This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/9/2007.
Established in 1967, the New York Nets (New Jersey Americans in their first season) were a charter franchise of the old American Basketball Association. Although they reached the 1972 Finals after acquiring HOFer Rick Barry two years prior, they lost in six games to the Pacers and Barry departed. The next year, they won a dismal 30 games. With the key acquisition of future HOFer Julius Erving in the 1973 offseason, the 1973-1974 season saw the Nets finally put all the pieces together. They ended the year with a franchise record 55 victories. After Erving was voted the ABA's MVP, the Nets advanced in the playoffs and won their first title, defeating the Utah Stars in the 1974 ABA Finals. The Nets continued their winning ways in the 1975-1976 season, the final season for the ABA, with Erving leading them to a another successful 55-win season; he also was named MVP again that year. After a grueling series with the Denver Nuggets, the Nets won the last ABA championship series in league history in six games, giving the Nets their second championship in three years. We were told of the existence of a 1974 trophy. This trophy is apparently from 1976. However, neither trophy is dated. This trophy is on a polygonal wood base measuring 13" x 17" with a "2" x 7" plaque on the front that reads "NY Nets." On the four corners are four 5" basketball players going for a lay-up. Atop the base is an 8" diameter 3-1/2" tall wood cylinder, atop which is a 12" diameter 6" high silver bowl with "A.B.A. Championship Award" and a rendition of an ABA Official Basketball (DeBusschere) engraved. In overall EXMT condition with some scrapes and dings on the base, light tarnishing on the bowl. It originally came from the collection of former player John Williamson. With our knowledge that this trophy was apparently from 1976, the importance is staggering that this was indeed the final ABA Championship trophy ever awarded. Wow! This trophy will be expensive to ship.