The release of the film Air earlier this year, a movie that chronicles the parallel ascent of Nike and Michael Jordan, got me thinking of the evolution of basketball shoes. Being a basketball card collector since the 1969 Topps “Tall Boys” were issued, and noticing every nuance of these cardboard gems over the decades, I began tracking the appearances of different styles of … [Read more...] about Sneak(er) Peeks: The Evolution of Basketball Shoes on Basketball Cards from NBA Pioneers to Air Jordan
vintage basketball cards
Rare Minneapolis Lakers Regional Set Has Deep History With Artist’s Family
A scarce regional card set featuring the 1950 Minneapolis Lakers will be part of Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction in August. It will showcase the artwork of a longtime Minneapolis newspaper artist and cartoonist, Al Papas, whose intricate drawings are featured in the 13-card set. Four of Papas’ grandchildren — Jeff, Jennifer, Susan and Amy — are … [Read more...] about Rare Minneapolis Lakers Regional Set Has Deep History With Artist’s Family
First Basketball Inserts: 1969-70 Topps Rulers and Those That Never Were
Inserts were nothing new at the Topps Company when they struck a deal to get back into the basketball bubble gum card market in 1969. In fact, you could reasonably argue that the late 1960s and early 70s were the zenith of vintage inserts. You could scarcely open a pack without finding a sticker, a coin or a poster. Oh, did Topps love posters. Sometimes they turned the … [Read more...] about First Basketball Inserts: 1969-70 Topps Rulers and Those That Never Were
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
Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 2, the 1960s
As was the case in the earliest days of professional basketball, in the 1960s the limelight focused squarely on a select few greats: Russell and Wilt, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and the still-undercelebrated Elgin Baylor. Left in their wake was another collection of Hall of Famers, including the likes of Jerry Lucas, Zelmo Beaty, Walt Bellamy, Bailey Howell, Lenny Wilkens, … [Read more...] about Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 2, the 1960s
Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 1, the Early Days
In terms of recognition and fame, the early days of pro basketball were a fraught time to be a “merely great” player. Center stage belonged to the big men of the days: Russell, Chamberlain and, later, Kareem immediately come to mind. Of course, before any of those guys ever took the floor, there was Mikan. Unlike any player in history, Mikan was the league. He was arguably … [Read more...] about Overlooked and Underrated Rookie Cards of NBA Greats – Part 1, the Early Days
Ranking Every 1980-81 Topps Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Card
If we’re being kind, we might refer to Topps’ 1979-80 basketball set as “unspectacular”. The product failed to resonate with collectors at the time of its release. More than four decades on, not much has changed. Despite a attractive design and some sharp action shots, a rookie crop of Alex English, Mychal Thompson and Reggie Theus and, well, not much else, isn’t the stuff … [Read more...] about Ranking Every 1980-81 Topps Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Card
One Last Year in the Wilderness – Basketball Cards in 1982-83
That major sports card manufacturers have historically made a habit of taking hiatuses from basketball is well-trodden ground. That proclivity for punting on hoops meant that the decades of the 1950s and 1960s – or nearly 30% of NBA history – saw the release of just two mainstream sets. On the bright side, as a result of having to make up for lost time, these issues – … [Read more...] about One Last Year in the Wilderness – Basketball Cards in 1982-83
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
Rare, Relevant and… Anonymous?? Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 Star Card
Stop me if you’ve heard this before… The title of “most hilariously stacked basketball set of the twentieth century” comes down to three names: 1961-62 Fleer (Wilt, West, Oscar, Elgin rookies, plus those of seven other Hall of Famers), 1969-70 Topps (99 cards, 15 Hall of Fame RCs, led by Lew Alcindor’s), and 1986-87 Fleer (Jordan, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Isiah, Dominique, … [Read more...] about Rare, Relevant and… Anonymous?? Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 Star Card