This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/3/2020
Addendum: Includes letter from Lakers team employee.
The 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers finished the regular season with 67 wins, finishing with the most wins since the 1971–72 L.A. team that won a franchise record 69 games. The Lakers clinched the top playoff seed for the 25th time in franchise history, and the first in nine years. Center Shaquille O'Neal was named Most Valuable Player of the regular season and a 21-year-old Kobe Bryant earned All-NBA Defensive First Team while emerging as one of the NBA's young superstars. The Lakers bested both the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns in five games apiece in the first two playoff rounds before locking horns with the Portland Trailblazers in the Western Conference Finals. They defeated a Blazers team that featured Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen and Steve Smith in seven games before going on to win the NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, four games to two, and claim the franchise its 12th NBA title. It marked the Lakers first championship since 1988 and would start an impressive "Three-Peat."
This lot features a breathtaking 14-karat yellow gold ring issued to the Lakers' team psychologist, George T. Mumford. It is made to the exact specifications of the player versions issued to Shaq, Kobe, etc. The face is paved in real brilliant-cut diamonds beneath the "Lakers" name, and 10 large real diamonds appearing five on each side, for a total of 2.05 carats. "World Champions" also appears on the front in raised lettering. One shank of the size 9.5 ring has “GTM” clearly marked, along with the iconic NBA player logo and the Lakers' season (67-15) and playoff (15-8) records. On the other side a figural engraving of a basketball and hoop has yet another large diamond in the center of the basketball, plus the eccentric "Bling Bling" wording and the year "2000." Inside the ring's band is a "14K" stamping. It shows light wear and comes in terrific condition. Includes LOA from George Mumford and appraisal letter sent to him when he worked for the Lakers.