The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award: A Complete History

Introduction

The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is an annual honor bestowed upon the player who has contributed the most to their team's success in the NBA Finals. The award was renamed in 2009 to honor the legendary Bill Russell, who won 11 championship rings as a player and coach with the Boston Celtics.

History of the Award

The NBA Finals MVP award was first awarded in 1969, and has since been won by some of the greatest players in league history. Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are just a few of the players who have taken home the prestigious honor.

The award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA Finals. The voters consider a variety of factors when making their decision, including the player's performance in the series, their team's record, and their overall impact on the game.

Past Winners

Here is a list of all the past winners of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award:

Year	Winner	Team
1969	Jerry West	Los Angeles Lakers
1970	Willis Reed	New York Knicks
1971	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Milwaukee Bucks
1972	Wilt Chamberlain	Los Angeles Lakers
1973	Dave DeBusschere	New York Knicks
1974	John Havlicek	Boston Celtics
1975	Rick Barry	Golden State Warriors

Conclusion

The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award is one of the most prestigious honors in basketball. It is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the players who have won it. As the NBA continues to grow in popularity, the award is sure to continue to be a coveted prize for years to come.