Lot 365. Larry Bird Signed “Sports Illustrated” Previewing the 1979 NCAA Final Four. Led by Bird, the Indiana State basketball team completed an unbeaten regular season and then navigated its way through the NCAA tournament to face Michigan State for the championship. With Magic Johnson at point guard, the Spartans captured the NCAA title, 75-64. The game marked the beginning of the Bird-Johnson rivalry that prevailed throughout their Hall of Fame NBA careers. Bird ranks among the NBA’s all-time 10 best. In selecting the top 100 athletes of the 20th century, ESPN rated only five basketball players higher than Bird, who landed at the 30th spot on the overall list. With the Boston Celtics, he won three championships and three MVP awards. He earned 1980 Rookie of the Year honors, and he was an All-Star in 12 of his 13 seasons. Bird successfully made the transition from player coach, and in 1998, he was the NBA Coach of the Year. His signature is a large, bold gem mint 10 on the March 26, 1979 “SI,” which ex with a label. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $100.
Lot 366. Magic Johnson Autographed June 4, 1984 “Sports Illustrated.” The cover of the issue promotes the Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry in the NBA Finals. Bird and the Celtics defeated Johnson and the Lakers in the championship series, but during his tenure in LA, Johnson earned five championships and three NBA MVP awards. He landed at #17 on ESPN’s list of the best 20th century athletes. Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain were the only basketball players to rank higher. Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. His signature is gem mint 10 on an ex-m “SI” issue. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $100.
Lot 367. “Sports Illustrated” Signed by 1985 “Sportsman of the Year” Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Gem mint 10 “Abdul Jabbar” signature on the cover of the Dec. 23-30 double issue. The label has been removed; otherwise, the issue is ex-m+. Jabbar entered the Hall of Fame in 1995 following a career that included six NBA championships and MVP awards, 19 All-Star games, three NCAA championships and selection three times as the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He was the NBA’s 1970 Rookie of the Year. He retired with 38,387 points and 17,440 rebounds. Karl Malone, who is next on the all-time scoring list, ended his career with 1,459 fewer points. His nearest competitors among active players still need about 9,000 points to catch him. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $75.
