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You are here: Home / Business/Industry News / Sports Memorabilia Industry News / No β€œPassing” on Magic Johnson Basketball Cards

No β€œPassing” on Magic Johnson Basketball Cards

February 9, 2017 By Rich Mueller

One of the NBA All-Star Game’s most memorable contests happened thanks to a player who had retired just three months earlier.  It turned out being diagnosed with the HIV virus wasn’t a death sentence or even something that would keep the game’s MVP from competing at the sport’s highest level. It was just one of many triumphs collectors think about when they thumb through Magic Johnson basketball cards.  In 2012, Panini Immaculate commemorated the moment with a signed card that shows him holding the All-Star MVP trophy.

Johnson was probably best known for his dazzling passes during the Lakers “Showtime” era but he captivated NBA audiences with his incredible showcase of all-around skills for 12 years.  He abruptly retired from the NBA in November 1991 but came back for the All-Star Game after being voted as a starter through fan balloting.  After a slow start, he put on a show in the second half, scoring 25 points and dishing out nine assists.  It was just a cameo, though. He stayed retired, except for a brief comeback during the 1995-96 season.

The Lansing, Michigan product didn’t have to wait for the bright lights of professional basketball to become a household name, though. He was dubbed “Magic” as a 15-year-old after a sports writer witnessed his play at Everett High School.

The Magic Johnson-Larry Bird Rookie Card

Johnson led his Michigan State Spartans into the 1979 NCAA title game against Indiana State and Larry Bird. While Johnson and the Spartans emerged with the victory, it was a battle that set the tone for a future rivalry in the NBA for years to come. That’s why it’s little coincidence the 1980-81 Magic Johnson Topps rookie card features both Bird and Johnson.  

Both quickly became NBA stars.  The Bird-Johnson rookie card, made possible by Topps’ unique perforated design that put three ‘mini cards’ onto one, is one of the hobby’s signature modern era cards. Values have skyrocketed in recent years. 

1981-82 and Beyond

The following year marked Topps’ basketball farewell for the rest of the decade.  Magic appears as card #21 in the main set and on a Super Action card in the West region set. Both are quality action shots and probably a bit underrated considering their modest cost.

During the rest of the Lakers’ remarkable run during the 1980s, you can find Magic Johnson basketball cards in Star Company and Fleer sets. The first Star issue, 1983-84, can be hard to locate in high-grade and is considered a single print.  High-grade Fleer stickers from 1986-87 can also be challenging.

He’d appear on several sets produced in the late 1980s and early 90s but most carry little value because of the quantity produced.

His brief NBA stint in ’95-96 produced a few cards that put the bow on his playing career including a Topps Finest that’s popular with collectors.

In recent years, you can find autographed Magic Johnson cards inside Upper Deck and Panini products including some that feature on-card autographs.  There are enough in the market that an ordinary Magic signed card is within the reach of most collectors.

Past Glory; Present Dreams

Perhaps his legend was cemented by his ability to play every position on the court. At 6’9, Magic might have been considered to play only forward in the NBA. Instead, he put up highlight reels from the center, forward and point guard position.  He finished his career averaging 19.5 ppg and 11.2 assists.

His unselfish basketball play led to five NBA titles (’80, ’82, ’85, ’87 and ’88) and three MVP awards.  His “32” jersey hangs from the rafters at the Staples Center as one of the Lakers’ retired numbers.

Johnson is now hoping to be a part of returning the Lakers to at least some of their former glory having accepted a job as special advisor to co-owner Jeannie Buss.

For collectors, cards that resurrect memories of one of the NBA’s most dynamic players–and eras–remain of strong interest.  Check out the 32 current most watched Magic Johnson basketball cards on eBay below.

MAGIC JOHNSON 2019 Panini Impeccable Elegance Patch Auto 3/5 Emerald Game Worn MAGIC JOHNSON 2019 Panini Impeccable Elegance Patch Auto 3/5 Emerald Game Worn
6 bids - Price: $250.00 - Watchers: 97
LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON ERVING SGC 4.5 1980-81 TOPPS #6 SCORING LEADER ROOKIE LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON ERVING SGC 4.5 1980-81 TOPPS #6 SCORING LEADER ROOKIE
22 bids - Price: $427.00 - Watchers: 84
MAGIC JOHNSON 2018 Panini Prizm Fast Break Auto Black 1/1 PSA 10 Lakers Card MAGIC JOHNSON 2018 Panini Prizm Fast Break Auto Black 1/1 PSA 10 Lakers Card
17 bids - Price: $510.00 - Watchers: 75
2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink Magic Johnson /10 Auto Gold Lakers #1 2012-13 Panini Flawless All-Star Ink Magic Johnson /10 Auto Gold Lakers #1
24 bids - Price: $227.50 - Watchers: 72
1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving HOF PSA 7 1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving HOF PSA 7
44 bids - Price: $1,000.00 - Watchers: 72
LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON PSA 8 1993 NBA HOOPS #MB1 DUAL AUTO LAKERS CELTICS 1689 LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON PSA 8 1993 NBA HOOPS #MB1 DUAL AUTO LAKERS CELTICS 1689
34 bids - Price: $215.00 - Watchers: 67
1991 Skybox Team USA Set 1 2 3 PSA 10 Michael Jordan Larry Bird Magic Johnson 1991 Skybox Team USA Set 1 2 3 PSA 10 Michael Jordan Larry Bird Magic Johnson
15 bids - Price: $227.50 - Watchers: 55
1986 FLEER #53 MAGIC JOHNSON LAKERS HOF PSA 8 DNA AUTO 10 1986 FLEER #53 MAGIC JOHNSON LAKERS HOF PSA 8 DNA AUTO 10
25 bids - Price: $122.50 - Watchers: 53
2020-21 Panini One And One Timeless Moments Purple Magic Johnson HOF AUTO 4/25 2020-21 Panini One And One Timeless Moments Purple Magic Johnson HOF AUTO 4/25
13 bids - Price: $285.00 - Watchers: 51
2020-21 Panini One And One Timeless Moments Red Magic Johnson HOF Gold AUTO 1/15 2020-21 Panini One And One Timeless Moments Red Magic Johnson HOF Gold AUTO 1/15
12 bids - Price: $305.00 - Watchers: 48
2019-20 Panini Impeccable Elegance Retired Jersey Patch Auto MAGIC JOHNSON /10 2019-20 Panini Impeccable Elegance Retired Jersey Patch Auto MAGIC JOHNSON /10
14 bids - Price: $215.50 - Watchers: 45
BIRD ERVING JOHNSON 1980-81 TOPPS SCORING LEADERS ROOKIE RC BGS 6.5 BVG 6915 BIRD ERVING JOHNSON 1980-81 TOPPS SCORING LEADERS ROOKIE RC BGS 6.5 BVG 6915
26 bids - Price: $502.00 - Watchers: 43
Magic Johnson Larry Bird HOF Signed 1992 Upper Deck Retire AUTO PSA/DNA PSA 10 Magic Johnson Larry Bird HOF Signed 1992 Upper Deck Retire AUTO PSA/DNA PSA 10
26 bids - Price: $385.00 - Watchers: 43
2019-20 Flawless Basketball Enshrined Signatures Auto Magic Johnson Lakers /15πŸ”₯ 2019-20 Flawless Basketball Enshrined Signatures Auto Magic Johnson Lakers /15πŸ”₯
16 bids - Price: $146.50 - Watchers: 42
MAGIC JOHNSON BGS 8.5 2018-19 PANINI NOIR BASKETBALL SHADOW SIGNATURES AUTO /99 MAGIC JOHNSON BGS 8.5 2018-19 PANINI NOIR BASKETBALL SHADOW SIGNATURES AUTO /99
12 bids - Price: $157.50 - Watchers: 40
2001 Bowman 2001 Bowman's Best Franchise Favorites Dual Auto SHAQUILLE O'NEAL MAGIC JOHNSON
7 bids - Price: $161.50 - Watchers: 38
1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving PSA 7 1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving PSA 7
40 bids - Price: $1,051.00 - Watchers: 38
2021-22 Leaf Pearl STEPHEN CURRY, MAGIC, IVERSON, THOMAS Quad Auto /4!! πŸ€πŸ€ 2021-22 Leaf Pearl STEPHEN CURRY, MAGIC, IVERSON, THOMAS Quad Auto /4!! πŸ€πŸ€
7 bids - Price: $405.00 - Watchers: 37
2021-22 Leaf Pearl Magic Johnson Joe Montana Signatures 2 Rainbow Auto #1/2 2021-22 Leaf Pearl Magic Johnson Joe Montana Signatures 2 Rainbow Auto #1/2
12 bids - Price: $62.00 - Watchers: 36
2022-23 Leaf Signatures Series Peacock Chevy Chase Magic Johnson Auto Card 1/1 2022-23 Leaf Signatures Series Peacock Chevy Chase Magic Johnson Auto Card 1/1
26 bids - Price: $137.50 - Watchers: 36
1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving HOF PSA 7 1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Rookie Julius Erving HOF PSA 7
16 bids - Price: $640.00 - Watchers: 36
MAGIC JOHNSON 2021-22 PANINI FLAWLESS ON CARD AUTO SILVER 6/25 L.A. LAKERS MAGIC JOHNSON 2021-22 PANINI FLAWLESS ON CARD AUTO SILVER 6/25 L.A. LAKERS
8 bids - Price: $118.50 - Watchers: 36
1980 Topps Scoring Leader Bird/ Erving/Johnson PSA 6 EX-MT RC 1980 Topps Scoring Leader Bird/ Erving/Johnson PSA 6 EX-MT RC
10 bids - Price: $652.00 - Watchers: 35
2014 Prizm Magic Johnson SP Variation Gold Pulsar /10 PSA 10 Gem Mint Pop 1 1/1 2014 Prizm Magic Johnson SP Variation Gold Pulsar /10 PSA 10 Gem Mint Pop 1 1/1
3 bids - Price: $205.00 - Watchers: 34
Magic Johnson Larry Bird 2021-22 Impeccable NBA 75th Logo 1 Oz Silver #D 6/8 Magic Johnson Larry Bird 2021-22 Impeccable NBA 75th Logo 1 Oz Silver #D 6/8
11 bids - Price: $175.50 - Watchers: 33
2021-22 Flawless Flawless Autographs SP /25 #31 Magic Johnson Auto R6220J 2021-22 Flawless Flawless Autographs SP /25 #31 Magic Johnson Auto R6220J
12 bids - Price: $128.50 - Watchers: 32
2023 Leaf Pro Set Pure Quad Auto Stephen Curry Magic Johnson Lillard Iverson 3/5 2023 Leaf Pro Set Pure Quad Auto Stephen Curry Magic Johnson Lillard Iverson 3/5
24 bids - Price: $410.00 - Watchers: 29
1980-81 Topps Set-Break #162 174 139 Kolff, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson BVG 8.5 1980-81 Topps Set-Break #162 174 139 Kolff, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson BVG 8.5
11 bids - Price: $20.50 - Watchers: 29
2021-22 Flawless Magic Johnson Auto #/15 Distinguished Ruby Autograph 2021-22 Flawless Magic Johnson Auto #/15 Distinguished Ruby Autograph
7 bids - Price: $158.49 - Watchers: 27
MAGIC JOHNSON/LARRY BIRD 1993 NBA HOOPS DUAL AUTO AUTOGRAPH SIGNED CARD w/ STAMP MAGIC JOHNSON/LARRY BIRD 1993 NBA HOOPS DUAL AUTO AUTOGRAPH SIGNED CARD w/ STAMP
9 bids - Price: $31.00 - Watchers: 27
2021-22 Panini One And One Basketball Blue #152 Magic Johnson /30 PSA 10 POP 1 2021-22 Panini One And One Basketball Blue #152 Magic Johnson /30 PSA 10 POP 1
10 bids - Price: $52.51 - Watchers: 27
2019-20 EMINENCE MAGIC JOHNSON Finals MVP Diamond Signatures AUTO GOLD 4/5 2019-20 EMINENCE MAGIC JOHNSON Finals MVP Diamond Signatures AUTO GOLD 4/5
9 bids - Price: $132.50 - Watchers: 26
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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]

Filed Under: Sports Memorabilia Industry News Tagged With: 1980-81 Topps Basketball, 1981-82 Topps basketball, Bird-Magic rookie, Magic Johnson, Star Company basketball

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