This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
In June 1970, the Utah Stars were sold to Colorado cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels, who moved the team to Salt Lake City as the Utah Stars. Merv “The Magician” suited up for the team and the Stars finished second in the Western Division with the franchise’s best record yet, 57 wins and 27 losses. The Stars defeated the Texas Chaparrals 4 games to none in the first round of the playoffs, beat the Indiana Pacers 4 games to 3 in a fiercely contested semifinal series, and edged out the Kentucky Colonels 4 games to 3 in another fiercely contested series, winning the 1970-71 ABA championship. During their Championship playoff run in 1971, Merv Jackson increased his regular season ppg totals from 13.9 to 15.2 ppg and 6.1 assists per game and played 13% (33.2 mpg) more minutes per game in the playoffs. He ran Coach Sharman's offense and Sharman called him his best defensive Guard and he always had to guard the opposing teams' highest scorer. He sacrificed some of his scoring ability to do this. Merv was always known as a money player and was selected to take many last second shots and delivered on most of them in those clutch moments. This ring comes to us from the personal collection of Merv Jackson. As he told the story to us, his original Championship ring that the team presented to him was stolen from his house. He contacted the Stars and team owner Bill Daniels to inquire as to the manufacturer of the ring to have a duplicate made. He was shortly thereafter sent in the mail the personal Championship ring of Team Owner and GM, Bill Daniels. This is that very Championship ring given to The Magician by Daniels. This size 7-1/2 ring is cast in yellow gold. On the top is an enameled Utah Stars logo with large round genuine diamond and "ABA Champions" in relief. On the right shank is an engraved raised banner with the name "DANIELS" along with a raised ABA logo and basketball with “OWNER” surrounded by five stars. On the left shank a raised Utah Stars logo with arena rendition and "Salt Palace 1971." Inside the rings is stamped "Balfour 10K" engraved. The ring had to be re-sized for Merv as it was too big for him and two small stoppers have been added inside the ring. It is in EX-MT with light to moderate wear and is accompanied by a hand-signed LOA from Merv Jackson detailing the storied history of this ring. It is only the second original ring from the Stars ever to come up for sale.