Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
When the Julius Erving auction took place in 2011, one key item was not present in the collection. That was his NBA All Star ring from the 1987 NBA All Star game, which was the final All Star game Erving would appear, and the final season of his incredible pro basketball career. Dr. J excelled in that game, scoring 22 points on 9-13 shooting.
This is the very ring Dr. J was given to commemorate the honor of playing the 1987 NBA All-Star Game. The impressive palladium ring’s face declares “NBA” and “ALL-STAR” around a vivid blue stone upon which a basketball design has been inlaid. The side has “ERVING” engraved on a nameplate above the colorful enameled NBA logo which is surrounded by laurels. The opposite shank contains the year “1987” in raised numbers above that year’s distinctive All-Star Game logo. Below is the host city 'Seattle' next to the NBA Logo.
Robert "Chopper" Travaligini was the trainer for the Virginia Squires. Erving had developed a very close friendship to Chopper after he was signed by the team in 1971. Both remained very close friends as their careers sent them to different teams in the mid 1970s. As a gesture of their friendship, after he played his final All Star Game, Erving decided to give Chopper the ring from that 1987 All Star game. Erving had the ring specially engraved on the inside "From Dr. J 3-20-87 To Chopper the last one".
The 1987 NBA All Star game was the 16th (all consecutive) and final All Star game of Dr. J's career. The ring represents the final award/ring he was given as an active player. Comes with LOA from our consignor, who was the family attorney and friend of the Travaligini family.