NBA names finals MVP award after Russell

PHOENIX, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The NBA has named its annual most valuable player award for the playoff finals after Boston Celtics great Bill Russell beginning this season.

Commissioner David Stern made the announcement in Phoenix, the site of this year's all-star contest.

"Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion?" Stern asked during a news conference Saturday. "He is respected by colleagues, coaches, fans, and his legacy clearly has withstood the test of time."

"This is a bittersweet award," Russell said. "This is quite flattering. I just lost my special partner (but) I accept this for my team. My team included our coach, Red Auerbach."

Russell's wife Marilyn died of cancer three weeks ago.

He was a five-time NBA MVP and won 11 championships as a player and coach, but never won the finals MVP award.

He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.