This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2012.
Mark Landsberger was traded by the Chicago Bulls to the Los Angeles Lakers in the middle of the 1979-80 season. Landsberger, a terrific sixth man, averaged just over 8 points and 8 rebounds a game prior to the trade. On the “Showtime” Lakers his numbers took a slight dip playing behind future Hall of Famers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Magic Johnson but he is still referred to by some as one of the best offensive rebounders per minute to ever play the game. Landsberger and the Lakers squared off against “Dr. J” and the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 Finals. In Game 4, Dr. J’s signature “baseline move”, an incredible behind-the-board reverse layup, immortalized Mark Landsberger as Erving seemed to defy gravity on his way to the score. The back-and-forth series was highlighted by MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s performance up until an ankle injury in Game 5 would force him to miss the rest of the series. Rookie Magic Johnson led the Lakers to victory with 45 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. Landsberger’s 10 rebounds in Game 6 went largely unnoticed behind Magic Johnson’s thunderous performance. Johnson became the first rookie to win Finals MVP, the Lakers won their 8th Championship and Landsberger received the first of his two rings. This size 11.5, 14k gold player’s ring weighs 39 grams. The ring was sized slightly larger after Landsberger suffered a basketball-related injury to his ring finger. The top panel reads “NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS” surrounding a silver basketball with a .70-carat round-cut diamond in the center. The right panel reads “LANDSBERGER” above a casted image of the Lakers’ logo, the facade of the Los Angeles Forum and “123-107”, the final score of Game 6, in relief. The left panel reads “1980” in relief surrounding the casted image of the official NBA logo. The inside of the ring is stamped “BALFOUR 14K”. The ring is in NRMT condition and is accompanied by an e-signed LOA from Mark Landsberger.
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