Historic 1970 Knicks Championship Ring by Dick Barnett Goes Up for Auction
Okay, I guess you couldn’t resist another deep dive into sneaker-shimmering memorabilia, so here’s the rundown: the late Knicks great Dick Barnett’s treasured 1970 NBA championship ring is officially headed to the auction block this August. You probably *should* already know this if you’re a die-hard basketball historian, but in case you missed the headlines, TMZ Sports confirmed that this golden relic from the franchise’s glory days has landed at Heritage Auctions after a private sale handed it off to the bidding arena.
Let me break it down for you: this isn’t just any oversized piece of bling—they only made a handful of rings that season. Crafted in 14K gold by Balfour, the design proudly showcases “New York Knicks” and “World Champions” around its diamond-encrusted face, complete with Barnett’s own name etched on the side. You’ll even spot the number 18, a subtle salute to that record-setting win streak the Knicks rattled off en route to defeating the Lakers in a thrilling seven-game NBA Finals showdown. If you’re squeaking at the edges of vintage stats, yes, that’s the same series where Willis Reed famously hobbled onto the court and Walt Frazier dazzled on both ends.
Heritage Auctions people—who you really should trust, since they specialize in these one-of-a-kind collectibles—have already pegged the starting bids north of sixty thousand dollars. Their spokesperson couldn’t resist pointing out that the timing couldn’t be more perfect, given the Knicks’ recent playoff surge. They’re predicting fierce competition, especially from collectors who recognize the ring belongs to a Hall of Famer. Speaking of which, if you were unaware, Barnett earned his spot in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, capping off a career that also boasted another championship in 1973 and a jersey retirement that showcased how much the city adored him.
Of course, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled on Heritage’s official auction catalog this August, because this kind of historic piece doesn’t pop up every day. If you’re planning to bid, hope you’ve been saving your pennies. And if you’re just curious about Knicks lore, there you have it—detailed enough for you to post your next trivia masterpiece. Well, now you finally understand! Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ Sports, Heritage Auctions, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
