Presented here is an Official NBA Commissioner David J. Stern basketball signed by 14 members of the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers. After suffering a defeat by the San Antonio Spurs during the 2002-03 Western Conference Semifinals, Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to a record of 56-26, finishing first in the Pacific Division. The Lakers would return to the NBA Finals for the fourth time in five years. The Lakers would face off against the Detroit Pistons for their third Finals meeting. The underdog Pistons combined strong defense and teamwork to propel them past the Lakers for their third NBA title in franchise history, with the star-studded Lakers falling in five games. Phil Jackson was fired after the season, and O’Neal would request a trade, thus ending the dynasty that dominated the NBA from 1999 to 2004.

This presented Official All-Court NBA leather basketball features “SPALDING” stamped on two of the brown leather panels. “Official All-Court Ball” and “NBA” appear imprinted above the facsimile signature of former NBA Commissioner David J. Stern. 15 signatures signed in various colors of ink appear on this ball, with key a signature from Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Karl Malone. Other signatures included on this ball are from assistant coach Tex Winter, Byron Russell, Rick Fox, Slava Medvedenko, Devean George, Ime Udoka, Jamal Sampson, and Luke Walton. The signatures are bold, and the ball contains a slight tear of the leather on the left side and faint white stains across one of the “SPALDING” imprinted panels. The Spalding basketball signed by the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication for the signatures.