Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction December 2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2022
Moving to the brand-new Palace of Auburn Hills before the start of the 1988-89 season, the Detroit Pistons won their first eight games of the season and held a 31–13 record at the All-Star break. The Pistons posted a nine-game winning streak in March, won eight consecutive games between March and April, then won their final five games, finishing with a league best record of 63–19. In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pistons swept the Boston Celtics in three straight games, then swept the 5th-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in four straight games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they trailed 2–1 to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, but managed to win the series in six games to advance to the NBA Finals, where the Pistons would win their first ever NBA championship, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games.
The 1988-89 Detroit Pistons were one of the most despised sports teams in the history of any sport. However, this is partly what made them so great. In 1988-89, nobody wanted to play the Pistons. They prided themselves on defense and getting stops no matter the cost. This team was the definition of the saying “defense wins championships”. Their roster was filled with star players and future Hall of Famers. Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas, two guards on their roster, are both Hall of Famers and were named to the top fifty players of all-time. To add to this dynamic duo, the Pistons brought in star rookie Mark Aguirre, who would go on to play fourteen NBA seasons, averaging twenty points a game. On top of this, they added Dennis Rodman, one of the best defensive player to ever play the game. The "Bad Boys" supporting cast included Vinnie Johnson, Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, James Edward, John Long and others who were all part of the combination of high-end talent, depth and unselfishness which brought Detroit's first NBA championship title home.
This 14K gold and diamond ring was presented to John Long for his status with the Detroit Pistons as a 1989 NBA champion. "Detroit Pistons 1989 World Champions" is spelled out in raised gold on the bezel, this lettering encloses a stylized basketball on a blue and red enamel background. The bezel-set basketball is set with a diamond while the basket is set with seven small diamonds. The right shank displays the score of the NBA Finals "Det. 4 L.A. 0" on each side of the team's logo with "Bad Boys" above and an image of the Palace of Auburn Hills below with "Defence" underneath it. The left shank displays the NBA logo in the middle with the Pistons' regular season record "63 19" gracing its sides with "Long" above and the Pistons' "Playoffs 15-2" record below. The size 12 ring has an approximate weight of 39 grams and has the manufacturer's name “Jostens 14K” stamped on the inner band which also displays Long's engraved name and number. The ring exhibits fine scuffing/fine scratches and has a few noticeable small dents, none of which affecting the eye appeal of the championship ring which displays very nicely. A detailed gemological report will accompany. This Bad Boys ring is looking for a new home, will it be yours?
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