Addendum: To clarify the catalog heading, only the shorts show an apparent photo-match to the 1980 NBA Finals. Also, the MEARS letter explains that the jersey may have originally been worn by a different player due to the unique nameplate and number characteristics.
Julius "Dr. J" Erving was the most dominant and influential player of his era, an innovator and ambassador of the game whose scintillating style of play above the rim changed how basketball was played and facilitated the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The 6'7" forward was a wizard with the ball, performing moves never before seen or attempted: midair spins, cradling the ball, punctuated by powerful dunks. His excellent mid-range game made him virtually impossible to defend. An All-Star each of his 16 professional seasons, Erving won three championships, four MVP awards, and three scoring titles while playing for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets of the ABA, and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA from 1976-87. Offered here is Dr. J's 1979-80 76ers game-worn road uniform from his highest scoring NBA season. Erving averaged 26.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in leading Philadelphia to an Eastern Conference title and a berth in the Finals where they fell to the Lakers in six games.
The red mesh jersey and shorts are properly tagged by Wilson and show outstanding game use, with sweat staining and other signs of soiling as well as evident fraying and pilling. The jersey features all-original lettering and numbers: "SIXERS" on the front and Erving's "6" front and back in white-on-blue tackle twill. The size 44 laundry tag at the tail includes a handwritten "3' Ex Long" flag tag. "ERVING" is sewn in white across the back on a red nameplate, something that was not standard for 76ers jerseys from that era (MEARS provides more info in the LOA). The size 34 shorts have a red, white and blue elastic waistband are tagged by Wilson and Pearson, with a flag tag marked "#6" in black and a "79" year strip tag sewn below. The era-appropriate 76ers embroidered logo patch appears on the right front leg. The unwoven and uneven drawstring appears to match [Getty Image 531078724] from Game 5 of the 1980 NBA Finals. The uniform comes with impeccable provenance from the family of Erving's longtime agent, the late Bob Woolf.
LOA from the Woolf family. Letter from MEARS graded A6.