In 2021-22, the NBA's 75th Anniversary season, the league introduced a new suite of trophies to be awarded to the best teams and players during the playoffs.
The best individual performers in both the Eastern and Western Conference are now awarded the Larry Bird and Magic Johnson trophies for MVP of the Conference Finals, while the winning team's trophies have also been given a facelift.
The Eastern and Western Conference champion trophies now honor two of the league's most iconic figures in Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson.
What is the Bob Cousy Trophy and why did the NBA choose the Boston Celtics legend for the honor? The Sporting News explains below.
MORE: What is the Larry Bird Trophy? More on the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award
What is the Bob Cousy Trophy?
The Bob Cousy Trophy is awarded to the team that wins the Eastern Conference Finals. It is named in Cousy's honor "for (his) outstanding contributions on the court and the impact (he) made as an early president of the NBPA," according to NBA Communications.
The NBA is naming its conference champion trophies after two NBA legends, Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, for their outstanding contributions on the court and the impact they made as early presidents of the NBPA. pic.twitter.com/kkaID0YqMd
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 12, 2022
Cousy helped lead the Boston Celtics to seven Eastern Conference titles between 1957 and 1963.
It's not the only basketball trophy named in Cousy's honor. Since 2004, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College of Holy Cross has awarded the 'Bob Cousy Award' to the most outstanding point guard in Division 1 college basketball.
Bob Cousy Trophy winners
The Miami Heat were crowned Eastern Conference champions in 2023, lifting the Bob Cousy trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 at TD Garden.
Alonzo Mourning presents the Eastern Conference Champions @MiamiHEAT with the Bob Cousy Trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jb0kRjREQN
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 30, 2023
In 2022, the Boston Celtics became the first team ever to lift the Bob Cousy trophy after defeating the Miami Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics went on to lose to the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals in six games.
Bob Cousy career stats in Eastern Conference Finals
Cousy appeared in 10 Eastern Conference/Division Finals in his career, going on to win six championships with the Celtics.
- 42 Eastern Division Finals games played
- 39.0 minutes per game
- 17.0 points per game
- 9.5 assists per game
- 5.0 rebounds per game
- 33.7 percent shooting
- 77.0 percent free throw shooting