PHOENIX—In recognition of his contributions to the sport, the NBA Most Valuable Player Award was announced Tuesday night with the 76ers shooting guard Tim Duncan as its sole recipient. "The award is a quintessential honor, and Tim Duncan is truly deserving of the award's highest honor," said Isobel Coffman, a member of the world's greatest basketball players and a fellow honorary winner. "I'm not saying he is the greatest player in the history of the award, but he is the best player in the history of the award." In addition to Duncan, whose name will be formally presented to the world's greatest basketball player when he is awarded the award during the ceremony, the world's greatest basketball player will be presented with the award in the very same ceremony.