SCP Auctions November 19th, 2011 Auction
Fri, Oct 28, 2011 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Nov 20, 2011 02:39PM EST
Timed Auction
Lot 163
1974 BOSTON CELTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RING - ASSISTANT COACH JOHN KILLILEA
Sold for
$22,796.40
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
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| $5,000 | $500 |
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The Celtics opened the 1973-74 season by racing out to a 30-7 start. Boston finished 56-26 good enough for the best record in the Eastern conference. After downing Buffalo and an injured Knicks team in the playoffs the Celtics faced a Finals match up with Milwaukee. The Bucks were favored to beat the Boston Celtics in the 1974 NBA Finals thanks mostly to young Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who won his third MVP award that season. But you could never count the Celtics out when it came to the Finals. Boston grabbed a 3-2 lead in the series and had a chance to close it out but Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks rose to the occasion in an epic double-overtime victory in Game 6. The Celtics bounced back like champions for Game 7 in Milwaukee. They changed strategy and began double-teaming Abdul-Jabbar which freed Boston center Dave Cowens to concentrate more on offense. Cowens responded with 28 points and 14 rebounds and John Havlicek added 16 points while continuing to draw the Bucks' defensive attention. Soaked in pink champagne Havlicek grinned broadly in the Celtics locker room afterward and accepted the Finals MVP Award. This young team had finally lived up to his standards and Bill Russell's tradition. Meanwhile back in Boston they were making room in the Garden rafters for title banner No. 12.
In his capacity as a Celtics assistant coach John Killilea received this 1974 Celtics Championship ring. Representing the first Celtics Championship of the post-Russell era the 14k gold ring features Killilea's name on one of one shank bannered above the Celtics logo and the word Pride. On the opposite side is the NBA logo flanked by the year "1974". Around the perimeter of the face appears "N.B.A. WORLD CHAMPIONS" in raised lettering encompassing a diamond that sits in the center. Stamped inside the band is an ur remnant of the Balfour mark that has been nearly worn away. The ring presents beautifully with moderate evidence of wear. Killilea served as a Celtics assistant coach from 1971-77. His career also included stints as director of player personnel for the Houston Rockets and coaching duties with Milwaukee and New Jersey. Size: 9 1/4 weighs 42 grams.
Includes a letter of provenance from the Killilea estate.
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