Shaq's Personal 2000 Lakers Championship Jacket :: Worn Right After Finals Victory & During Iconic Photo Shoot with Kobe :: Direct from The Diesel Himself!In what was one of the most accomplished and dominant careers in the history of the NBA, the 1999-2000 season was undoubtedly the finest of Shaquille O'Neal's career and arguably one of the single greatest seasons for ANY player in league history. Shaq first started by dominating the regular season, leading the league in points per game, field goal percentage and earning his second scoring title while en route to earning the league's MVP for the year. And while some may wear down or burn out after a long season of performing on that level, Shaq only got better in the playoffs. Leading all players during the NBA playoffs with an amazing 30.7 points per game and 15.4 rebounds per game, Shaq elevated his legacy by leading the Lakers to the first of three consecutive NBA championships with a dominating 4-2 Finals series victory over the Indiana Pacers. In addition to being the MVP for the regular season, Shaq capped off his legendary season by taking home the Finals MVP award.
While celebrating in the lockeroom after the series-clinching game 6 victory against the Pacers, Shaq was presented with this beautiful Jeff Hamilton special edition Lakers Championship leather jacket. Measuring an astounding 5XXL, the jacket showcases a stunning array of designs paying homage to the Lakers' victory and past victories, including showcasing the official Finals patch on the sleeves. This jacket would quickly become a symbol of the Lakers' historic victory, as minutes after receiving the jacket Shaq and Kobe engaged in a photo shoot arranged by the team where the Laker greats would pose with the championship trophy in what would become some of the most memorable images to celebrate the victory.
All things being considered, we are proud and honored to present for your bidding consideration Shaq's actual jacket from this historic evening. Held in the big man's possession ever since that fateful night, this jacket is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity direct from Shaquille O'Neal himself attesting that this was indeed his personal jacket. For added measure, the jacket has been analyzed against the images from that evening and have been conclusive photomatched by Sports Investors Authentication, with their letter of Photo Match also accompanying the jacket.
When a player of Shaq's significance has such a remarkable achievement, virtually everything worn or used by them is accounted for and is either sent to the Hall of Fame or stored away in their private collection, never to be seen by the public again. The fact that an such a prominent item of this nature has made it to public auction with such incredibly solid provenance is just flat-out amazing. Collectors please take notice--an opportunity to own such a significant piece from one of the greatest players in NBA history from one of the greatest achievements of their career will rarely appear! Accompanied by a personal Letter of Authenticity from Shaquille O'Neal himself (signature validated by Beckett Authentication Services) and a Letter of Authenticity and Photomatching from Sports Investors Authentication (SIA).