Great Rookie Cards (Part 3)

#19  1984 Topps Dan Marino

Dan Marino is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, some might even say the greatest of all-time. Marino was known for his precision on offense and lightning quick release. His tools at the quarterback position allowed him to lead the league in passing 5 times while throwing for 420 career touchdowns which currently puts him 3rd all-time among quarterbacks.

#18 1954 Topps Hank Aaron

Still regarded as "The Homerun King" to many baseball fans Hank Aaron had a knack for putting the ball over the fence. He hit 755 homeruns which places him just 2nd all-time behind only Barry Bonds (Who took steroids). His homeruns where never these long majestic bombs we see guys like Chris Davis or Miguel Cabrera hit but they got the job done.

#17  1966 Philadelphia Dick Butkus

8 times a pro bowler and regarded as one of the greatest line backers to ever play the game Dick Butkus left his mark all over the game of football. Before there was Brian Urlacher or Ray Lewis the NFL had Dick Butkus and he was mean. In 1979 the long time Chicago Bears standout was inducted into the football hall of fame in Canton,Ohio.

#16 1998 Upperdeck Authentic Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is an incredible leader of men on the field, an extension of the head coach on the field if you will. In terms of pure talent and knowing X's and O's i'm not sure you can do much better than Peyton Manning. He has had some tremendous season in the past but the group of receivers he has in Denver this season may be the best he has ever had.

#15 1955 Topps Harmon Killibrew

573 Homeruns is what Harmon Killibrew collected while playing in the major leagues.  During his tenure he led the league 6 times in Homeruns. Whether with the Twins or Senators he was always and a productive, powerful guy. Killibrew was elected to the hall of fame in 1984.

#14 1989 Upperdeck Ken Griffey Jr.

I don't like to compare players from different eras but in the 1990's Ken Griffey jr was a modern day, left handed version of Willie Mays. More importantly he did things the right way in an era where so many players earned an asterisk next to your name. Griffey was a true 5 tool player and that's very rare in baseball.

#13 1972 Topps Julius Erving

before he captured the imagination of basketball fans in New York and Philadelphia Julius Erving played his rookie season in the ABA for the Virginia Squires. He was Jordan before Jordan taking the high flying above the rim style and bringing it to the forefront of mainstream. He also made the dunk contest popular with his very basic but very hard free throw line dunk. DR.J was the kind of guy you wanted to be the pioneer of a sport trying to grow.

#12 2000 Topps Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera by the age of 15 was playing pro baseball and was signed by the Florida Marlins. Fast forward a decade and some change later and he is undeniably the best player in baseball and has collected a World Series ring, MVP and a triple crown. At the rate he is going he may be the best hitter of this generation.

#11 1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain was the most physically imposing player of his time. Looking at the back of his basketball card at his stats would make you question if he was even real in the first place. As we all know he still holds the single game record for points in a game with 100.

Hope you enjoyed part 3 of this series stay tuned for the top 10 great rookie cards in sports history coming up in the next few days. Thank you for reading and follow us on Twitter @TruSchoolSports and @ThatBoyBtaylor.

5 Players Who Would Have Benefited From Having A 3-Point Line

The NBA game has changed over the last 3 decades in the way it is played. With the institution of the 3-point line during the 1979-80 season basketball would change forever. Many players didn't get to play in the NBA with the 3 point line so this begs me to ask the question “which players pre 3 point line era would have benefited from having played in the league with one”. So let me give you my top 5 players.

#5 Sam Jones

Sam Jones is one of the greatest Boston Celtics of all-time and he was the 1^st of his breed. A 6-5 shooting guard with tremendous athleticism some have even said he revolutionized the position. Back in his playing days there was no 3 point line and basketball was much more slower and compact in terms of pace and floor spacing. Jones playing with the edition of the 3 point line would have created more opportunities to exploit the opposition with his size and athleticism by creating more situation for Jones to cut to the basket which would up his scoring average. Either way he is still a hall of famer.

#4 Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt was the most dominant and physically imposing player of his day. How ever an underrated aspect was his passing as he averaged 4.4 assists on his career which is a lot for a big man. Wilt playing in the new era of NBA basketball with a 3 point line would be incredibly beneficial to his game and team contribution which was already very high. Wilt would still have the offense being run through him but with shooters on his team and 3 point shots being worth more it would draw more double teams and create better ball movement which would in turn only benefit Wilt's already astronomically high statistics.

#3 Jerry West

Ranked 16^th in scoring all time in NBA history Jerry West was a prolific scorer with 25,192 points in his career. 13 of his 14 seasons he averaged 20+ points per game on 9.7 field goals made. To put into perspective Lebron James had 10.1 field goals made which led the league this past year. Had West played in the NBA with a 3 point line his points per game number might have been even higher then it currently is now. He would also have more chances to be even higher on the scoring list with more chances on the perimeter and better floor spacing.

#2 Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor brought playing above the rim to the NBA and scored over 23,000 points in his career. During his time he was one arguably the most athletic forward in basketball. So with his ability to get to the rim playing in the league would have greatly benefited Baylor just creating more open looks for him.

#1 Oscar Robertson

Considered by some to be the greatest basketball player who ever lived playing in the NBA with a 3 point line benefits Oscar Robertson more then anybody else. Check the stats this guy is statistically off the charts. Consider this looking at “The Big O” stats they didn't count two dribble assists or kick out for jump shot assists. If they had he would have averaged a triple double 7 straight years. With the better floor spacing that a 3 point line offers Oscar Robertson would not only have more assists But would also up his scoring his average. The way you see the Miami Heat building around a player like Lebron James is the same way the Royals or the Bucks would build around Oscar playing to his strengths which is only going to increase his numbers and would also increase the discussion for him as the greatest players of all-time.