Great Rookie Cards (Part 2)

#29 1974 Topps George Gervin

George “The Iceman” Gervin one of the best nicknames for one of the best scorers in NBA history. Gervin throughout his career won 4 scoring titles and scored over 26,000 points. I'm not sure when the term “Silky Smooth” was used to describe a basketball players game but if I took a guess I'd say it started with Gervin.

#28 1996 Skybox Z-force Kobe Bryant

One of the greatest players in the history of the NBA kicked of his career in LA during the 1996-97 season. 17 seasons later Bryant has become one of the most accomplished players ever winning 5 championships, 4 scoring titles and 15 all-star teams. Kobe to this day is still a joy to watch, hope he has a successful recovery from his ACL this coming season.

#27 1987 Donruss Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson was a dominant 2 sport athlete doing so in both the NFL and MLB. In this edition of Donruss 87 he is pictured in those sweet baby blue Royal uniforms ready to take the baseball world by storm. Bo Jackson was a walking video game.

#26 1989 Score Troy Aikman

The Dallas Cowboys franchise hasn't been “Americas Team” since the Aikman days and for good reason. Aikman was a 6 time pro bowler as well as a 3 time super bowl champion. He was just a winner and will forever be remembered by Cowboy fans everywhere.

#25 1963 Topps Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones was a game changer as far as rushing the quarterback goes. He is sited as the person who coined the term “sack” as in when you hit the quarterback. Deacon was an 8 time pro bowler who accumulated 194.5 sacks in his illustrious career. Redskins hall of fame coach George Allen called Deacon Jones “The greatest defensive end of the modern era”.

#24 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn

Whenever you speak about the sweetest swings in major league history you got to start with “Mr.Padre” Tony Gwynn. Gwynn a 15 time all-star and 8 time batting champion was probably the best left handed contact hitter ever. Over the course of his career he had 338 batting average while never hitting lower then 309. It really pains me that he never won a world series.

#23 1988 O-Pee-Cee Brett Hull

Brett Hull was one hell of a player during his career. 1,391 Points is what Hull collected and he played at a high level no matter where he went whether it was Detroit, Dallas or St. Louis Hull performed at a high level. None higher then when he put a gaudy 86 goals during the 1990-91 season.

#22 1996 Upper Deck Allen Iverson

One of my all-time favorite players in NBA history comes in the form in none other then Allen Iverson. AI changed the NBA just by being himself with his tattoos and corn rolls whether that it was for better or for worse is just a matter of opinion. Iverson an 11 time all-star and MVP in 2000-2001 is one of the most exciting players to ever play the game. There will never be another AI.

#21 1986 Topps Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds is a living walking asterisk. He has hit the most home runs in baseball history but it will never get its proper respect because he cheated the game. Although he refused to sign my baseball when I was a kid I still love and respect Barry Bonds as a baseball player.

#20 1984 Star Hakeem Olajuwon

He wasn't always “Hakeem” but he came into the league as “Akeem” Olajuwon. Regardless of the first name Olajuwon remains one of the greatest centers ever. His footwork is undoubtedly the best we have ever seen. The dream shake is still one of the most effective moves I'm surprised more players don't use it.

Hope you enjoyed the 2^nd part of my 4 part series on great rookie cards in sports history. Stay tuned for part 3 coming up in the next few days. 

The Best Mitchell & Ness NBA Caricature Shirts

Since 1904 Philadelphia based company Mitchell&Ness has been committed to making top of the line vintage sports clothing. The apparel variety ranges from Jerseys to Hats to even scarf's of your favorite teams. Some people like myself can't afford a 300$ vintage jersey of our favorite players so we look for a different alternative that satisfies our hunger to properly represent our favorite teams. I'm obviously a huge NBA fan so a throwback Larry Johnson Jersey is out of the question due to my current economic status but that's where the ever popular caricature t-shirts come in. At only 30$ plus tax caricature shirts pay tribute to some of the NBA's greatest players of yesteryear by cartoonizing every part of them along with your favorite teams logo. So if your NBA fan consider this countdown of caricature shirts your guide for smart purchases of fan apparel...lets get started.

  Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)

Larry Bird won 3 championships in his time with the Boston Celtics and is one of the best players the game has ever seen. If you're a Celtics fan who was a Bird fan and don't have the most money in the world then this shirt is perfect for you.  Mitchell & Ness shirts are comfortable and crafted at a high level. This shirt like many does a great job of painting the picture of what "Larry Legend" looked like when he had more hair and his mustache was thicker.

Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks)

Patrick Ewing never won any championships but was still a great player for the Knicks in his tenure. The Knicks in the 90's boasted one of the most physical front lines ever with guys like Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley and Ewing himself.  This is a great shirt surely you will see a few around Madison Square Garden among Knicks diehards.

Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)

In the 80's the "Showtime" Lakers ran by Magic Johnson changed basketball. Magic was a great passer it almost seemed like he tried to out do his previous years highlight tape every time he stepped onto the floor in the Forum. Great shirt and the fact that this one has no sleeves makes it very suitable for people who live in LA.

Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)

Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is hands down the greatest player in Houston Rockets franchise history. Hakeem on the shirt looks just like him these days. I feel like for any Rockets fan that lived that era of basketball that this is a must have shirt. Hakeem is Houston Houston and just the image of this shirt should conjure visuals of his patented "Dream Shake" move or the back to back championships Houston Captured in the 90's

Shawn Kemp (Seattle Supersonics)

Although Seattle no longer has an NBA team one glimpse  at this shirt of Shawn Kemp should bring smiles and marries of all of the rim rocking dunks he threw down in the green and yellow .This shirt does a great job with details capturing Kemp in his essence all the way down to his Reebok Kamikazes. Kemp along with Gary Payton certainly represented a great time for the city of Seattle in its basketball history. Hopefully they bring back a team.

Dennis Rodman (Chicago Bulls)

In the 90's the Bulls were one of the most iconic teams and Dennis Rodman was one of basketballs most iconic personalities. Many people love the Bulls worldwide so this shirt should appeal to most people who followed the Bulls in the great era of winning. Dennis Rodman was an exceptional re bounder.

Shaquille O'Neal (Orlando Magic)

The Magic in the 90's were one of the most exciting teams with combination of Penny Hardaway and Shaq. In the time he spent in a Magic Jersey Shaq literally brought down the rim and practically broke it in half. Very few things were more entertaining to watch in the NBA than Shaq in the 90's.   

Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)

What makes a great caricature shirt in my opinion is when the person or in this case NBA player's personality or signature style can be depicted through a visual. This shirt does that perfectly Allen Iverson has the headband on, you see the corn rose rolled tight around his head and obviously his signature "let me hear you" hand above the ear move that got the fans in Philly going on many occasions is being displayed on this shirt. Iverson was excited and he did a lot for the Sixers, just wish he would have brought home a championship.

Julius Erving (Philadelphia 76ers)

Dr.J-Julius Erving what more can you say this guy did so much for basketball and is such a big part of the Sixers history and tradition. The afro, the hang time, the dunks he was so ahead of his time. My dad tells me stories about watching the Erving on television as he was growing up so through the years I have grown to respect Julius. I actually own this shirt and its one of my favorite basketball shirts.

Larry Johnson (Charlotte Hornets)

"Grandmama" was a tremendous basketball player, he along with Alonzo Mourning and Muggsy Bouges represents a golden era in Charlotte basketball. The coolest thing outside of the Hornets teal on this shirt is the always recognizable gold tooth LJ had, its featured on the shirt. People loved those Hornets teams and Mitchell and Ness does a great job of making great nostalgic clothing of the Charlotte Hornets. Speaking as a Hornets fan I have this shirt and it is a must have. Looking forward to the Hornets return next year in Charlotte.

All in all these are all great shirts for NBA fans and if you are into sneakers they go really well with many different  Nikes, Reeboks, Jordans and Adidas in terms of matching. So hope you enjoyed the post and use it as a reference if your shopping for quality fan apparel.

Throwback Thursday: Fleer 90 Kevin Johnson

As the Playoffs are happening right now many memorable moments are being made as we speak. One of the Most memorable dunks in the History of the playoffs came when Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns dunked on the Great Hakeem Olajuwon in the 2^nd round of the 1994 Playoffs. The other day I was going through some boxes and I came across this.

I collect mainly baseball but when going through a bunch of scattered  cards I came across this Sweet Kevin Johnson Fleer 90 which didn’t even know that I had so it was a bit of a pleasant surprise. I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for KJ on and off the court for what he did on the court in Phoenix to what He is doing now as the Mayor in Sacramento. I think what he has done for basketball from both sides of the spectrum warrants some Hall of Fame consideration. All in all this is a sweet card and only the 2^nd base card in the Fleer 90 set I have besides Muggsy Bouges.