This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2020
Arguably, this shirt was worn by “Larry Legend” during Larry Bird’s finest season. The team finished with a record of 62-20, first in the Atlantic Division. Bird was named MVP of the 1983–84 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year before to the Bucks, winning in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In Game Four, the Lakers—led by Bird's college rival Magic Johnson—were on the verge of taking a commanding 3-1 series lead before a flagrant foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure.[42] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Style: Shirt is the white cheesecloth pull over with green/white/green ribbed neck and arm openings. “CELTICS”, and “33” (front and back) is sewn on front and back in green lettering. “BIRD” appears in matching green font.
The manufacturing tagging (Sand Knit) dates to 1982-1984 era. Shirt is tagged size 46 and measurement of the actual shirt supports that size identifier. Size 46 is also consistent with what Bird wore during the mid 1980s.
Shirt shows moderate wear which is consistent with the degree from shirts of that era.
This shirt, worn during the 1984 Championship season, was originated from the collection of Grant Allen Gray. Mr. Gray was a retired security officer for the Celtics where he also served with the Boston Garden Special Police Force. A signed letter from Grant Gray stating this shirt is from the 1983-1984 season accompanies this lot.
Worn during the 1983-1984 season, this was the shirt Bird wore which capped off a 1984 NBA Finals, 1984 Finals MVP, and 1984 regualar season MVP. This is the first and only 1984 Larry Bird game worn shirt with direct provenance examined by MEARS.
Shirt grades a perfect MEARS A10. LOA Troy R. Kinunen, Grant Gray.
(41Q0173)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS