Dr_j
The state of NBA basketball in Philadelphia becomes sadder and sadder with each passing day. 

There’s the lockout. The fading memory of Allen Iverson, who not surprisingly bottomed out unceremoniously. And now, the one final image of NBA success, Dr. J flying through the air on countless occasions, will be stained with the knowledge that Julius Erving is auctioning off his most prized possessions, including his 1983 Sixers championship ring.

Dei Lynam first posted the story last night on CSNPhilly.com, passing along info from a press release about Dr. J’s intention to sell:  

•    Dr. J’s 1974 and 1976 New York Nets ABA World Championship ring
•    1983 Philadelphia 76ers World Championship ring
•    1996 NBA’s 50 Greatest Players ring
•    MVP trophies from 1975-76 (ABA) and 1980-81 (NBA)
•    1977 and 1983 NBA All-Star game MVP trophies
•    1979, 1981 and 1985 Eastern Conference All-Star game-worn uniforms
•    1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers game-worn road uniform
•    His final game-worn jersey from Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference playoffs

Erving is working with SCP Auctions, which will open the items to bidding Friday Oct. 28 on their website scpauctions.com. The auction will remain open through Nov. 19.

“I am very excited to work with SCP Auctions to offer my personal collection of memorabilia to collectors and fans,” said Erving.  “It is my hope that the buyers of these items will derive much pleasure from their ownership. I also hope these treasures initiate much discussion inside and outside of basketball circles that help to preserve my legacy. It pleases me to support my lifelong charity, the Salvation Army, with a portion of the proceeds. My family and I thank all of the fans for their continued support throughout the years.”

 

But, sadly, there’s more.

Yesterday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that on October 18th a Georgia bank sued Erving’s company, The Erving Group Inc., for $200,000– money owed to the bank as part of a $1 million loan issued to Erving's company in April 2009. One year later, in April 2010, the same month the loan was to be repaid, the paper reported that a golf club Erving owned in the area was in foreclosure.

So, let's break this down: Erving couldn’t repay a loan given to presumably help his fledgling golf club and is now being sued by the bank. A week later, it's announced that he's auctioning off memorabilia collected throughout his storied career. Sounds like Dr. needs some dough. Now.

Erving's lawyer denies that’s the case: [Philly.com]

"It's not that [financial difficulties]; he was just willing to sell now," Kohler said. "He was ready to do it. We've been talking about this for about a year, and this is going to be the 25th year since his retirement, so he decided it was the right time."

 

Yeah, I bet.

There are tons of items available, including all-star game rings (I never knew they existed), on the auction site, which can be viewed right here. Sad day, folks. Sad day. But, hey– good news: at least Croce found Drake's ship.

Dr. J to Auction off Rings [CSNPhilly.com]

Doctor J to Auction off Memorabilia [Philly.com]