This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2011.
The 1954-55 Syracuse Nationals were a team of history, and one that basketball enthusiasts should know and love. Their team featured the first African American to play in the in the NBA Earl Loyd, who was also the first to start for a championship team that year. Their owner Danny Biasone is mostly known for strongly advocating the use of the 24 second shot clock which went into affect their championship year, and proved to help the Nats in more ways than one. The Nats were a run and gun style team, always hustling. In the seventh and final game of the series, the Nats were down big at half time and ended up rallying with George King sinking a free throw in the final seconds to advance the Nats to a 92-91 lead. King stole the inbounds pass on the very next play to seal the deal. Much credit is due to the new shot clock as if it were not in play, the Fort Wayne Pistons could have stalled and sat on their lead. At this time, the NBA was not yet so prosperous as it is today and players did not receive Championship Rings. Instead, the 1955 Syracuse Nationals World Champion team received this very “Ice Bucket Trophy”. Referenced Moonfixer the Basketball Journey of Early Loyd on page 95 “We had a party afterward, I think at Danny’s bowling alley, but it wasn’t like it is today. We didn’t even get rings. They gave us an ice bucket.” The award measures 10” at its widest, and 12” at its tallest. Etched into the front is “PRESENTED TO GEORGE KING WORLD CHAMPIONS SYRACUSE NATIONALS 1954-55 BY THE STOCKHOLDERS”. On each side of the “bucket” is a golden lion with rings through its mouth for transport. The top of the “bucket” features a 6” golden basketball figure with ball in hand. Stamped into the bottom is “A RAY E. DODGE PRODUCT”. This lot is accompanied by; a Syracuse Sports Magazine cover featuring George King, 1954-555 Syracuse Nats Reunion Dinner guide (EX condition), a black and white photo of the team celebrating framed to measure 12” x 10”, an autographed 4” x 6” black and white of Early Loyd, and a copy of his book Moonfixer which is signed and inscribed inside front cover. The “Ice Bucket” is in VG-EX condition overall. Item will be expensive to ship due to size and fragility.