This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2021.
The New Orleans Jazz were admitted as an expansion franchise into the NBA on June 7, 1974. Prior to their inaugural season (1974-75) in the team’s first major move, they traded with the Atlanta Hawks for star player Pete Maravich. He was already a legend in the city after playing locally at LSU and the team was desperate for an impact player. The Jazz gave up a bunch of picks for “Pistol”, including two first-round draft picks, three second-round picks, and one third-round pick over the next three years. They didn’t have much to lose in the deal as “The Pistol” had already enjoyed four outstanding years with Atlanta. They bargained right because being in New Orleans (1974-79) allowed him the opportunity to establish himself as one of the game’s most electrifying players. During that time, he earned one scoring title (1976-1977), two All NBA First Team selections, and two All NBA Second Team selections. Presented is Pete Maravich’s game-worn button snap down first year style (1974-75) warm-up jacket from his career in New Orleans. It originates directly from a team-source and epitomizes pro-basketball style in the 1970s. It is the rarest style ever seen and the only one known to exist. The warm-up was collected after the New Orleans Jazz moved and was stored by the team source. Inside the front right button path is the Sand-Knit manufacturer’s tag size “42” with washing instructions. Inside below the collar is an additional Sand-Knit tag reading “Designed & Tailored Exclusively for the NEW ORLEANS JAZZ”. Across the front tail reads the player number “44” and “”PISTOL”” both in purple tackle twill. Across the back reads “JAZZ” screened in purple, green and white. The primarily yellow jacket features two green pockets on both sides of the chest. An important note, 1975-76 was the last season they allowed nicknames on the jerseys. It stands to reason why we see the Pistol in quotes in the lower portion of this jacket. In ensuing seasons the Jazz replaced player first name/nicknames with the smaller version of the Jazz logo. The jacket does show staining throughout the front and back however it displays beautifully. This jacket is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and shows wear.