1979-80 Dave Cowens Game Worn Boston Celtics Jersey, MEARS A10....

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Sold on Feb 21, 2015 for:

$11,352.50 Bid Source: Internet bidder

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One of the last number "18" Celtics jerseys ever worn!

1979-80 Dave Cowens Game Worn Boston Celtics Jersey, MEARS A10. With the arrival of a rookie named Larry Bird, and a veteran named "Pistol Pete" Maravich, the Celtics authored one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history, improving from twenty-nine wins in 1978-79 to a dominating sixty-one to conquer the 1979-80 Atlantic Division. Though it was a new beginning for the fans at Boston Garden who had endured three years of unfamiliar failure, this transformative campaign was the last in Beantown for the future Hall of Famer who sported the presented green knit roadster.

Cowens would later be coaxed from his retirement for a single season of Milwaukee Bucks service, but his sole NBA association remains the Boston Celtics, who honored his decade at the center position with the retirement of his jersey in 1981. As such, the presented garment is one of the last number "18" jerseys ever to participate in Celtics action. It is also just the third Cowens gamer to appear on the hobby's major auction block this century.

The design is classic and simple, with stark white tackle twill announcing "Celtics 18" on the chest and "Cowens 18" on verso. White and green trim runs the perimeter of the neck and arm holes, with what appears to be some blood staining at left shoulder blade. Lower left front tail bears dual "Sand-Knit" tagging denoting Celtics exclusivity and size "46." MEARS characterizes game wear as light and consistent.

While the shadows of Bill Russell and Larry Bird loom large over Boston Celtics history, it could be argued that no Celtics player ever worked harder than this seven-time All-Star. Only four players in NBA history have ever led their teams in all five major statistical categories for a season: points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. Those players are Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Dave Cowens. LOA from MEARS, A10. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

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