Expectations were high in the City of Brotherly Love when ABA legend Julius Erving first put on a 76ers uniform in the fall of 1976, Three trips to the NBA Finals in his first six years yielded zero titles, however, leaving the notoriously brutal Philly fan base at wits’ end. Before the 1982-83 season, the 76ers acquired star center Moses Malone from the Rockets, giving Dr. J and his solid supporting cast – Mo Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Bobby Jones and sixth man Clint Richardson – a dominant inside presence. After winning 65 games in the regular season, the Sixers stormed through the playoffs, first sweeping the Knicks and then taking out the Bucks in five games to win the East. They went on to sweep the Lakers in The Finals to complete one of the most dominating post-season runs in history.
Prior to the playoffs, Moses Malone famously guaranteed "Fo', fo', fo" (as in, three four-game sweeps to win the title). The Sixers came oh-so close, instead going "Fo', five', fo” and becoming the only NBA Champion other than the Celtics or Lakers from 1980 to 1988. It was their third title as a franchise, their second in Philly and the last time they have hoisted the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy.
6’ 3” shooting guard Clint Richardson averaged 7.6 points along with three rebounds and two assists in his 23 minutes per game during the regular season. The first man off the bench, he often took on the most difficult defensive assignments. And after helping hold Magic Johnson to 40% shooting in The Finals, he certainly earned this offered 1983 World Championship 14-karat gold ring. The shiny face features a .40 carat, 65-point round-cut diamond atop a red stone surrounded by "N.B.A. WORLD CHAMPIONS" in raised lettering. One shank has the NBA logo perched between "1983" and "DEFENSE." The other side spells out "RICHARDSON" at the top, "FO’ FIVE FO’ 65-17", the Liberty Bell with the 76ers logo and “PERSEVERE” on the bottom. Stamped inside the band is “Balfour 14k”. The size 11.5 ring shows light wear, presents beautifully, and comes with an LOA from Clint Richardson.
This is just the third ’83 Sixers player ring to come up for auction; we originally sold it for $57,175 in 2012. We also sold Dr. J’s for $244,239 in 2011. Bobby Jones’ ring, sold by a different auction house, went for $72K in 2011. Needless to say, the opportunity to acquire a ring of this caliber does not come around often.