SPALDING BASKETBALL

Circa 1991

Offered in this lot is a basketball signed by members of the 1990–1991 Chicago Bulls, painted with the inscription “Chicago Bulls 1991 World Champions.” This team captured the franchise’s first NBA championship and marked the beginning of one of the most successful dynasties in professional sports. After years of postseason setbacks, Chicago broke through with a 61–21 regular-season record, establishing itself as the league’s top team and signaling a shift in the NBA’s balance of power.

Led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the Bulls entered the season focused on changing their narrative. Pippen had grown into a central figure, providing defense, playmaking, and versatility that allowed the team’s system to take hold under head coach Phil Jackson and his triangle offense.

Chicago’s playoff run concluded with a five-game victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, a series widely viewed as the passing of the torch from the Showtime era to a new generation led by the Bulls. Contributions from Horace Grant, John Paxson, and Bill Cartwright helped solidify a group that would define the decade.

Signed by members of this championship roster, the basketball includes autographs from Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Dennis Hopson, John Paxson, B.J. Armstrong, Craig Hodges, Bill Cartwright, Will Perdue, Stacey King, Scott Williams, Cliff Levingston, and Horace Grant. The basketball comes directly from the Collection of Scottie Pippen.

The basketball is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication in regards to the signatures.