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Since the NBA’s founding in 1946, there have only been five commissioners. Of those, Lawrence “Larry” O’Brien served the shortest term, leading the league from 1975 to 1984 before handing the reins to David Stern.
Appointed in 1975, O’Brien oversaw one of the most significant transitions in NBA history: the successful merger with the rival American Basketball Association (ABA). Under his watch, the league secured national television deals with CBS and saw a rise in game attendance. In recognition of his contributions, the NBA renamed its championship trophy in his honor in 1984 — now known as the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.
Yet O’Brien’s tenure wasn’t without criticism. The league faced ongoing public relations challenges post-merger, and many of the pivotal decisions attributed to his office were heavily influenced by his ambitious deputy, David Stern. By most accounts, it was Stern — not O’Brien — who engineered the TV deals, boosted the league's image, and laid the groundwork for the NBA’s explosion in popularity during the 1980s.
O’Brien was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, fittingly located in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Back in the 1970s and early ’80s, official NBA leather game balls weren’t widely available to the public. Sporting goods stores rarely stocked them, partly due to low consumer demand and their steep price point. Die-hard fans typically settled for rubber versions, which were far more affordable. Teams didn’t often give away official balls either — the NBA was far from the commercial powerhouse it is today.
Offered here is a rare find: a brand-new Wilson official NBA game ball, made of selected leather grain, marked BLEM, and housed in its original retail box — just as it would’ve appeared on the shelf decades ago. These balls were most likely designated for practice use due to minor imperfections and are considered “dead stock” from a bygone era.
Given their cost at the time and the league’s relatively modest popularity, few of these were ever sold — and fewer still survive in this condition.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better example.
**NOT FOR SALE**
Item: 13913
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