Latest news with #NBAChampionshipTrophy
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Larry O'Brien trophy visits the Sharks as NBA Finals approach
The iconic Larry O'Brien basketball NBA Championship Trophy made a special visit to Durban this month. The visit thrilled South African sports fans by dropping in on the Sharks rugby team. This marks another exciting stop on the trophy's global tour ahead of the 2025 NBA Finals, which tip off on 5 June. The Larry O'Brien Trophy, a symbol of basketball excellence. It has been captivating fans worldwide as the NBA Playoffs enter their final, nail-biting stages. The trophy itself is a masterpiece, crafted from nearly 16 pounds of sterling silver with a 24-karat gold overlay, according to the NBA. Its design is elegant yet dynamic, etched to resemble a basketball net with a regulation-size ball perched on the rim. HISTORY OF THE TROPHY The trophy's history dates back to 1978, when it replaced the Walter A. Brown Trophy. In 1984, it was renamed in honour of Larry O'Brien, the NBA commissioner from 1975 to 1984. Larry played a pivotal role in expanding the league and introducing the three-point shot. Larry O'Brien's legacy is etched not only in the trophy but also in the growth of basketball worldwide. 'Larry was a visionary who helped shape the NBA into the global phenomenon it is today,' said a spokesperson from NBA Africa. 'Having the trophy here in Durban is a testament to basketball's expanding reach. It is the passion that inspires in South Africa.' South African basketball fans have plenty to cheer for beyond the NBA Finals. The local team, Made By Basketball (MBB), is led by 1986 NBA champion Sam Vincent. The team is gearing up for the Basketball Africa League's (BAL) Nile Conference. The conference kicks off in Kigali on Saturday. MBB's journey could bring top-tier basketball to South African soil during the BAL Playoffs and Finals at SunBet Arena in Pretoria from 6 to 14 June. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, priced affordably for local fans eager to witness high-level competition live. 'The Larry O'Brien Trophy's visit energises our players and fans alike,' said Sam Vincent. 'It's a reminder of what's possible with hard work and dedication. We hope to bring that same spirit to the BAL and make South Africa proud.' With the NBA Finals just around the corner and the BAL season heating up, basketball is firmly on the South African sports map. The Larry O'Brien Trophy tour is a celebration of basketball's growing influence and a call to fans to embrace the game's excitement. As the countdown to 5 June 5 continues, South African fans can look forward to thrilling NBA action on ESPN and NBA League Pass. The Larry O'Brien Trophy's visit to Durban is a shining example of basketball's unifying power, inspiring a new generation of players and supporters across the continent. In the words of a Sharks player who got to see the trophy up close: 'Holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy felt surreal. It's a symbol of greatness, and now it's part of our story here in South Africa.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Championship Team Will Make History For This Reason
The NBA world is on the precipice of history. One of the four remaining teams in the 2025 NBA playoffs will become an NBA champion, creating a scenario never seen before in the history of the league. The Eastern Conference finals matchup consists of the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. These teams met in last year's playoffs, with the Pacers advancing to the 2023-24 Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks, who find themselves in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, look to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Advertisement While the Knicks haven't graced the NBA Finals with their presence in 26 years, they are the only remaining team whose franchise has won an NBA championship (1970 and 1973). The Indiana Pacers along with the Western Conference finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves are three franchises who are seeking their first ever NBA championship. Throughout the history of the NBA, dynasties continuously pop up, with teams generally becoming repeat champions or winning multiple titles in the span of a few years. The most recent list of NBA champions has told a different story. Upon the moment when one of the four remaining teams is crowned champion of the NBA world, history will be set. Advertisement The NBA will have seven different NBA champions over the past seven years. As per @statmuse on X, this has never occurred in the history of the NBA. Ever since the Toronto Raptors won the NBA Finals in 2019, the league has seen a different champion ever year: The Los Angeles Lakers (2020), the Milwaukee Bucks (2021), the Golden State Warriors (2022), the Denver Nuggets (2023), and the Boston Celtics (2024). A view of the Larry O Brien NBA Championship Trophy as U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes the Milwaukee Bucks to the South Lawn of the White House to honor the team for its NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-Imagn Images The path to history begins on Tuesday when the Thunder take on the Timberwolves in Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN. The Knicks vs. Pacers series begins on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EDT on TNT. Advertisement Related: Ticket Prices For Game 1 of NBA Conference Finals' Are Turning Heads
