This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2015.
Widely regarded as the greatest player of his time, he is often considered to have been the main catalyst for the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Julius “Dr. J” Erving began his professional career in the American Basketball Association with the Virginia Squires and the New York Nets. A 6’7”, 210-pound small forward, he also played for 11 years with the Philadelphia 76ers, leading them to the NBA crown in 1983. During his 11-year NBA career, Erving was an All-Star each season, the league's Most Valuable Player in 1981 and a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team. He scored 30,026 points in his combined ABA and NBA career; only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan have scored more points in the history of professional basketball. In 1993, Erving was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Star team. On the front left tail of the mesh jersey is the “Sand-Knit” manufacturer’s tag with size “40”. Adjacent above is another “Sand-Knit” tag reading “Designed & Tailored Exclusively for the PHILADELPHIA 76ERS”. Adjacent to the left is a white strip tag with “2” LB” embroidered in black. On the right inseam is the “100% POLYESTER” tag with wash instructions. On the left chest is the official “NBA” logo embroidered in red, white and blue. Across the front reads “SIXERS”. Adjacent below and on back is the player number “6”. All are done in the same blue on red tackle twill. Across the back is the player name “ERVING” in blue tackle twill. Erving has signed the back of the jersey in black marker, in our opinion the large signature rates an 8. Below the inner rear waistband is the “Wilson” manufacturer’s tag with size “34”, wash instructions and an indecipherable flag tag. Adjacent to the left is a white strip tag reading “85 6” in blue chain-stitching. On the front right leg is the “76ers” logo in red and blue chain-stitch embroidery on white tackle twill. The front of the shorts have been signed by Erving in black marker with the added inscription “#6”, in our opinion the signature rates a strong 8. The uniform is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows appropriate use. Accompanied by a LOA from JSA and an additional LOA from the 76ers Equipment Manager, Jeff Millman, stating this jersey was worn during Erving’s final season.