This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
NBA fans in 1973 tuning into that year’s Finals could be excused if they thought they were watching an alternative version of the previous year. Once again, the New York Knicks met the Los Angeles Lakers in an East-West grudge match, but unlike ’72 where L.A. lost the first game and then swept the next four, it was New York who lost the first followed by a four-game run. To no one’s surprise, Willis Reed was the Finals MVP, performing beautifully against L.A.’s Wilt Chamberlain. The deciding Game 5 was played at The Forum and ended with New York comfortably ahead, 102-93. In a bittersweet moment, it was Chamberlain who scored the final basket of the game, sinking a 2-pointer that would be his last before retiring as a player. At some point after the Knicks win, this net from one of the baskets was removed and presented to legendary Knicks head coach Red Holzman. The thick, rope-like net shows light toning from age and remains fully intact. This net was a treasured memento kept by Holzman from 1973 and remained with his family's collection long after his death until now being offered at auction for the first time. A one-of-a-kind piece from the last of the colossal NY-LA matchups and the final time the Knicks won the NBA Finals. Includes LOA from the Holzman family.