April 2, 2015: Sports & Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2015
Super John Williamson landed with the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association as a free agent for the 1973-74 season. Williamson quickly entered the New York starting lineup despite being a rookie. After Williamson became a starter, the team's fortunes quickly turned for the better and the team ended up winning the ABA Championship that season. Williamson was named to the 1974 ABA All-Rookie team. Williamson's jersey number (23) was retired by the New York/New Jersey Nets franchise on December 7, 1990; Williamson is one of four players who were with the Nets during their ABA days with a retired number; the other three include Wendell Ladner, Bill Melchionni, and Julius Erving. Williamson still holds Nets team records in various categories, including most free throw attempts in a game, with 24 (since tied by Vince Carter and Devin Harris). At the age of 45, Williamson died of kidney failure related to diabetes on November 30, 1996.
Julius Erving could jump, run, shoot, score, dunk, play defense, rebound, and fill arena seats everywhere he played. "Dr. J's" game of in-your-face hoops appealed to everyone and he made the game cool to play and to watch. During his sixteen scintillating seasons in both the ABA and NBA, Erving redefined the forward position. Flamboyant and artistic -- opponents knew where Dr. J was zooming, but few could stop his offensive assault. Playing above the rim, Erving popularized being airborne. His style and grace both on and off the court led many to call him an American treasure. A two-time ABA MVP, Erving led the New York Nets to two ABA championships. In 1976, Erving moved to the NBA and became a Philadelphia 76er. In 1983, he led the 76ers to the NBA championship. His unique athleticism coupled with his star power made Dr. J a household name worldwide. We offer a very rare signed and personalized 8x10 photo.
The 1975-76 ABA (American Basketball Association) would be the last season before 4 teams merged with the NBA and the rest folded. In August of 1975, the Memphis Sounds franchise folded and was sold to a Baltimore group that would become the newest member of the ABA; aptly named, the Baltimore Claws (an ode to the Maryland Crab). Because of severe financial difficulties, the team folded after playing only a handful of exhibition games. However, due to many of the ABA teams running on shoe-string budgets themselves, the teams had already printed up the tickets for the season. Offered is a ticket stub from McNichols Arena in Denver for November 8, 1975 (Nuggets vs. Baltimore Claws). The New York Nets would replace the Claws as Denver’s opponent (hence the ticket was still put to good use). The Nuggets would win 128-121. Issel would score 26 points with 16 rebounds. Julius Erving was the high scorer with 35 points. Ralph Simpson put up 25 points with David Thompson hitting 24 respectively for the Nuggets. Brian Taylor had 23 and Super John Williamson had 20 behind Dr. J for the Nets. The ticket grades EX-NR MT and measures 1.5” x 3.”
Julius Erving & Super John Williamson Signed 8x10 Photo with Ticket Stub from ABA Game (1975)
Click above for larger image.