SCP Auctions, Inc.
Timed Auction

SCP Auctions November 19th, 2011 Auction

Fri, Oct 28, 2011 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Nov 20, 2011 02:39PM EST
Lot 87

JULIUS "DR. J" ERVING'S 1983 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RING

Sold for
$244,239.60
Sold Price includes BP

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $20,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
When Julius Erving came to Philadelphia prior to the 1976-77 season championship expectations abound in the City of Brotherly Love. While Philly did make three trips to the NBA Finals in Dr. J's first six years with the team the title continued to elude them. The final piece of the Philadelphia 76ers' championship puzzle was completed before the 1982-83 season when they acquired center Moses Malone from the Houston Rockets. Added to Ervings masterful all-around game and a solid supporting cast of Cheeks Toney and Jones Malones dominant inside presence gave renewed promise that Philadelphia would finally be able to get past the Celtics and Lakers. The Sixers lived up to their promise. After winning 65 regular season games they stormed through the playoffs first sweeping the New York Knicks and then beating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. They proceeded to complete one of the most dominating playoff runs in league history with a four game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers who had defeated them the season before. Prior to the start of the playoffs Moses Malone famously promised fans "Fo' fo' fo" (as in "four four four" - four wins to sweep round 1 four wins to sweep round 2 etc.) but it actually wound up as "Fo' fi' fo." (four five four). With 59 seconds to go in Game 4 of the Finals it was Erving who made a three-point play to hold the lead for good crushing the Lakers to capture the championship. It was the only title not to be won by either a Celtics or Lakers team between 1980 and 1988.

Julius Erving the heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers received this 1983 NBA Championship ring symbolizing the one and only championship season of his NBA career. The ring features Erving's name on one shank bannered above Malones famed "Fo Five Fo" prediction atop a rendering of the liberty bell and the word Persevere at bottom. On the opposite side is the NBA logo flanked by the year "1983". Around the perimeter of the face appears "N.B.A. WORLD CHAMPIONS" in raised lettering encompassing a diamond that sits in the center of a red back stone. Stamped inside the band is Balfour 14k. The ring presents beautifully with moderate evidence of having been proudly worn by one of the games greatest legends. We are unaware of any other basketball championship ring of equal importance that has reached the marketplace. Furthermore with regard to the stature of Dr. J amongst sports greatest living legends and his immeasurable contributions to his sport we believe this to be among the most valuable rings ever made available to the public from any sport. Size: 12.

Includes a signed LOA from Julius Erving.

Payment for your invoice must clear in full prior to shipping. All items will be shipped from SCP Auctions’ Laguna Niguel, CA office in the order that payments are received. Please allow up to three business days following clearance of payment for items to ship. All items will be shipped UPS/FedEx Ground unless you contact us to discuss an alternative shipping method. If you would like your items shipped in a different method, such as UPS/FedEx Next Day or UPSFedEx 2-Day, you must contact our Post Sale Services Manager Veronica Rodriguez by emailing customerservice@scpauctions.com to discuss alternative shipping instructions. Prior to bidding, please be aware of estimated shipping costs, especially for large or heavy lots. You may contact SCP Auctions for any shipping estimates lots you are bidding on or interested in bidding on. If you intend to pick up your items in person at the SCP Auctions office, please call us to schedule. Payment must clear prior to items being available for pick-up.