Julius “Dr. J” Erving was the most dominant and influential player of his era an innovator and ambassador of the game whose scintillating style of play above the rim changed how basketball was played and facilitated the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The 6’7” forward was a wizard with the ball performing moves never before seen or attempted: midair spins cradling the ball punctuated by powerful dunks. His excellent mid-range game made him virtually impossible to defend. An All-Star each of his 16 professional seasons Erving won three championships four MVP awards and three scoring titles while playing for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets of the ABA (1971-76) and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA (1976-87).

After Erving announced his retirement in October of 1986 teams hosting the Sixers rolled out the red carpet for the Doctor's final visit. It played out like a farewell tour with arenas selling out around the NBA so fans could catch one last glimpse of his patented finger roll or baby cradle. Presented in this lot is the mother of all Dr. J game-worn sneakers to ever hit the market: the pair he wore for his final NBA game on May 3 1987. The Sixers lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first round Eastern Conference playoff series knocking the Doctor out of the postseason and into retirement. Erving went out with a strong performance by scoring 24 points with four rebounds three steals and two assists. Never before offered publicly these museum-worthy gems come with outstanding provenance from the family of late CBS Sports television executive Sandy Grossman who directed the network's NBA coverage from 1972-90.

The high-top Converse All-Star 'Dr. J' signature model shoes come in 76ers team colors. Made primarily of white leather the sneakers sport red rubber heel panels with white rubber midsoles and red rubber outsoles. "DR J" is stamped in blue on each outer ankle. The Converse logo is red outlined in blue. The Converse All-Star tag is sewn on the outer tongues. The interior size label is missing or has faded off. They appear to be his standard size 15. The original Converse insoles have been replaced by Erving's blue custom-fitted orthotic inserts. The original white laces are intact and all structural elements appear as-issued and problem-free save for some light dusting of the interior tongue material. Both shoes exhibit excellent game use with scuff marks and a few red paint transfers from other players. Erving has signed and inscribed the game date on the lower outside ankle area of each shoe in bold 9/10 black marker. The left is personalized "To Sandy Good Health My Friend - Julius 'Dr. J' Erving - May 3 1987". The right is personalized "To Dean Love & Peace - Julius 'Dr. J' Erving - May 3 1987."

Dean is Sandy Grossman's son who was fortunate enough to travel with his father and witness the greatest sporting events on earth from behind the scenes whether it be the NBA Finals the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl. Having covered the NBA All-Star Game as well as the Finals for 18 straight years Sandy developed great relationships with many players coaches and administrators. Dean even got to be a ball boy for the New Jersey Nets. "Between my father and I we spent time talking to players and being in the locker rooms after games where [we] would ask players if they would give us a pair of signed sneakers" said Dean Grossman. "In every case they did taking them off their feet and signing them in front of us. It became a hobby a unique collection with great memories and stories."

CBS covered the 76ers-Bucks playoff series in 1987 soSandy and Dean Grossman were in Milwaukee for Dr. J's final game on May 3 1987. Sandy had built a nice friendship with Julius from all the years spent covering his games and took his son into the Sixers locker room after the game. That's when Erving took off this historic pair of shoes signed them for Dean and handed them over. Just another kind gesture epitomizing the pure class The Doctor exhibited his entire career.

Considering their historical significance beautiful aesthetics and freshness to the hobby these special sneakers should set a new auction record for Dr. J shoes. In 2011 SCP Auctions sold Erving's final game jersey for $88826 as part of The Dr. J Collection. We cannot think of another Dr. J pair to surface in the hobby that even comes close to these. Whoever ends up with them can say they own the last shoes the great Julius Erving ever laced up for an NBA game. The included video at top shows the final minutes of the game including Erving's last field goal a high-arching three-pointer that hit nothing but nylon (4:43 mark).

Includes Letter of Provenance from Dean Grossman. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (autographs and inscriptions).