dunk Trophies
Source: NBA
Solomon recalls that quote, and said it was “crazy.” Solomon said that his relationship with the NBA began “organically” when the NBA asked him to design a trophy for the G League.
Solomon said, “It was not lost upon me that that was my chance to impress and set the stage to a greater vision that I had.”
Since 1986, the NBA’s All-Star trophy has mostly looked the same — a plaque of a basketball with the NBA logo in the middle. The trophy was redesigned 10 times.
It is not clear how much the NBA spent on this trophy for Kobe Bryant. Larry O’Brien Trophy, which is awarded each year to the NBA Finals winner, was made by Tiffany & CoIt has been reported that it was worth $13,000 According to industry sources, that number is closer than $60,000.
Solomon answered a question about whether the Kobe Bryant trophy is worth as much as the $30,000 hoops.
NBA Rising Star and NBA 3 Point trophies
Source: NBA
It’s high stakes
Kobe Bryant’s trophy and the other awards are part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season.
We agreed that All-Star was the best place to begin to tackle this issue and to reimagine them. [trophies]Christopher Arena (head of the NBA’s brand and on-court partnerships), said, “We are confident.” “We knew there was more. It was possible to respect the past, but also invent.
Other than the Kobe Bryant trophy redesign, most prominent are the ones for the AT&TMountain Dew sponsors the Slam Dunk trophy as well as the three-point contest crown. The trophy includes a crystal-star-shaped 14 inch column with a basketball in 24-karat Gold.
Solomon explained that the creative process included putting “a classic gold ball on a wooden base” and then using the imagery to create the new version.
Solomon stated, “It wasn’t lost on us the high stakes were.”
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