This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2011
While Philly did make three trips to the NBA Finals in Dr. J's first six years with the team, the championship eluded them. The final piece of the Philadelphia 76ers' championship puzzle was completed before the 1982-83 season when they acquired center Moses Malone from the Houston Rockets. Added to Erving’s masterful all-around game and a solid supporting cast of Cheeks, Toney and Jones, Malone’s dominant inside presence gave renewed promise that Philadelphia would finally be able to get past the Celtics and Lakers. The Sixers lived up to their promise. After winning 65 regular season games, they stormed through the playoffs, first sweeping the New York Knicks, and then beating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. They proceeded to complete one of the most dominating playoff runs in league history with a four game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, who had defeated them the season before. It was the only title not to be won by either a Celtics or Lakers team between 1980 and 1988.
Julius Erving, the heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers, cut down this net at the conclusion of Game Four of the 1983 NBA Finals. The shows obvious game wear, but also some soiling and staining that suggests it may have been in the midst of some post-game celebrating as well. The net has been kept by Dr. J for more than a quarter century as a symbol of the one and only championship season of his NBA career.
Includes a signed LOA from Julius Erving.