2019 Winter Auction Closing March 2
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2019
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continued to dominate the NBA in his fifth season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1973-74. Already an NBA champion, Abdul-Jabbar averaged an incredible 27 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as the Bucks charged to a 59-23 regular season record and the Midwest Division title. 1973-74 was the first season where blocks and steals were recorded as statistics, and Kareem contributed 3.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game for a Bucks defense that ranked second in the NBA in defensive rating. Abdul-Jabbar nearly led the Bucks to their second NBA title in four seasons, sweeping aside the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to open the playoffs before winning four straight games against the Chicago Bulls to reach the Finals. Despite Abdul-Jabbar leading all players in points (32.6) and rebounds (12.1) per game, Dave Cowens and the Celtics emerged victorious after a seven-game series. Abdul-Jabbar earned a litany of awards in 1973-74, including the NBA MVP award and the Sporting News Player of the Year trophy.
Offered here is Kareem’s The Sporting News Player of the Year plaque from the 1973-74 NBA season. This stunning plaque measures 15 x 12.25 inches. A high-relief portrait of Abdul-Jabbar occupies the center of this award. A plaque above Kareem’s portrait reads “The Sporting News 1973-74 NBA Player of the Year” while a plaque below the portrait reads “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Milwaukee Bucks / For consistent superlative performance, on both offense and defense, in leading his team to the most regular season victories, and by a vote of his fellow players in the league, The Sporting News names Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the 1973-74 National Basketball Association Player of the Year”. This plaque is in good condition, with only minor wear around the edges. This historically significant award derives directly from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a personally hand-signed LOA from Kareem will accompany this item.