The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off a disappointing 1986 playoffs, losing in the Western Conference Finals to the Houston Rockets, after winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1985. Despite entering the season at 39-years of age, Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still a dominant fixture at center for the Lakers. Along with fellow Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Kareem and his 17.5 points per game led the Lakers to a 65-17 record and a second consecutive NBA Finals victory over the Boston Celtics, whom they knocked off in 1985.

Obtained directly from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, this offered road Lakers purple jersey was worn by Kareem during the 1986-87 season. The Sand-Knit purple mesh jersey was manufactured by MacGregor and is a size 44. “LAKERS” and Kareem’s number “33” are sewn on in white and yellow tackle twill on the front with several tags sewn on the bottom front left tail – including an “86” patch, two “Sand-Knit” tags, with one reading “Designed & Tailored Exclusively for the Los Angeles Lakers” and the other with “44”, and a “ 4”LB” patch. The NBA logo patch is sewn on the upper left chest. The neck and open arms are lined with a white/yellow/white pattern in a ribbed material and the back of the jersey has “ABDUL-JABBAR” and “33” sewn on in white and yellow tackle twill. The jersey displays moderate game use and Kareem has signed his name in black marker on the yellow portion of the left “3” on the front of this jersey. This item comes directly from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a personally hand-signed LOA from Kareem accompanies this item.

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