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You are here: Home / Business/Industry News / Sports Memorabilia Industry News / No “Passing” on Magic Johnson Basketball Cards

No “Passing” 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.

2016 IMMACULATE #31 LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON DUAL AUTO 47/49 PSA 6.5 AUTO 9 (739 2016 IMMACULATE #31 LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON DUAL AUTO 47/49 PSA 6.5 AUTO 9 (739
32 bids - Price: $385.00 - Watchers: 152
1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 7.5 1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 7.5
38 bids - Price: $900.00 - Watchers: 78
Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF Signed 1980 Topps PSA/DNA 10 AUTO Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF Signed 1980 Topps PSA/DNA 10 AUTO
22 bids - Price: $1,625.00 - Watchers: 74
2019-20 Panini Immaculate Magic Johnson Patch Auto 08/35 2019-20 Panini Immaculate Magic Johnson Patch Auto 08/35
29 bids - Price: $305.00 - Watchers: 73
1980  Topps Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson RC SGC 5.5 EX+ 1980 Topps Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson RC SGC 5.5 EX+
8 bids - Price: $137.50 - Watchers: 72
2015-2016 PANINI IMMACULATE DWAYNE DWYANE WADE FLAWLESS GOLD AUTOGRAPH AUTO /60 2015-2016 PANINI IMMACULATE DWAYNE DWYANE WADE FLAWLESS GOLD AUTOGRAPH AUTO /60
11 bids - Price: $100.00 - Watchers: 69
1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 7 1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 7
13 bids - Price: $812.00 - Watchers: 62
2015 PANINI NATIONAL TREASURES ALONZO MOURNING FLAWLESS HALL AUTOGRAPH AUTO /25 2015 PANINI NATIONAL TREASURES ALONZO MOURNING FLAWLESS HALL AUTOGRAPH AUTO /25
15 bids - Price: $73.00 - Watchers: 51
1980 TOPPS Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving Rookie RC SGC 6 1980 TOPPS Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving Rookie RC SGC 6
16 bids - Price: $535.00 - Watchers: 50
MAGIC JOHNSON PSA 10 2021 PANINI FLAWLESS #USAMJL USA BASKETBALL AUTO 17/25 HOF MAGIC JOHNSON PSA 10 2021 PANINI FLAWLESS #USAMJL USA BASKETBALL AUTO 17/25 HOF
18 bids - Price: $191.38 - Watchers: 47
1986 Fleer Basketball #53 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT 1986 Fleer Basketball #53 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT
18 bids - Price: $2,550.00 - Watchers: 47
2016-17 National Treasures Magic Johnson Colossal Jersey Auto #24/49 Lakers 2016-17 National Treasures Magic Johnson Colossal Jersey Auto #24/49 Lakers
12 bids - Price: $56.00 - Watchers: 45
2012-13 Panini Immaculate Magic Johnson Game Used Patch Auto /20 BGS 8.5 10 GU 2012-13 Panini Immaculate Magic Johnson Game Used Patch Auto /20 BGS 8.5 10 GU
13 bids - Price: $105.50 - Watchers: 45
LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON JULIUS ERVING BVG 8 1980 TOPPS BASKETBALL #6 ROOKIE RC LARRY BIRD MAGIC JOHNSON JULIUS ERVING BVG 8 1980 TOPPS BASKETBALL #6 ROOKIE RC
8 bids - Price: $470.00 - Watchers: 42
2019-20 Eminence Magic Johnson Finals MVP Diamond Gem Signatures Green Auto #3/3 2019-20 Eminence Magic Johnson Finals MVP Diamond Gem Signatures Green Auto #3/3
24 bids - Price: $320.01 - Watchers: 41
2009 UPPER DECK SP GAME USED FOUR JERSEY 43/99 MICHAEL JORDAN MAGIC JOHNSON ++++ 2009 UPPER DECK SP GAME USED FOUR JERSEY 43/99 MICHAEL JORDAN MAGIC JOHNSON ++++
12 bids - Price: $36.52 - Watchers: 36
1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 6 1980 TOPPS LARRY BIRD RC-JULIUS ERVING-MAGIC JOHNSON RC PSA 6
9 bids - Price: $207.50 - Watchers: 32
MAGIC JOHNSON 2022-23 PANINI NATIONAL TREASURES TREASURED MOMENTS AUTO 07/25  MAGIC JOHNSON 2022-23 PANINI NATIONAL TREASURES TREASURED MOMENTS AUTO 07/25 
7 bids - Price: $122.50 - Watchers: 29
2003 UD Ultimate Collection Buyback Magic Johnson HOF Jersey AUTO /15 PSA 9 2003 UD Ultimate Collection Buyback Magic Johnson HOF Jersey AUTO /15 PSA 9
11 bids - Price: $118.50 - Watchers: 29
1980-81 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF SGC 6.5 1980-81 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF SGC 6.5
7 bids - Price: $405.00 - Watchers: 29
2020 Panini NBA Hoops Magic Johnson HOT Signatures PSA 9 Auto 10 GEM 💎 SSP 🔥 2020 Panini NBA Hoops Magic Johnson HOT Signatures PSA 9 Auto 10 GEM 💎 SSP 🔥
9 bids - Price: $57.00 - Watchers: 27
2021-22 Panini Noir Magic Johnson 75th Acetate Auto On Card /75 2021-22 Panini Noir Magic Johnson 75th Acetate Auto On Card /75
13 bids - Price: $111.00 - Watchers: 26
1980 Topps Scoring Leaders - Larry Bird/Julius Irving/Magic Johnson PSA 7 1980 Topps Scoring Leaders - Larry Bird/Julius Irving/Magic Johnson PSA 7
23 bids - Price: $1,059.00 - Watchers: 26
Bulk Lot Trading Cards 1600 Nba NFl Top Loaders Penny Sleeves Bulk Lot Trading Cards 1600 Nba NFl Top Loaders Penny Sleeves
7 bids - Price: $17.25 - Watchers: 25
2022-23 PANINI PRIZM DRAFT PICKS MANGA MAGIC JOHNSON #MAN-MJ CASE HIT PSA 9 2022-23 PANINI PRIZM DRAFT PICKS MANGA MAGIC JOHNSON #MAN-MJ CASE HIT PSA 9
19 bids - Price: $50.00 - Watchers: 25
1991 SKYBOX DREAM TEAM USA 🇺🇸 3 CARD SET PSA 10 544 545 546 1992 JUST GRADED🔥 1991 SKYBOX DREAM TEAM USA 🇺🇸 3 CARD SET PSA 10 544 545 546 1992 JUST GRADED🔥
6 bids - Price: $222.50 - Watchers: 25
2023 Leaf Metal Website Exclusive White Dual Auto Larry Bird/Magic Johnson 1/1 2023 Leaf Metal Website Exclusive White Dual Auto Larry Bird/Magic Johnson 1/1
16 bids - Price: $160.00 - Watchers: 25
2015-16 Panini National Treasures Magic Johnson Treasured Threads GU Patch 23/25 2015-16 Panini National Treasures Magic Johnson Treasured Threads GU Patch 23/25
13 bids - Price: $26.00 - Watchers: 25
2020-2021 PANINI IMPECCABLE CHRIS MULLIN CANVAS FLAWLESS HOLO AUTOGRAPH AUTO /49 2020-2021 PANINI IMPECCABLE CHRIS MULLIN CANVAS FLAWLESS HOLO AUTOGRAPH AUTO /49
6 bids - Price: $10.50 - Watchers: 24
Magic Johnson 1986 Fleer Sticker 7 PSA 9 MINT LAKERS HOF Magic Johnson 1986 Fleer Sticker 7 PSA 9 MINT LAKERS HOF
22 bids - Price: $300.00 - Watchers: 24
2019-20 Immaculate Magic Johnson Shadowbox Auto Autograph #31/49 #MJN Lakers 2019-20 Immaculate Magic Johnson Shadowbox Auto Autograph #31/49 #MJN Lakers
11 bids - Price: $118.50 - Watchers: 23
2016-2017 PANINI IMPECCABLE DARIO SARIC FLAWLESS ROOKIE RC AUTOGRAPH AUTO /99 2016-2017 PANINI IMPECCABLE DARIO SARIC FLAWLESS ROOKIE RC AUTOGRAPH AUTO /99
3 bids - Price: $2.25 - Watchers: 22
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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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