Larry Bird and Magic Johnson famously met first in the 1979 NCAA Final Four championship game in Salt Lake City. Magic and Michigan State spoiled Larry’s Indiana State team’s perfect season, handing the Sycamores their only loss. When these two stars met that historic Monday night in the NCAA Finals it was a seismic event in basketball history, and to this day remains the highest rated televised game in college basketball history.
Thankfully the basketball gods were not done. As Larry and Magic moved on to the NBA the next season their rivalry continued with Bird in east coast Boston Celtics green and Johnson in west coast Los Angeles Lakers purple and gold. For the next decade they competed for championships, MVP awards and in debates about the game’s greatest all-around player.
It is only fitting these two basketball icons are also connected in their rookie card, the special 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leaders gem, which features the pairing of Bird and Johnson flanked Julius Erving. Yes, as if Bird and Magic aren’t enough, the legendary “Dr. J” joins them on this treasured card!
The Topps 1980-81 set is distinct for its perforated design, so the card can be separated into three individual cards, which some collectors did. However, these individual cards are worth a tiny fraction of full three-panel cards. This particular card be quite elusive in high-grades due to centering issues or the occasional bothersome print marks that sometimes show up.
This one of the most sought after cards in the hobby, a “must have” in any serious card collection. Presented here is an outstanding PSA NM-MT 8. Time to add one to your collection?