This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/20/2016
The Larry O'Brien Trophy is the award given annually by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to the winner of the NBA Finals. The name of the trophy was previously the Walter A. Brown Trophy until 1984. The current design was first awarded in 1977, still under its original name, which was changed in honor of former NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien who served from 1975 to 1984. Before joining the NBA, O'Brien was the U.S. Postmaster General under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1965 to 1968. This lot includes an exact brass replica of the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy that was awarded to the Boston Celtics following their 1980-81 NBA title season. It was the Celtics' 14th championship in franchise history and the first for a young Larry Bird in just his third pro campaign. Coming into the season, General Manager Red Auerbach traded two first round picks to the Golden State Warriors for future Hall of Famers Robert Parish and Kevin McHale (i.e. his draft rights) in what remains one of the biggest steals ever. In the 1981 playoffs, the Celtics swept the Bulls and beat the 76ers in seven games before defeating the Houston Rockets in the Finals, four games to two. Just like the original, this trophy stands 24" tall and weighs 14 pounds. Its base measures 10" wide by 12" long and has the following verbiage engraved alongside the NBA logo: "THE LARRY OBRIEN TROPHY - 1981 WORLD CHAMPIONS - CHICAGO BULLS." Awesome memento for Celtic fans and collectors to commemorate a historic season.