This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
After Red Holzman’s playing career ended in 1954, he continued on as the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks' head coach, a position he held through 1956. Holzman then returned to his hometown of New York City and became the Knicks head scout and soon an assistant coach (while also coaching the top team in the Puerto Rican pro league). In 1967, he took over the head coaching position for the Knickerbockers where over the next decade he would win two NBA championships and one Coach of the Year Award. The latter came after leading the Knicks to a 60-22 regular season in 1969-70 that included a record-setting 18-game win streak. The Knicks met the Lakers in the Finals, the first of three classic East-West grudge matches that would play out over the next four years. In the 1970 Finals, Holzman successfully guided his crew to victory in the decisive Game 7, often referred to as one of the greatest Game Sevens in sports history. For all his efforts that '69-70 season in bringing New York its first title, Holzman was named the NBA's Coach of the Year and received this tall trophy measuring [34"] in height and [10"] by [10"] at the base weighing 10 pounds. The engraved plaque at its base reads, “NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION COACH OF THE YEAR 1969-70 RED HOLZMAN SELECTED BY THE WRITERS AND BROADCASTERS.” A golden urn surmounted by a figure bearing a laurel is perched atop the wood base from which four golden columns rise. On top of this is a platform with another golden urn surrounded by four players and one larger one holding a basketball aloft in triumph. This impressive award shows some wear from age and display, remaining as imposing and stunning as it was when it was presented to Holzman in 1970. Included is a 11" by 14" photograph of Red receiving the award along with an official press-release on NBA letterhead announcing the prestigious honor. Comes from the personal collection Red Holzman with an LOA from the Holzman family.