With the 2024 NBA Finals set to begin with the Boston Celtics facing the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 at TD Garden, anticipation is high for what promises to be an electrifying series.
The Celtics, who topped the Eastern Conference with 64 wins, are making their second Finals appearance in three years, aiming for their first championship since 2008. A victory would secure their record-breaking 18th title, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers.
On the other side, the Mavericks, who secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record, are back in the Finals for the first time since their remarkable 2011 triumph over the Miami Heat.
Both teams are poised for a thrilling showdown, with superstars Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic leading the charge for their respective franchises.
At the conclusion of this epic battle, one outstanding performer will be honoured with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. This prestigious accolade, established in 1969, has been awarded to the most exceptional player in the Finals, as determined by a panel of eleven media members.
The award has seen 34 players receive the honour over 55 seasons, with legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson etching their names in history on multiple occasions.
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Legendary Laker Jerry West, the first-ever recipient of the Finals MVP award in 1969, remains the only player to have won the award despite being on the losing team. His remarkable performance for the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics set a unique precedent in NBA history.
As we await the crowning of the next Finals MVP, let's take a journey through history and revisit every player who has earned this illustrious award, reflecting on the incredible performances that have defined NBA Finals greatness.
