This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
From 1951-61, Bill Sharman played shooting guard alongside Bob Cousy and helped lead the Boston Celtics to four NBA titles. Many still consider them one of the greatest backcourts ever. As a player, Sharman was the game’s first true marksmen, known for his high shooting percentages from the field and the foul line. He was an All-Star eight straight seasons (1953-60). From 1950-55, he even played minor league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. When his playing career came to an end, Sharman went right into coaching and promptly guided the Cleveland Pipers to the 1961-62 ABL title in his very first season on the sidelines. After two years as head coach of the San Francisco Warriors (post-Wilt), Sharman transitioned to the ABA where he coached the Los Angeles Stars franchise for three years. In his final season with the Stars (1970-71, their first after relocating to Utah), Sharman led his team to the ABA title. He then took over as head coach of the Lakers in 1971-72 delivered the proud franchise its first NBA championship in Los Angeles and its only title during the Chamberlain/West era.
This impressive 2009 NBA Championship 15K gold ring was issued to Bill Sharman. It consists of 148 round cut diamonds with a total carat weight of 2.75. The diamonds are set atop the 15-karat yellow and white gold bezel. The face has an elevated gold Lakers logo resting across the top of a Larry O’Brien trophy. Seven diamonds run up each side of the face, representing the 14 previous titles achieved by the Lakers. The 14 diamonds are separated at the top of the face by “2009 World” and bottom of the face by “Champions.” The left shank features a gold silhouette of the Los Angeles city skyline, the year “09” and the team’s season record “65-17" with Sharman's name at the top. The right shank lists each playoff series result, the roman numeral “XV” and the finals record “4-1” at the bottom. Stamping on the inside band is not present as it was either worn down from use or resized at some point to size 10. The ring presents in fabulous condition and weighs 72 grams. The original black presentation box is included with a specially engraved gold plaque on the front reading “2009 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS LOS ANGELES LAKERS Bill Sharman."
There are only four two-time inductees in the Naismith Hall of Fame as both player and coach, and Bill Sharman is one of them. He added five more rings as a Lakers executive (GM and Team President) in the 1980’s to become the first North American sports figure to win championships as a player, coach and executive. When you include his ABL and ABA titles, the man won more titles (12) than Bill Russell’s eleven. His immense impacts on the game of basketball include helping to design the three-point line and introducing the “morning shootaround” routine now adopted by every NBA team prior to games. Named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996, Sharman passed away in 2013. His ring displays light to moderate wear and comes with a letter of provenance from his wife.