#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 2nd 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.
