larry obrien nba championship trophy

Trophies Now, Rings Later for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers

Filed under: Sports

What was a big night for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers is also always a big night for Tiffany & Co. which designed and manufactured the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy, the trophy given to the team that wins the NBA Chamionship. Tiffany & Co. first created the trophy in 1978 but in 1984 the trophy was officially named for the late former NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien. It is handcrafted in sterling silver with a 24 karat gold overlay (also called vermeil). The trophy is nearly sixteen pounds and stands two feet tall and is etched to resemble a basketball net. Three rods extend from the base to give the seven-inch basketball the appearance of motion as it rests along the rim of the net. The trophy is created each year in the Tiffany & Co. silver shop. It is valued at around $13,500. The winning team keeps the trophy and the year and team names are engraved on it.

In Kobe's other hand is the smaller, ice cream cone like trophy is the the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. This award was a originally a black trophy with a gold basketball-shaped sphere at the top, similar to the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, until a smaller trophy with a silver base and a gold-plated basketball was introduced in 2005. Russell was at the Staples Center to present the award.

The victory will eventually lead to a fifth championship ring for Kobe Bryant. Last year's rings were awarded last October and made of a special limited 15K gold to celebrate the 15th championship and had 14 round diamonds circling the top of the ring to represent 14 championships with the small gold trophy on the top representing the 15th. Looks like they need more diamonds and more gold to celebrate this year's victory.

Gallery: Lakers Rings