Spring 2019 Premium Auction Closing May 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/12/2019
In their second championship of a three-peat dynasty to start the new millennium, the Lakers electrified the NBA with 56 regular-season wins and an unprecedented 15-1 playoff run—featuring sweeps over the Blazers, Kings and Spurs, capped off by a 4-1 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers. That memorable NBA Finals saw Kobe Bryant averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists. A few weeks earlier, after consecutive 45-plus-point performances, Bryant famously garnered glowing praise from his teammate (and future adversary) Shaquille O’Neal: "I told Kobe that he was my idol. I'm serious. He's playing phenomenal. I think he's the best player in the league, by far."
No doubt, Bryant's then father-in-law Stephen Laine agreed. Laine, who was married to Vanessa Laine Bryant's mother from 1990-2003, enjoyed a close relationship with Kobe, as evidenced by the intimate nickname seen here: "PAPA STEVE." The Black Mamba himself presented this Back-to-Back Championship ring to Laine, who later sold it to a collector. The glittering Near Mint showpiece is composed of 14-karat gold and carries 65 diamonds totaling over 1.60 carats—39 genuine yellow diamonds (.56 carat), 22 full-cut white diamonds (.27 carat), 2 brilliant-cut diamonds (.50 carat) and two white diamonds (.30 carat). Designs include "WORLD CHAMPIONS / LAKERS," the Lakers and NBA logos, "BACK 2 BACK 2001," "15-1," and "56-26." Imprinted inside the size-10 ¼ band is "14K."
Accompanying the ring are its luxurious original presentation box, a 2006 auction purchase LOA, and a 2004 appraisal letter by Henry Kay Jewelers/Masters of Design (and addressed to Steve Laine), which states that the intrinsic value of the gold, diamonds and workmanship alone here amounts to $8,500—to say nothing of the inherent significance of its legendary benefactor. Indeed, the most accurate point of reference on current value is Kobe's father Joe Bryant's 2000 Lakers championship ring—which was manufactured to the exact same top-quality standards offered here and sold for $173,102 in 2013.