Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award: A Legacy of Excellence

The History of the Award

The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, formerly known as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, was established in 1969 to honor the outstanding performer in the NBA Finals. The award was renamed in 2009 in honor of the legendary Boston Celtics center, Bill Russell, who won a record 11 NBA championships during his illustrious career.

The winner of the Finals MVP award is determined by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA Finals. The voters consider the player's overall performance, including his statistical contributions, leadership, and impact on the game.

Notable Recipients

Over the years, some of the most iconic players in NBA history have won the Finals MVP award. These include:

• Michael Jordan (6 awards)
• Lebron James (4 awards)
• Shaquille O'Neal (3 awards)
• Kobe Bryant (2 awards)
• Magic Johnson (2 awards)
• Larry Bird (2 awards)

Recent Winners

The most recent recipients of the Finals MVP award are as follows:

Year	Player	Team
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

Celtics Legacy

The Boston Celtics have a proud tradition of having their players win the Finals MVP award. Five Celtics have been named NBA Finals MVP:

• Larry Bird (1984, 1986)
• Havlicek (1974)
• Cousy (1957)
• Bill Russell (1968)
• Sam Jones (1965)

The Celtics' success in the NBA Finals is a testament to their commitment to teamwork and execution. They have been able to consistently produce great players who can make a significant impact in the most important games of the season.