It was the first basketball single card I ever purchased. I stood there in the small hotel conference room in Watertown, NY. It was one of the first shows I had ever gone to. I don’t remember the hotel. Maybe it was a motor hotel – you know, the two-story ones that bad guys always stay in on TV shows and movies, with the big promotional sign reading, “Free Cable!” At … [Read more...] about Not All Dreams Have A Happy Ending
1972-73 Topps basketball
The ABA Story, Part II – Rookie Cards of Eight ABA-Only Greats
Several weeks back, we strolled down memory lane, reliving the delightful – and delightfully weird – heyday of the ABA. Anyone truly familiar with basketball history will recognize a common thread among those highlighted in that piece. Not only were these among the most accomplished of ABA alumni, but NBA success also lay in their future. Julius Erving, Rick Barry, Artis … [Read more...] about The ABA Story, Part II – Rookie Cards of Eight ABA-Only Greats
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
Phil Jackson Cards Chronicle Long NBA Career
If you had looked at the images on some of his earliest issues, you'd never guess he'd become one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. Long hair, long mustache. A little counter-culture vibe. Inside, though, was the blossoming mind of a man who would guide greatness. Phil Jackson basketball cards stretch from his 1970s playing days to his … [Read more...] about Phil Jackson Cards Chronicle Long NBA Career
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
eBay Card of the Day…and What Happened On Valentine’s Night 1975
In some ways, I've been blessed by when and where I grew up as a sports fan. In the New York Metropolitan area we had 10 television stations counting both UHF and VHF frequencies and many of those stations featured sports either regularly or on occasion. WOR Channel 9 in New York not only had Mets games but also featured road games of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Nets. … [Read more...] about eBay Card of the Day…and What Happened On Valentine’s Night 1975