As his career was winding down, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's top-flight game was heating back up. As the starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar enjoyed no letdown in his game by securing five of his six NBA titles during his final decade: 1980, '82, '85, '87 and '88. A 20-year NBA veteran, he was a six-time winner of the NBA's MVP award and a 19-time NBA All-Star selection. But it was
his patented skyhook and lead-by-example play that carried the Lakers to NBA dominance during the 1980s when the team made it to eight NBA Finals and walked away with five Larry O'Brien Championship trophies. By the time he decided to hang up his uniform, Abdul-Jabbar was also the NBA's all-time scoring leader with 38,387 points to his name.
Offered here is an early 1980's (circa 1980-85 according to MEARS) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Los Angeles Lakers game-worn road jersey with outstanding provenance from a long-time celebrity agent.
Constructed of road purple mesh, the prized jersey reads "Lakers" across the front in yellow on white tackle twill as well as Abdul-Jabbar's trademark uniform number "33" in white on yellow tackle twill. The front center tail boasts the proper "Tiernan" manufacturer's label that populated Lakers jerseys during this time, which means this particular jersey could link to one or more of the team's three NBA titles from 1985 to '88. The back of the jersey reads "ABDUL-JABBAR" in semi-circular fashion across the shoulders in yellow on white tackle twill, with his number "33" positioned below it reverse tackle twill colors. All numbering and lettering are sewn directly onto the purple mesh jersey, which shows substantial game use with noticeable puckering common to sweaty wear. Fraying of the letters and numbers on the jersey is also prominent. Worn by the greatest scorer in NBA history, this lot represents a must-have for any serious Lakers collector!
Letter from MEARS with perfect A10 grade.
Provenance: This lot originates from a gentleman who has enjoyed a
long and successful career in Hollywood as an agent for many well-known
athletes and entertainers. His professional and personal network enabled
him to amass a significant collection of memorabilia, nearly all of
which was given to him directly from the athletes and entertainers
themselves. All of these items are being introduced to the marketplace
here for the first time. While our consignor remains anonymous, SCP
Auctions will issue an LOA for each game used item attesting to its
player-direct provenance.