Like the 1990s, the first decade of the 21st century had a bit of a dynasty feel at the start. The Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen Bulls had faded into history, replaced by Shaq and Kobe. While they didn’t win every NBA Finals MVP of the 2000s, their rookie cards were at the top of collector want lists. Some of them date back to the previous decade while others were … [Read more...]
NBA Finals MVPs of the 1990s and Their Rookie Cards
In the third of our series that began with the 1970s and 1980s, we run down the rookie cards of the Finals MVPs during the decade of the 1990s. It’s a short list thanks to one guy, but it starts with a player on the team Michael Jordan had to figure out a way to beat in order to kick-start the Chicago Bulls’ decade of dominance. Click the links to each to see them on … [Read more...]
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...]
NBA Finals MVPs of the 1970s and Their Rookie Cards
Basketball card collectors will often identify a group of players and collect their rookie cards. Sometimes it’s a collection of Hall of Famers or simply a favorite player. Team collectors will focus one on franchise. Another option is to collect the best players at the pinnacle of their careers: rookie cards of the NBA Finals MVPs. These players are the best of the best … [Read more...]
Historic 1984 NBA Finals Provide Bounty of Memorabilia
In 1983-84 there was nothing bigger in the NBA than Magic Johnson…except league MVP Larry Bird. It was a rivalry renewed as the Celtics and Lakers met to decide the championship 30 years ago this month. It marked the first time the two stars had met with everything on the line since their famed duel in the 1979 NCAA Championship game. Game 7 of the 1984 Finals became the … [Read more...]
Michael Jordan’s Signed ‘Flu Game’ Shoes Consigned to Auction
It’s known simply as ‘The Flu Game’. Michael Jordan was as sick as he had ever been the night of June 11, 1997, but NBA Finals Game 5 awaited in Salt Lake City. In what ESPN recently described as his second greatest moment ever, Jordan summoned the strength to not only play, but lead the Chicago Bulls to a critical win. Now, Grey Flannel Auctions says the shoes Jordan was … [Read more...]
Snaring 1970 Kareem, Oscar Jerseys Turned Out to be Wise Move for Equipment Man
Hopping on a bus to apply for a job with a new pro basketball franchise in Milwaukee more than 40 years ago looks like it is going to pay some big future dividends for Patrick McBride. A teenager who inherited the job as equipment manager when his boss passed away, McBride saw his Bucks win the 1970-71 NBA Championship. Three years later, still working for the team, he … [Read more...]