Author: becketteditorial

#20 Denver Nuggets

by becketteditorial

The Nuggets long and winding history in the ABA and NBA can be traced through their varied colors, logos and uniform combinations.

From the early days of the ABA’s Denver Rockets in their black, orange and white to the Nuggets’ cartoonish “Maxie the Miner” logo to the David Thompson-era plain dark blue jerseys, the Nuggets changed jerseys and names several times in the ABA and early NBA days. Thompson was the first true superstar for the team with his spectacular dunks and high scoring ability.

The 1980s belonged to Alex English, one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history and undoubtedly the best player in Nuggets history. English wore the “Rainbow City” Nuggets jerseys that resembled a game of Tetris.

The 1990s brought a more toned-down look to the franchise, most notably seen in the iconic images of Dikembe Mutombo celebrating the Nuggets incredible first round upset of the No. 1 seeded Seattle Supersonics in 1994.

The powder blue jerseys of the 2000s came around at the same time as the iconic Carmelo Anthony, who lit up the NBA for the better part of a decade in Denver with his dynamic scoring ability.

Now the team has returned to a more understated dark blue as it’s main color, but they boast several alternate jerseys which harken back to the colorful days of the past.

Check out the Nuggets lineup and click on the card of each player to see if it is available for purchase in the Beckett Marketplace.

#21 Indiana Pacers

by becketteditorial

Pacers fans booed when Indiana made Reggie Miller the 11th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. It would become the most important decision in the history of the Indiana Pacers franchise.

Fans had wanted Indiana Hoosiers star Steve Alford, not the kid from UCLA. Alford would go on to score 744 career points in four seasons. Miller scored 822 his rookie season alone, en route to becoming the Pacers career leader in just about every offensive category. He’s now an Indiana icon after a career in which he changed the way the NBA viewed three-point shooting. He also took the Pacers to the playoffs several times where his clutch performances (and trash-talking with Spike Lee) cemented his place in NBA history.

Helping him on those teams in the 1980s and 1990s was 7-foot-4-inch Rik Smits. The Dunking Dutchman was a consistent No. 2 for Miller, putting up points and grabbing boards. They would eventually win the Eastern Conference in the 1999-2000 season.

Pacers fans booed when Indiana made Reggie Miller the 11th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. It would become the most important decision in the history of the Indiana Pacers franchise. 

Fans had wanted Indiana Hoosiers star Steve Alford, not the kid from UCLA. Alford would go on to score 744 career points in four seasons. Miller scored 822 his rookie season alone, en route to becoming the Pacers career leader in just about every offensive category. He’s now an Indiana icon after a career in which he changed the way the NBA viewed three-point shooting. He also took the Pacers to the playoffs several times where his clutch performances (and trash-talking with Spike Lee) cemented his place in NBA history.

Helping him on those teams in the 1980s and 1990s was, among others, 7-foot-4-inch Rik Smits. The Dunking Dutchman was a consistent No. 2 for Miller, putting up points and grabbing boards. They would eventually win the Eastern Conference in the 1999-2000 season.

Before Miller’s time, the Pacers were the best team in the ABA, winning three titles in the nine years of the league. Those teams were led by players such as Mel Daniels, George McGinnis and others. 

In the 2000s, Indiana would feature stars like Jermaine O’Neal, Danny Granger and Paul George. 

Check out the lineups below and click on each card to see if it’s available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace.

Before Miller’s time, the Pacers were the best team in the ABA, winning three titles in the nine years of the league. Those teams were led by players such as Mel Daniels, George McGinnis and others.

In the 2000s, Indiana would feature stars like Jermaine O’Neal, Danny Granger and Paul George.

Check out the lineups below and click on each card to see if it’s available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace.


#22 Brooklyn Nets

by becketteditorial

The Nets have had four locations, two nicknames, two leagues, and eight different home arenas in their 50-plus seasons in existence.

Founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association, the New Jersey Americans were relocated to Long Island and renamed the New York Nets before their second season. They would join the NBA in 1976 and the next season they moved back to New Jersey and remained the New Jersey Nets until their move to Brooklyn in 2012.

In the midst of all the changes the Nets have fielded some superstars, most notably Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Dr. J was the man who brought dunking into the mainstream, but he was also much more than that. Erving is the ABA/NBA career points leader. He led the Nets to the 1974 and 1976 ABA titles, the only two championships in Nets history.

But the team had a great run of success several decades later under the leadership of one of the best point guards of all time, Jason Kidd. They made two -straight NBA Finals trips in 2001-02 and 2002-03. A triple-double machine, Kidd made a habit of dishing it to his teammates, often in spectacular fashion. A man who was often on the receiving end of those passes was Vince Carter, who is one of the few players in NBA history that could challenge Dr. J for the title of greatest dunker ever.

Check out the Nets full lineup below and click on each player’s card to see if their card is available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace.

#23 Los Angeles Clippers

by becketteditorial

Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers moved to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984.

After the move to LA the franchise had its struggles, but things began to look up with the selection of Danny Manning with the first overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. He was an All-Star and helped lead the Clippers to their first playoff appearances in Los Angeles.

The best era in the Clippers’ history was actually in this current decade. The fortunes of the franchise were turned around when they added Chris Paul via trade and drafted Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. That core of players formed what came to be known as “Lob City.” With Paul’s ability to spread the ball around the floor and Griffin and Jordan’s size and athleticism, the Clippers became the hottest ticket in town. Everyone wanted to see these high flyers in action. They would win two division titles and be perennial playoff contenders from 2011-2017.

But Paul, Griffin, and Jordan weren’t the only stars that played for the Clippers. The early 2000s saw the freakishly athletic Corey Maggette. He would help lead the Clippers to their first playoff series victory since the team moved from Buffalo.

Check out the rest of the Clippers lineup and click on the cards below to see if they are available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace.

#24 Milwaukee Bucks

by becketteditorial

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the current kings of the basketball card collecting world. The “Greek Freak” is one of the best and most versatile players in the NBA and he’s still only 24-years-old. Antetokounmpo’s potential is sky high and his cards are highly sought-after as NBA fans know that he could end up as one of the best players in NBA history.

Bucks’ fans should know what it’s like watching legendary players suit up for them, as they’ve been fortunate enough to have watched several legends play in Milwaukee. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the best players in the history of the league, began his career in Milwaukee. But it was when Abdul-Jabbar was teamed up with triple-double machine and fellow future Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson that the Bucks reached the top of the NBA. With Abdul-Jabbar, Roboertson and the high-scoring Bob Dandridge, the Bucks won the 1970-71 NBA title in dominating fashion.

After Robertson retired and Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Lakers, the Bucks needed a new leader. Fortunately for them, that leader arrived in 1979 in the figure of Sidney Moncrief. Moncrief was one of the best defenders in the league, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards and making several All-Star teams. He took the team to seven-straight division titles.

After Moncrief came the “Big Dog” Glenn Robinson who starred for the Bucks in the 1990s. Robinson played alongside a young Ray Allen, who would become one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history. Check out the lineup below and click each player’s card to see if their card is available on the Beckett Marketplace.

#25 Orlando Magic

by becketteditorial

When most people think of the Orlando Magic two names come to mind: Penny and Shaq.

Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway brought the Magic to their highest level of success in the mid-1990s. Along with the great play of teammates Nick Anderson and Horace Grant, Penny and Shaq led the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. The dynamic duo were some of the biggest draws in the entire NBA, with Shaq’s never-before-seen combination of size, strength and athleticism combined with Hardaway’s scoring and assisting ability, the Magic were hard to stop.

The guy many thought would be the second coming of Shaq arrived in Orlando in 2004. Dwight Howard was built like Shaq, except he was even more athletic. Howard had the best years of his career in Orlando, winning numerous awards, setting records and becoming one of the most popular players in the league.

Howard led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. Star PG Jameer Nelson was hurt for most of that playoff run, which was unfortunate as he was having one of the best seasons of his 10-year career for the Magic.

But in between the Shaq/Penny and the Dwight Howard/Jameer Nelson eras, the Magic were led by one of the best scorers in league history. Tracy McGrady only played four seasons in Orlando, but they were some of the most important in his career as he finally fulfilled his superstar potential and became one of the best players in the entire NBA.

Check out the Magic’s team and click each player’s card in the slideshow to see if you can buy their card on the Beckett Marketplace.

No. 26 Toronto Raptors

by becketteditorial

The Raptors, like most NBA teams, have been defined by their superstars through the years.

Founded in 1995, their first big star was 1996 Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire. And, while Stoudamire was really good, nothing compares to the stardom level that Vince Carter was able to reach. Carter played for the Raptors from 1998-2004 and reached stratospheric levels of stardom after the iconic 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. 

When Carter’s time came to an end, the Raptors were searching for a new star, and he came their way in the form of Chris Bosh. Bosh resembled Kevin Garnett is his build and style of play. He became the Raptors best player, team leader and perennial All-Star for almost a decade.

And then, when Bosh left and Toronto was once again looking for a star and leader, they ended up with two: DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The duo would lead Toronto to the playoffs consistently, and even help them to the best record in the Eastern Conference. 

The Raptors may be the team of Kawhi Leonard now, but the icons before Kawhi are the guys who built the franchise into what it is today. 

Click each card in the slide show to see if it’s available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace!



No. 27 Minnesota Timberwolves

by becketteditorial

The Timberwolves were founded in 1989, but the most important event in team history happened in 1995 with the arrival of Kevin Garnett.

Drafted directly out of high school, Garnett changed the history of the franchise and brought them to heights they had never reached before. With the future Hall of Famer leading the way, the Timberwolves made the playoffs several times, but it was the 2003-04 season that lives long in the memory of Wolves’ fans. Garnett won the NBA MVP and the Wolves won their first two playoff series in history, advancing all the way to the Western Conference finals.

That team wasn’t all about Garnett either, Wally Sczcerbiak, for example, was a great scorer. After the Garnett era ended, Minnesota was searching for a new superstar and they found him with Kevin Love. Love was a great three-point shooter and rebounder, recording 53-straight double-doubles, an NBA record.

Love would eventually be traded to the Cavs, but in the trade the Wolves acquired Andrew Wiggins, who, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, is helping to lead the team into the future.

Check out the cards and bios for all the players on the team below and click on the cards to see if they are available for purchase on the Beckett Marketplace.

No. 28: New Orleans Pelicans

by becketteditorial

Coming on the heels of team No. 28 the Charlotte Hornets, it’s only appropriate that team No. 28 is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans came to New Orleans from Charlotte as the Hornets in 2002 and played under that name until 2013 when they chose their more state-appropriate nickname.

The Pelicans have been marked by two distinct eras in their nearly two decades in New Orleans. The first era consisted of the Chris Paul-David West years, with Paul leading the team as one of, if not the, best point guards in the league. He was the fourth pick of the 2005 NBA Draft and was immediately a star, leading the team into a new time of success. Paul was aided by the post play and leadership of David West. Together, the two were voted captains and took the team to several playoff appearances.

Paul and West eventually moved on, but New Orleans’ fortunes would change with the first overall pick in the 2012 Draft. With that first pick they chose Anthony Davis, who has been one of the best players in the entire NBA since being drafted. His rookie cards were highly sought-after at the time and continue to increase in value and popularity with each additional award that Davis picks up for his incredible play.

Check out Paul, West, Davis and the other players on the team and click on each card to see if it can be purchased on the Beckett Marketplace!

No. 29 Charlotte Hornets

by becketteditorial

The history of the Charlotte Hornets is one of the more confusing in professional sports. Originally founded in 1988 as the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise played in North Carolina until 2002 when they moved to New Orleans to become the New Orleans Hornets. Then, in 2004 a new franchise was established in Charlotte called the Bobcats. The Bobcats played under that name in Charlotte while the Hornets remained the name of the New Orleans team until 2013 when New Orleans renamed themselves the Pelicans. This freed Charlotte up to reclaim the Hornets name and, as part of the deal, the history of the franchise from 1988-2002.

So, that could have made this lineup somewhat complicated, but with the history of the franchise belonging to the modern Charlotte Hornets it ended up being fairly straightforward. We picked players from the Charlotte Hornets circa 1988-2002, the Bobcats from 2004-2013 and the current Hornets from 2013 on.

The 1990s were a good time for the Hornets with star players like Glen Rice, Dell Curry, Muggsy Bogues and Larry Johnson. The Bobcats era was less successful, despite the post play of Emeka Okafor and the emergence of star Gerald Wallace. These days, the team relies on superstar Kemba Walker, who keeps improving year over year.

Click on the card image in the slider to see if it’s available on the Beckett Marketplace.