Robert Parish Boston Celtics 1980-1981 NBA Championship Ring

From the Personal Collection of Robert Parish,

Grey Flannel Auctions,

Private Collector

Sotheby's is proud to offer this 14k gold 1981 Boston Celtics NBA Championship Ring from the personal collection of Robert Parish. The ring was presented to Parish following the Boston Celtics' defeat of the Houston Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals — the franchise's 14th championship. In his signed Letter of Authenticity, Parish attests that this is his original ring and that no duplicates were made.

The 1980-81 Boston Celtics marked the beginning of a dynasty newly assembled. Parish had arrived in Boston just one season earlier, acquired from the Golden State Warriors alongside the draft pick that would become Kevin McHale. Together with Larry Bird, the trio formed what is widely regarded as one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA history. In their first season together, Parish averaged 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as Boston finished with a 62-20 record. The Celtics overcame a 3-1 series deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals before defeating the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the NBA Finals to capture the championship. Parish averaged 15.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during the Finals.

Parish spent 14 seasons with the Celtics, helping lead the franchise to NBA Championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986, before winning a fourth title with the Chicago Bulls in 1997. A nine-time NBA All-Star, Parish was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named to both the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Upon his retirement in 1997, Parish held the NBA record for most regular-season games played, appearing in 1,611 contests across 21 NBA seasons.

The ring is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity signed by Robert Parish and a Certificate of Authenticity from Grey Flannel Auctions.