Auction Item Details
Lot 192
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Lot Number: 192
Description: Significant 1964-65 Bill Russell NBA Most Valuable Player Award (Final of Russell's Five Career MVP Awards)(NBA Championship Season). Original trophy as presented to Russell for his fifth and final MVP Award selection after the 1964-65 season. Very handsome walnut wooden trophy with large silverplated basketball finial positioned at top. Two inscribed silverplated placards reading, "The Podoloff Trophy Awarded to Bill Russell As The Most Valuable Player During The Season 1964-65 Chosen By The Players Of The National Basketball Association In A Poll Conducted by N.E.A. Service" and "Presented at East-West All-Star Game Cincinnati January 11, 1966". The trophy presents in absolutely superlative original condition free of any notable wear with desirable light patination. During the season in which Russell captured his fifth and final NBA MVP award, the Celtics cruised to a 62 win regular season to face their rival Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs who had recently acquired Wilt Chamberlain. The series went seven games and ended with the iconic steal by John Havlicek on an inbound pass immortalized by Johnny Most who belted out "Havlicek stole the ball! It's all over!". Russell and the Celtics would then cruise to a 4-1 NBA Finals victory once again over the Los Angeles Lakers. The trophy was presented to Bill Russell at the NBA All-Star Game held in Cincinnati the following season as was customary during the period. Along with the other Bill Russell NBA MVP trophies within this auction, the offered example is among the most significant of any player related basketball awards to have been offered at public auction. Includes signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($100,000-$300,000)
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