How is the Larry O’Brien trophy made?

Do you smell this smell? Yes, it is that of June, which announces the beginning of summer and the end of the NBA season. At the moment, moreover, the Heat and the Nuggets are facing each other in a final series of Playoffs to try to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. But by the way, how are these famous trophies offered to NBA champions made?

First thing to know, every year a new Larry O’Brien is made. Every season. The team that wins the Playoffs finds itself crowned NBA champion with this toy that it will keep to eternal life, for the heritage of his franchise. What not to make jealous, but especially what to be interested in the why and how of their manufacture:

The Larry O’Brien Trophy by the numbers:

▪️ Weighs ???????? pounds, stands ????????.???? inches tall
▪️ Manufacture by Tiffany’s since ????????????????
▪️ From ???????????????? to ????????????????, called the World Championship Trophy
▪️ Renamed after Larry O’Brien, the NBA’s ???????????????????? commissioner pic.twitter.com/3a1d30L2F5

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 29, 2023

First of all, why has this object been called the “Larry O’Brien” trophy since 1984? Firstly because the NBA loves to baptize everything and anything, and secondly because this appointment is therefore a direct tribute to the departure of the commissioner Larry O’Brien for his loyal service to the NBA. Indeed, between the rally with the ABA and beautiful TV rights negotiations, O’Brien was an important man in the exponential development of the Great League.

But back to the artifact that fascinates us today: a beautiful baby about 60 centimeters and 13.6 kilos, made of sterling silver, vermeil and overlaid with 24 carat gold. Ah well yes, we rarely do things by halves in America. Since his induction in 1977, the Larry O’Brien trophy has been made by Tiffany & Co. jewelry (hence the number of precious metals making up the beast). But that still doesn’t tell us how we make such an object every year. Come on, take a quick look in the workshop to understand how you ride the beast!

Note that we were therefore entitled to a change of look since last year after the 75th anniversary season of the Great League: the base of the trophy is now circular whereas it was rather square or rectangular before. Which doesn’t really change the basic ritual of making each piece separately and assembling them like a surprise Kinder toy, when everything is well cleaned. Six beautiful pieces prepared with parsimony to assemble the trophy that every NBA player dreams of having. And it’s almost a shame that players don’t put it together…themselves.