My basketball pickups at the show were all from the same guy who had a ton of older basketball cards. I could have picked up so many more but I'd spent most of my money by the time I stopped at his table. This 1982 Alex English was a nice find. I've always loved him as a player. He was so smooth on the court and dude could flat out score.
These 1980 Topps spotlight three greats, and Hall of Famers, from the game. I remember Gilmore more from his Spurs days but man he was a beast. He shot 58% for his career while leading the NBA in shooting percentage six times. Dr. J was, Dr. J. Wes Unseld looks scared right there and he should be. Bill Walton was already past his days with the Trail Blazers on this card but he'll forever be remembered for bringing Portland a championship. And as crazy short his career was he is forever ingrained in the brains of fans across the NBA thanks to his short run with the Celtics.
A couple of PC guys here with Marques Johnson and Jack Sikma. Both these guys would be great today. Johnson was "point forward" before there was such a thing and Sikma could pass and had a sweet mid range jumper. DJ was a guy whose career in Phoenix is mostly forgotten by most fans. Seems like we remember him winning a title for Seattle and of course his run with Boston but he played on some darn good Suns teams.
That Bulls card has some of my all-time favorites in Gilmore and Theus while another is on that Atlanta card in Dan Roundfield. They all bring back so many memories.
Sweet Lou Hudson is gracing the front of a 1977 Topps card as is Billy Knight there. Dan Roundfield is on a 1978 card in his pre-Hawks days. Some fun finds. If I'd known what this guy had to begin with (these binders were behind the table) I could have spent all of my money there pretty easily.
These tall boys are hard to store but still a favorite of mine.
Don't you just love it when dealers have stuff behind, or even better, underneath, their tables? The '81-82 is one of my all-time favorites. I've already completed it, and if I didn't have enough other stuff to collect, I'd probably end up building a 2nd and 3rd set of it.
ReplyDeleteThose 81-82 are definitely one of my favorite sets from the era. I seem to bring some of those home anytime I see them. Congrats on building the set!
DeleteThe 1981-82 set is a favorite of mine as well. One of the first vintage sets I ever got any of, and the first I completed. Lots of great memories there.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a nice set. Like you said there are so many memories there. I had started watching the NBA just a few years prior so all these guys are special in my NBA fandom.
DeleteWhat an awesome batch of b-ball cardboard there! Great pick-ups.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThat 1981-82 Topps basketball sets is awesome... and affordable. Solid design and checklist.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. Hard not to pick those cards up when I see them.
DeleteVery cool cards! English was one of my favorite players to collect as a kid. I caught the tail end of his career and his stats blew me away.
ReplyDeleteGreat finding other Alex English fans. He was so good and you are so right. I love looking at his stats. They blow you away. He's also just a good dude.
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