This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2011.
The Harlem Globetrotters offered Lew Alcindor one million dollars to play for them, but he declined, and was picked first in the 1969 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (who were in only their second season of existence.) The Bucks won a coin-toss with the Phoenix Suns for first pick. He was also chosen first overall in the 1969 ABA draft by the NY Nets. The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in securing Alcindor's services because he was from New York; however, when Alcindor told both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept one offer only from each team, the Nets bid too low. Alcindor was an instant star, ranking second in the league in scoring and third in rebounding for which he was awarded the title of NBA Rookie of the Year. The next season Alcindor was awarded his first of six NBA Most Valuable Player Awards along with his first scoring title. In the playoffs, the Bucks went 12–2 (including a four-game sweep of the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA Finals), won the championship, and Alcindor was named Finals MVP. On May 1, 1971, the day after the Bucks won the NBA championship, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. On the left front tail of this green road mesh jersey are the “Sand-Knit” triple tags: one with wash instructions and jersey size “44”, one with “Designed & Tailored Exclusively for the Milwaukee Bucks” and the “Milwaukee Sporting Goods” distributor’s tag. Across the front is “Milwaukee” done in script style writing. Player number “33” appears on front. These numbers and letters are done in red sublimated vinyl on white vinyl. Player number “33” also appears on back along with player name “ABDUL-JABBAR”. These numbers are letters are done in red vinyl on white vinyl. This experimental vinyl was used for a short time. The jersey shows good game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind.