This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
The Los Angeles Lakers recorded a rare trifecta in 2002 when they won their third consecutive NBA title by defeating the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets in four straight games. Though the team was now coached by Phil Jackson, former head coach Pat Riley’s patented “Three-Peat” verbiage was alive and well. As part of the Lakers celebration for recording the miraculous feat, the team and namely the team’s Executive Vice President of Business, Jeanie Buss, presented a 2002 L.A. Lakers NBA Championship 14K gold ring to former Lakers center George “Mr. Basketball” Mikan. In a type-written letter to Mikan dated Dec. 4, 2002, Buss wrote: “Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation for your participation in our tribute ceremonies on April 11, 2002. Also, we would like to extend many thanks for being such an important part of our great Lakers history.” The 6’ 10” Mikan led the then-Minneapolis Lakers to five league championship between 1949 and 1954. He also led the league in scoring three different times and thus earned the nickname “Mr. Basketball.”
The 2002 Los Angeles Lakers World Champions ring sports a triangle theme on its face commemorating the team’s back-to-back-to-back trip to basketball’s driver’s seat, with a stunning amethyst stone in the center bordered by the word "Back" on all three sides. A total of 14 brilliant cut diamonds adorn the bezel, where raised lettering reads: “Lakers World Champions." Sixty-one yellow diamonds are set in the ring face, as are three larger triangular cut diamonds that represent each of the three consecutive league championships. "MIKAN" stands in raised lettering upon the left shank, and below that the design makes note of the team's regular season record (58-24) as well as its playoffs mark (15-4) bordering the official NBA logo. The right shank shows the team’s logo, the year “2002," and a tribute to the team’s longtime broadcaster Chick Hearn with the phrase “Slam Dunk.” Hearn’s last game at the mike for the Lakers was their title clinching 113-107 Game 4 win over the Nets on June 12, 2002. The interior band is stamped “14K" and it measures to size 11.5.
The ring comes housed inside its original
cherry wood presentation case with an engraved gold plaque on the lid attributing it to Mikan: “2002 WORLD CHAMPIONS LOS ANGELES LAKERS George Mikan.” It shows minor wear.
Includes LOA from Mikan's son as well as a pair of LOA's from Jeanie Buss, who served as the team’s Executive Vice President of Business at that time.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.