The late NBA head coach Chuck Daly was known for his ability to create harmony out of diverse personalities at all levels of basketball. He could bridge differences between superstar Dream Teamers like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley as well as Pistons teammates as unalike as Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars. Daly once said: “It’s a players’ league. They allow you to coach them or they don’t. Once they stop allowing you to coach, you’re on your way out.” Next month, starting on Wed., August 5, dozens of pieces from Daly’s personal memorabilia collection go on the auction block at www.scpauctions.com. The company’s Mid-Summer Classic online auction concludes on Sat., August 22.

Topping the list of coveted items from the Daly Collection is an important 1992 U.S. Men’s Basketball “Dream Team” signed and painted game-used basketball from the team’s historic Olympic gold medal winning game against Croatia. A total of 12 signatures (11 players plus Daly) can be found on the prized basketball including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley. Other noteworthy items from the Daly Collection include his hand-written notes scribbled during his first meeting with the Dream Team members in June of 1992, as well as an original type-written and signed letter from Michael Jordan to the coach in November of ‘94. An Olympic torch, jackets, sweaters and polo shirts from the Games as well as several team-signed basketballs from Daly’s successful NBA coaching days round out the assortment. Every one of the items comes with exceptional provenance from the Daly Estate.

“Chuck Daly was a player’s coach,” said Dan Imler, vice president at SCP Auctions, “and his memorabilia collection is evidence of the great working relationships he had with the many players he mentored.”

Daly coached in the pros from 1978 until 1999, starting as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and ending as the head coach of the Orlando Magic. He lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in May 2009. He was 78 years old. Online bidding is open to registered bidders only. The auction is being conducted at www.scpauctions.com. For more information, call 949-831-3700.                                                                                                                                   -Terry Melia