Tang Tian went onstage and shook hands with Tatum, then embraced Barkley and Smith.
Three straight MVPs were already the highest honor a player could receive.
Looking across the entire history of the NBA, only Chamberlain, Bird, and Jordan had done it.
Tang Tian had now become the fourth.
Although the earlier speeches had left him at a loss for words, when it came to the weightiest award, the MVP, he still had plenty to say.
Interestingly, with a new League President in place, the first party he thanked was the league itself.
That was pretty real.
He thanked everyone from the league to the fans, and in the end, just as he had after winning the championship, he especially thanked Kemba, Jimmy, and the others.
"This isn't just my honor. It belongs to Kemba, Jimmy, every Pelicans player, and all the fans too. Pelicans Championship."
Tang Tian's final words drew quite a few whistles from the crowd.
After the MVP was presented, the All-Defensive Team and All-NBA Team were announced to close out the night.
From the All-Defensive Second Team to the All-NBA First Team, each group of five took the stage for introductions and photos after being announced.
This was also the final big happy-family segment of the award ceremony.
All-Defensive Second Team: Dejounte Murray, Conley, Antetokounmpo, Green, Embiid
All-Defensive First Team: Jrue Holiday, Tang Tian, Butler, Davis, Gobert
Third Team: Curry, Walker, George, Aldridge, Horford
All-NBA Second Team: Westbrook, Harden, Butler, Davis, Embiid
All-NBA First Team: Lillard, Tang Tian, Durant, James, Antetokounmpo
With the All-NBA Team awards presented, the NBA's first annual awards night came to an end.
The Pelicans were undoubtedly the biggest winners of the night.
Tang Tian alone had taken home MVP, Best Teammate, Dunk of the Year, Assist of the Year, Clutch Shot