TSR Sports: The NBA continues to honor one of its greatest players ever by officially renaming its All-Star Game MVP award after the late Kobe Bryant.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the news in a press conference today ahead of Sunday’s All-Star game. It’s only fitting that the trophy be named after Kobe, who has been honored throughout the weekend’s festivities.
“No one embodied All-Star more than Kobe Bryant,” Silver said in announcing the change, according to Bleacher Report.
Just to remind y’all of Kobe’s qualifications for such an honor, he was named to the All-Star Game 18 times in his career, including every year from 2000-2016, winning the game’s MVP award in 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011.
The renamed award will make its official debut on Sunday following the exhibition between Team LeBron and Team Giannis.
In addition to the renaming of the MVP award, the fourth quarter has been reformatted to honor Kobe: The frame will be untimed, with the winner decided by taking the leading team’s score, adding 24 points and setting that as the target score to reach in order to win the game.
Shortly after the award was announced, the Inside the NBA crew on TNT praised Silver for the decision to rename the award.
“I know it will be especially meaningful to that player that wins the first Kobe Bryant MVP,” Silver said. “I’m sure there will be other honors as well.”
