This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2024
1986 Boston Garden Basketball Net from the Game Marking Larry Bird's last NBA Finals Appearance.
On June 8, 1986, the Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the NBA finals, 114-97, to win the franchise’s 16th NBA title. Playing in the old Boston Garden, the Celtics were led by Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, both of whom had 29 points, and Danny Ainge, who poured in 19. The Rockets, meanwhile, were led by the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon (19 points) and Rodney McCray (16). Featured here is one of the actual nets from the game, which happened to mark Bird and McHale’s last NBA Finals appearance.
The white nylon-and-polyester net stretches almost 18 inches in length and reflects wear and tear with masking tape holding together one of the strands and lots of fraying showing where the net was cut down from the carbon steel rim. This example is nicely mounted inside a wooden presentation frame that includes a green background and a letter of authenticity (dated June 9, 1998) from Lelands Auction House verifying that the net did indeed come from the 1986 NBA Finals played at the Boston Garden. Bird would go on to finish his career following the 1991-92 season, while McHale retired the year after. Both are now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Authentication: Lelands Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.