They went from tall to small, then back to small again. 1970s Topps basketball cards were all over the board in the decade in which they dutifully produced sets each and every season. They're far from fancy and some years Topps didn't have the rights to show logos so the players wore shirts backwards when the photographer snapped. It was like it or lump it for basketball … [Read more...] about Ten 1970s Basketball Cards for the Hoop History Lover
1970s basketball rookie cards
1970s Basketball Rookie Cards of College Hoop Heroes
College basketball tournaments will create their own stars over the next four weeks. For some, it will be the greatest moment of their athletic lives and we'll never see them on an NBA court. For others, it will be a springboard to a great pro career. Even though some will spend years at the next level, what they accomplished in college may … [Read more...] about 1970s Basketball Rookie Cards of College Hoop Heroes
Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 4, the Late 1970s
In the third leg of this journey through some underrated gems from hoops hobby history (Part 1 looked at four greats from the dawn of the pro game; Part 2 examined four under-heralded greats from the 1960s), we discussed the monumental challenges – rooted predominantly in false perceptions and demographic bias – that faced the NBA for most of the 1970s. The NBA struggled to … [Read more...] about Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 4, the Late 1970s
1970-71 Topps Basketball Set Loaded With Stars, Key Rookies
Basketball cards seemed like a tall order for Topps during the 1960s, but the card company came up with back-to-back “tall boy” sets and an intriguing product. The tall boys were similar to the design used for the 1965 Topps football set. The ’65 set revolved around one star — Joe Namath — and the 1970-71 Topps basketball set also was notable for the hottest rookie to … [Read more...] about 1970-71 Topps Basketball Set Loaded With Stars, Key Rookies
Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 3, the 1970s
In the 1970s, post-Wilt and Russell, but pre-Magic/Bird, the NBA found itself short on spectacular, media-friendly stars. Of course, there was Kareem, putting together the greatest three-year run in the history of the sport and capturing a title in Milwaukee, before thriving on a series of underwhelming Lakers teams. Toward the end of the decade there was also Dr. J, who was … [Read more...] about Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 3, the 1970s
The Story of the ABA in 9 Rookie Cards
The ABA’s mystique is steeped in the mystery of unseen thrills and unknowable greatness. Happily, those there to witness the feats firsthand are more than happy to tell the tales (Terry Pluto’s Loose Balls is the best trove of these stories). YouTube and various documentarians have also done an admirable job. It’s imperfect, but, we get what we get, right? At the same time, … [Read more...] about The Story of the ABA in 9 Rookie Cards
Vintage Pack Facts: 1972-73 Topps Basketball
After producing in relatively small quantities the year before, Topps made sure there was plenty of 1972-73 basketball for everyone. Even today, it's a relatively easy score, whether you're collecting cards for a set--or want an unopened pack. This week's edition of Vintage Pack Facts from VintageBreaks.com is a look back at the purple pack power of 1972-73 … [Read more...] about Vintage Pack Facts: 1972-73 Topps Basketball
Best Vintage Hoops Bargain? 1972-73 Has Doc, HOF Horde
The Doctor was in and so was the Zen Master. The ABA was back. Wheaties were in the mix and Wilt tipped it all off. The 1972-73 Topps Basketball set is a gold mine of 70s hoop goodness, even if some of the players still had their shirts on backwards. After pushing out a 233-card issue in 1971, Topps kicked it up another notch in ’72 with a tidy, 264-card … [Read more...] about Best Vintage Hoops Bargain? 1972-73 Has Doc, HOF Horde
Rookie Cards of 1980s NBA Finals MVPs
It was the decade that brought us the Showtime Lakers, the gritty, gutty Celtics and Sixers and a rebirth of pro basketball under commissioner David Stern. The hoops card market was struggling as the 1980s began but still gave us one of the era's greatest cards. By the end, it was a free-for-all but some of the greats who won MVPs in the era had their rookie cards during the … [Read more...] about Rookie Cards of 1980s NBA Finals MVPs
1969-70 Topps Basketball Cards Were a Landmark
40 years ago, something new and different showed up in the candy aisle...basketball cards. For kids who grew up in the 1960s, "basketball cards" wasn't even a phrase. Not unless an older brother just happened to have a few 1961-62 Fleer stuck away in a box. Or an uncle who offered tales of a Topps set produced in 1957. Baseball cards were king. Football was … [Read more...] about 1969-70 Topps Basketball Cards Were a Landmark