Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are set to face Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, marking a rematch of their 1999 series. Wembanyama led the Spurs past the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference Finals, earning him the Magic Johnson MVP trophy, according to a May 31 announcement.
The NBA began awarding conference finals MVPs in 2022, naming the Western Conference trophy after Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson and the Eastern Conference trophy after Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird. After Wembanyama became just the fifth winner of his namesake award, Johnson used social media to offer congratulations, “I want to congratulate Victor Wembanyama on winning the Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson Trophy as the new Western Conference Finals MVP!” Johnson said on May 31.
Wembanyama’s season includes several accolades: Defensive Player of the Year honors, selections to both All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams, and now receiving the Magic Johnson trophy during his first NBA Finals appearance at age 22 in his third season.
Johnson himself was once recognized as a young talent who helped lead his team to an NBA Finals as a rookie. He has consistently acknowledged outstanding performances by current players regardless of team loyalty.
In related news, Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan participated in Richard Jefferson’s “Start, Bench, Cut” game focused on Los Angeles Lakers greats. When asked to rank Magic Johnson against Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, DeRozan chose to start Johnson, bench Bryant, and cut James. This ranking reflects ongoing debates among fans regarding all-time Lakers legends.