From 1967 through 1991, the Los Angeles Lakers won eleven Western Conference Titles and six NBA Championships at The "Fabulous" Forum in Inglewood, California. It was the birthplace of "Showtime" basketball, the most important seed of which was planted in the 1979 NBA Draft when the Lakers selected Earvin "Magic" Johnson with the #1 overall pick. The electrifying 6'9" point guard brought razzle-dazzle from Michigan State to Hollywood, giving Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes and Co. a playmaker with vision and creativity never before seen. The Lakers' fast-break became a weapon that literally ran opponents out of the gym. By the time James Worthy, Byron Scott and A.C. Green joined the party a few years later, Owner Jerry Buss and head coach Pat Riley had themselves a well-oiled machine. From 1980-1991, Magic and the Lakers went to the Finals nine times and won five titles.
Presented here is a spectacular monument from the latter years of the Showtime Lakers: the full basketball hoop system game-used by the Lakers and their opponents at the Great Western Forum from 1988 to 1994. It also includes the 1991 NBA Finals padding game-used in the Chicago Bulls' epic triumph over the Lakers that gave birth to the next era of basketball: the reign of Michael Jordan. His Airness led the Bulls to the franchise's first NBA title, an emphatic 4-1 series victory that signaled a changing of the guard, from Magic to MJ. The Game 5 clincher, which turned out to be Magic's last NBA Finals game, took place at The Forum and is best remembered for Jordan hugging the Larry O'Brien trophy as tears streamed down his face. The hoop system features the complete basketball stanchion and fully operational hydraulic lift to raise the hoop from a collapsed position up to its 10-foot shooting height. Applied to the arms of the yellow-painted hoop structure are the words "GREAT WESTERN FORUM" in purple lettering. (Naming rights deal announced Dec. '88.) The hoop is one of four used at the Forum court's east end from the beginning of the 1988-89 season until the end of the 1993-94 season. It was obtained during the Forum's renovation to its current design for concerts.
The glass backboard has been signed and inscribed by the following eight Laker greats: Magic Johnson ("5x NBA Champ"), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ("Captain"), James Worthy ("Big Game HOF 2003"), Elgin Baylor ("H.O.F. 77"), Norm Nixon ("2x NBA Champs"), Mychal Thompson ("87-88 NBA Champs"), A.C. Green ("NBA Iron Man"), and Byron Scott ("Showtime"). The blue 1991 Finals padding measures 59" tall and 30" wide with a large NBA logo stamped at top, "The 1991 NBA Finals" at center, and manufacturer "HUFFY" on the bottom. 12 members of the '91 Western Conference Champion Lakers team have signed the upper section, including: Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, Mychal Thompson, Vlade Divac, Elden Campbell, Sam Perkins, Larry Drew, Tony Smith, Terry Teagle, and assistant coach Randy Pfund. Magic added a second signature with his first name "Earvin" on the NBA logo. The backboard autographs come with a full LOA from PSA/DNA. The padding signatures are pre-certified by PSA/DNA. There are numerous photos and videos online matching this hoop system and Finals padding. What an incredible opportunity to own a museum-worthy basketball artifact and earn status into elite collector royalty.
Note: Due to the size and weight of the hoop system/stanchion, the cost of shipping will be substantial and require freight. Local pick-up recommended. Buyer is welcome to make their own shipping arrangements.