Known as the “Supergames”, the defunct ABA and the NBA (who later merged some ABA teams into their fold) played two exhibition games in 1971 and 1972. Supergame II was played on Long Island’s (NY) Nassau Coliseum on May 25, 1972 – after both leagues finished their respective seasons. The NBA, as a league, were not on board with this game and did allow any of the “Supergames” to be played in their arenas. The NBA also had threatened to suspend and/or fine players for participating, but the NBA Players Association went ahead anyway. Because of the animosity between the leagues, the game had to be split in two halves with the ABA red, white and blue ball used for one half, the standard brown NBA model for the other. The three-point shots and a thirty-second shot clock were used in the ABA halves.

Offered here is Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson’s game used NBA jersey used during the Supergame II contest played on May 25th, 1972. Big O's gamer from the second ABA vs. NBA All-Star Game is a distinctively understated design that is an all-blue jersey with a red and white tackle twill number "1" on the chest and back, with "ROBERTSON” above the number on the back in white tackle twill. The blue knit jersey has the Gerry Cosby manufacturer’s tag and a “44” flag on the interior back collar. The jersey displays the expected wear for a single contest in which the legendary Milwaukee Bucks point guard put up 14 points in the NBA’s come-from-behind 106-104 nail biting victory over the scrappy ABA squad.

The ABA would ultimately be absorbed by the NBA, with some teams folding as a result. However, the NBA would slowly transform into the high-flying style of play that made the rogue ABA such a formidable competitor. As such, this garment worn by a member of both the Hall of Fame and the even more exclusive NBA 50 Greatest Players club serves as a key piece of basketball history in the evolution of the professional game. It's a legitimate keepsake for those basketball collectors with an eye toward the history of the sport.   This jersey originated from the personal collection of Larry Fleisher, Executive Director of the NBAPA while Robertson was serving as President. Fleisher organized the All-Star Game from which this jersey derives and a LOA from Larry’s son Marc Fleisher will accompany this unique and historical jersey. There is also a LOA from MEARS (313720) for the game use, who have given this jersey its highest grade of A10.

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