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In the NBA, rings have a similar meaning, but for very different reasons than our society expects. It’s safe to say that every NBA player wants to end his career with at least one ring home. But what exactly are these coveted NBA rings?
Why do NBA players get rings? NBA players earn rings when they win the NBA Finals. The rings are extravagant, featuring diamonds, gold and other gemstones, with details that pay homage to the team’s history, identity and trip to the Finals. NBA players receive championship rings at the start of the new season; as of now, the 2022 NBA champion Golden State Warriors have not received their rings.
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What does an NBA ring look like?
NBA rings are intricate creations of a variety of gemstones and valuables, as well as intricate carvings. They are usually larger than typical rings, and their designs have evolved over the years, becoming more advanced and quirky in design. While there is no real fixed format, they usually contain two things: the team’s logo and the year they won the championship. In addition to that, it has made multiple nods and homages to the franchise’s history and identity.
For a better understanding, let’s take a look at the recently released NBA ring, the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Ring, which consists of more than 400 diamonds. The front of the ring features an emerald green “Deer” Bucks logo overlaid on the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Finals trophy. The purity percentage of the gold used in the trophy design is exactly 65.3 percent, which is the Bucks’ regular-season win rate. The top of the ring consists of 360 diamonds, a nod to the number of games the team has won since the new team took over.
There are 16 emerald-shaped diamonds on each side of the ring; the left side of the ring represents the Bucks’ 16 wins in the 2021 NBA playoffs, while the right side represents the Bucks’ 16 division titles in history . The 50 round stones on the bezel indicate that 50 years have passed since the team last won an NBA championship, while the emerald weighs 4.14 carats and refers to the 414 Milwaukee area code.
There’s more; the words “World Champion” are made of stones weighing 0.53 carats, a nod to how many years the Bucks have been around. The 3-carat stone on the shank represents the team’s three Eastern Conference titles. Badges such as “Fear the Deer” and “Bucks in 6” are engraved on both sides of the ring. One side has the player’s name made of diamonds (the ring is made for each player), and the player’s name is also a diamond. The other side of the ring is engraved with the series record of each playoff round, as well as the final score of the championship game. Each ring is worth over $20,000.
The Bucks 2021 Ring is the latest in a series of classic luxury ring designs featuring gold and diamonds and intricate details. A look back in history will reveal a less detailed design, but still impressive and memorable. The first championship ring was awarded to the 1946-1947 inaugural BAA champion Philadelphia Warriors. The Warrior Ring is a simple gold ring with a small diamond held in the center. “Phila” is engraved on the ring, “Warriors” is engraved above the diamond, and “Champions” is engraved below the diamond.
When will the NBA ring be issued and who will receive it?
NBA rings are awarded to champions on the opening night of the new season. There is a ceremony to celebrate the team before the game, which includes the presentation of the ring. Every player and coach receives a (custom) ring, including those who left the team in past offseasons; they get a ring every time they visit the team’s arena with a new team . Teams can also decide who to ring.
What else do NBA players and teams get when they win the NBA championship?
Rings are the most eye-catching item for players and teams when they win an NBA championship. The Larry O’Brien NBA Finals trophy may be the most emblematic of the trophies, but it’s retained by the team, and each player can take home a ring. NBA teams also put up a banner in their stadiums to signify their success. NBA teams also receive some bonuses as part of the prize pool available to teams that qualify for the NBA playoffs. However, compared to their earnings and salaries, this sum doesn’t matter to the team or the players. For example, the 2018 NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly took home about $3.3 million.
Which NBA player has the most NBA rings?
The NBA player with the most NBA rings is the late Bill Russell with 11 rings. There are pictures of Russell with all 11 of his rings in his palm because he has more rings than fingers! Other notable players with multiple rings include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James; Jordan was notorious for bending his 6 rings frequently.
Walking away with an NBA ring is a career highlight for every NBA player who is lucky enough to earn an NBA ring. It is indeed a blessing and an honor to get a ring because the person who wins one likes to rule over those who cannot get it in their career. While the “ring” claim is a popular term for determining player greatness, it shouldn’t be the only factor, but it’s certainly hard to say no to all the bling!
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