While researching and writing yesterday’s OT on the top defensive players, I spent some time reading about the Defensive Player of the Year and NBA All-Defensive Teams. In doing so, I discovered some awards that are no longer given. I thought this could be a fun, low-key post. Hop you enjoy.
The Walter A. Brown Trophy (1947-1976) preceded the Larry O’Brien trophy. Brown, the Celtics original owner, was who was instrumental in the BAA–NBL merger that created the NBA. The trophy was singular, meaning it was handed to the champion each year (similar to the Stanley Cup) and only one team had the trophy at a time.
The Comeback Player of the Year (1981-1986) was a short-lived attempt to increase interest in the NBA. Designed to honor a player who bounced back from a subpar season, the award suffered from a lack of clarity. Three of the six winners were returning from drug and/or alcohol problems. Two of the winners missed the prior season due to contract disputes. The Comeback Player award evolved into the Most Improved with more defined parameters.
The IBM Award (1984-2002) “award was sponsored and calculated by technology company IBM and was determined by a computer formula, which measured a player’s statistical contribution to his team.” Imagine Edgar from Electric Dreams spitting out the NBA MVP and eliminating the voting process. While the basis sounds ridiculous, it should be stated that in the nineteen seasons, the awards was given, David Robinson won five times. In fact, there were only X winners. In addition to Robinson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, Grant Hill, Karl Malone, Dikembe Mutombo, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tim Duncan also were recipents during its run.
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