The NBA was going via an unimaginable transition when the 1999 Topps basketball card set hit retailer cabinets.
Michael Jordan had retired for the second time.
Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson would retire on the finish of the 1999-00 season.
And time was rapidly working out for superstars like Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Karl Malone and John Stockton.
In brief, there was a large change of the guard underway…
Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce and others had been busy carving out the beginnings of their unimaginable legacies.
And among the rookies on this set had stable careers in entrance of them, too.
Shawn Marion, Baron Davis, Elton Model, Ron Artest (Metta World Peace), Steve Francis and Wally Szczerbiak had been All-Stars no less than as soon as.
And then you definately had unimaginable skills like Andre Miller, Corey Maggete, Lamar Odom and Jason Terry.
As you’ll be able to see, there was lots of star energy packed into the 257-card set guidelines.
And on this information, we’ll check out the 15 Most worthy.
Let’s leap proper in!
1999 Topps #125 Kobe Bryant
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $125
The primary yr of Kobe Bryant’s six-year, $70 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers began with six weeks of disappointment.
It ended with the Lakers’ first trophy since 1988.
Bryant suffered a hand damage throughout the preseason that value him the primary 15 video games of the 1999-2000 season.
Los Angeles went 11-4 in his absence regardless, and including the 21-year-old taking pictures guard to the fray solely made them that a lot better.
Bryant improved by leaps and bounds in each side of his sport, incomes a First Group All-Protection and Second Group All-NBA spots for the primary time.
He additionally made his second All-Star workforce and concluded the yr as a down-ballot MVP point out.
His numbers mirrored this evolution.
The fourth-year star set new profession bests in almost each metric you’ll be able to consider, together with factors (22.5 ppg), rebounds (6.3 rpg), assists (4.9 apg), and steals (1.6 spg).
Los Angeles was nonetheless Shaq nation, however Bryant was on his approach to staking his declare.
1999 Topps #23 Shaquille O’Neal
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $60
In 1999-2000, Shaquille O’Neal was as near a cheat code as a participant can get.
Shaq was an excessive amount of drive in too large of a physique for anyone to cease him in 1999-2000.
Whether or not it was his back-and-forth with Kobe Bryant or his skill to tear opposing bigs to shreds in iso conditions, the 27-year-old heart was just about unstoppable.
O’Neal received his second scoring title (29.4) and led the league in field-goal proportion for the third straight season.
He additionally completed second in rebounding (13.6) and topped three blocks per sport (3.01) for the second and final time in his profession.
It was one of the fascinating and dominant seasons of the fashionable period, properly price a near-unanimous NBA MVP and Defensive Participant of the 12 months runner-up.
And it solely acquired wilder within the playoffs.
O’Neal led all playoff performers in scoring (30.7) and rebounding (15.4) whereas taking part in almost 44 minutes per sport in a league-high 23 playoff contests.
He was the end-all, be-all for Los Angeles’ first NBA title in 11 years, capping issues off with an unreal 38.0/16.7 common in his historic Finals MVP efficiency in opposition to Indiana.
1999 Topps #66 Allen Iverson
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $40
Shaquille O’Neal fell one vote shy of turning into the primary unanimous NBA MVP.
That vote went to Philadelphia 76ers taking pictures guard Allen Iverson.
“I picked the man who was probably the most useful to his workforce,” rogue voter Fred Hickman stated. “Philadelphia with out Iverson was a CBA workforce, and if the Lakers did not have Shaq, they’d have nonetheless been a fairly good workforce.”
Shaq bashed the late CNN sports activities journalist for years, nevertheless it’s arduous to fault Hickman for his logic.
Iverson posted the best utilization fee within the league (34.4%) by a large margin.
He made that utilization worthwhile, excelling as a one-man offensive present for an in any other case slight Philly assault that completed twenty fifth in offensive score.
No different participant did extra with much less.
Iverson completed second within the NBA in scoring (28.4 ppg) and took over double the shot makes an attempt (24.8) of his subsequent closest teammate (Toni Kukoc, 10.6).
“The Reply” was typically the one reply the 76ers had, and he singlehandedly dragged Philadelphia to a 49-33 file and the East’s #5 seed.
He could not have been one of the best participant on the planet (see: O’Neal, Shaq), however he was extra vital to his workforce’s success than anybody else within the Affiliation.
1999 Topps #105 Hakeem Olajuwon
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $40
Regardless of battling age and accidents, Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon continued to showcase his enduring brilliance throughout the 1999 season.
At 37 years outdated, Olajuwon averaged 10.3 factors, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per sport whereas taking pictures 45.8% from the sphere.
Although his numbers dipped considerably from his prime, Olajuwon remained a defensive anchor and a mentor for a transitioning Rockets squad that completed 34-48.
On the non-public facet, Olajuwon reached a key milestone on March 9, 2000, when he recorded his 3,000th profession block, turning into the primary participant in NBA historical past to take action.
He additionally surpassed 26,000 profession factors, additional cementing his legacy as one of many sport’s all-time greats.
The season marked his sixteenth yr with the Houston Rockets franchise since they drafted him primary total within the 1984 NBA Draft.
It additionally marked simply the second time (1991-92) throughout these sixteen seasons when the Rockets failed to achieve the playoffs.
He’d return to Houston for yet one more season earlier than ending off his Corridor of Fame profession within the 2001-02 season with the Toronto Raptors.
1999 Topps #121 Tim Duncan
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $40
In solely his third yr within the NBA, Tim Duncan solidified his standing as one of many league’s premier gamers.
His mixture of talent, intelligence, and poise made him a nightmare matchup for opponents.
The 23-year-old energy ahead averaged 23.2 factors, 12.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a couple of.2 blocks per sport whereas taking pictures 49.0% from the sphere.
Duncan’s all-around play earned him All-NBA First Group and NBA All-Defensive First Group honors, marking his third consecutive season attaining each accolades.
Though Sean Elliot missed the primary 4 months attributable to a kidney transplant, the defending champion Spurs raced to a 53-29 file.
Sadly, simply as Elliot was returning, Duncan suffered a late-season damage that stored him out of the playoffs.
With out their chief, the Spurs crumbled within the Western Convention First Spherical in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, dropping in 4.
Nonetheless, Duncan’s brilliance was plain as he continued being a double-double machine, recording 53 on the yr.
1999 Topps #146 Charles Barkley
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $40
Earlier than the 1999-00 NBA season started, Charles Barkley introduced that it will be the ultimate chapter of his legendary profession.
Time was definitely not on Barkley’s facet because the 36-year-old ahead suited up for his fourth season with the Houston Rockets and sixteenth within the NBA.
In 20 video games, “Sir Charles” averaged 14.5 factors and 10.5 rebounds, persevering with his legacy as a double-double machine.
Although his numbers had been a far cry from his MVP prime, Barkley’s grit and dedication remained plain.
Barkley’s season and profession completed in December 1999 when he tore his left quadriceps in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers, his former workforce.
Refusing to let his profession finish on the sidelines, he remarkably returned for one closing sport on April 25, scoring 2 factors and grabbing 3 rebounds in restricted minutes earlier than retiring for good.
This emotional farewell showcased Barkley’s trademark toughness and fervour for the sport.
Although he by no means received an NBA championship, Barkley was an integral piece of the gold-medal-winning USA Males’s groups in Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996.
1999 Topps #82 Paul Pierce
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
After a standout collegiate profession as a Kansas Jayhawk, Paul Pierce wasted no time turning into one of many Boston Celtics’ all-time greats throughout his 1998 rookie season.
Although no one would take the Rookie of the 12 months award from Vince Carter, Pierce’s play was sufficient to complete third within the vote.
And through his sophomore 1999-00 season, “The Reality” grew to become much more plausible.
The rising star took a major leap in his second yr, averaging 19.5 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and a couple of.1 steals per sport.
Pierce’s scoring prowess and clutch performances earned him widespread recognition, although the Celtics struggled to a 35-47 file.
His skill to take over video games was on full show all through the season.
On February 15, 2000, he dropped 38 factors in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers, showcasing his offensive arsenal.
His defensive depth additionally stood out, as he completed tenth within the league in steals per sport.
Pierce’s consistency and management had been brilliant spots for a younger Celtics workforce in transition and a preview for future championship success.
1999 Topps #98 Vince Carter
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
Toronto Raptors small ahead Vince Carter one-upped his 1998-99 NBA Rookie-of-the-12 months season with an All-Star sophomore effort, ending tenth within the MVP voting and with a spot on the All-NBA Third Group.
It was a banner yr for Carter and the Raptors as a franchise.
The 23-year-old was among the many league’s hottest gamers and its fourth-leading scorer (25.7).
He was additionally the pivot level for Toronto from a fledgling fifth-year enlargement franchise to a playoff workforce.
Each a part of Carter’s second season was as productive because it was spectacular.
But, all anyone talks about in hindsight is his iconic efficiency within the 2000 Slam Dunk contest.
“The dunks that he was doing up in right here, man, we had been ‘Oohing’ and ‘Ahhing.’,” Corridor-of-Fame guard Gary Payton stated when requested about his favourite Slam Dunk contest. “It is lots of them, however that one is I feel the most important one.”
Carter already had a fame as one of many fiercest in-game dunkers ever.
But, his inconceivable artistic bag of Dunk contest jams turned him right into a legend and made All-Star Saturday Night time appointment viewing to at the present time.
1999 Topps #114 Richard Hamilton Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
When Rip Hamilton tried to go away UConn after his sophomore season, Jim Calhoun was prepared for him.
The beloved Huskies head coach implored his star taking pictures guard to remain for yet one more yr to spice up his draft inventory and chase a nationwide title.
Calhoun turned out to be proper on the nostril.
After falling within the Elite Eight the yr earlier than, Hamilton and the Huskies surged to this system’s first nationwide title.
Beforehand regarded as a fringe lottery choice in 1998, Hamilton vaulted as much as seventh in 1999 with the Washington Wizards.
“For me, it is the belief issue I had with Coach Calhoun,” Hamilton stated. “Every little thing Coach has ever stated to me got here true, particularly while you reside on this world of basketball, and all people is simply promoting you desires.”
Hamilton did not take a large leap in his first yr in DC, however he gained loads of useful expertise as Mitch Richmond’s backup.
The 21-year-old performed 71 video games (12 begins) for the 29-53 Wizards, averaging 9.0 factors (42.0% taking pictures, 36.4% from three), 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 19.3 minutes per sport.
1999 Topps #120 Shawn Marion Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
Shawn Marion was the wild card of the 1999 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-7 ahead performed in relative anonymity at UNLV and entered the pre-draft course of projected on the road between the primary and second rounds.
After which, groups began internet hosting him for exercises.
Marion rocketed up groups’ charts with jaw-dropping showings in working, leaping, and defensive drills.
He was an athletic freak, which confirmed in all the things he did.
So, when the Phoenix Suns grabbed him with the ninth decide, it was no shock {that a} man beforehand regarded as an also-ran landed within the high ten.
“Our total scouting division was in settlement that if we had been capable of get a man like Shawn Marion (within the draft), we had been going to be very completely happy,” basic supervisor Brian Colangelo stated.
Regardless of lacking 31 video games with a knee damage, Marion performed a pivotal position for the 53-29 Suns.
He performed a lot of the season as a sixth man earlier than transferring into the beginning lineup late within the yr.
He averaged 10.2 factors and 6.5 rebounds in 51 regular-season video games and adopted that up with a close to double-double (9.1/8.8) in 9 playoff contests.
1999 Topps #250 Kevin Garnett
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
Kevin Garnett wasn’t simply intense.
He was as aggressive and unyielding as any participant of the fashionable period.
“He and I agreed by no means to be cool on the court docket,” NBA Corridor-of-Famer Chris Webber stated. “He wasn’t a pretend rah-rah man. An actor, a liar, cannot do this a lot. To cuss your self out that a lot is not doable.”
Garnett went full pace from the opening tip to the ultimate whistle, giving most effort as an elite scorer and an all-world defender.
The outcomes got here and stored coming, particularly throughout the 1999-2000 season.
Making the leap from fringe MVP candidate to the very high of the basketball world, Garnett entered his athletic prime with a large two-way assertion.
He averaged 40.0 minutes for the 50-win Timberwolves, dropping new profession highs in factors (22.9), rebounds (11.8), and assists (5.0) per sport.
He scored at a hyper-efficient clip (49.7% taking pictures, a career-best 37.0% from three) from all three ranges.
He defended these three ranges with the identical success, incomes First-Group All-Defensive honors to go together with his All-NBA First-Group spot.
Shaq could have been the far-and-away selection for NBA MVP, but Garnett was as stable of a runner-up as you are ever going to search out.
1999 Topps #116 Baron Davis Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $25
Now, NBA lottery picks plug in as starters instantly until extenuating circumstances dictate in any other case.
In 1999-2000, that wasn’t a lot of a factor.
Drafted third total by the Charlotte Hornets within the ’99 Draft, Baron Davis was relegated to backup level guard behind seven-year veteran David Wesley.
Whether or not in highschool or at UCLA, Davis had all the time been the man.
Now, he needed to suck it up and take the couple of minutes he was given.
“Again then it was a factor the place irrespective of the place you had been as a rookie, coaches did not play rookies,” Davis stated. “For me, it was the chance to begin being a person, but additionally it was humbling as a result of I used to be taking part in 19 minutes a sport, not more than that.”
Davis performed all 86 video games for the Hornets (82 common season, 4 playoff) however didn’t register a begin.
He performed 18.6 minutes a sport throughout the common marketing campaign (averaging 5.9 factors, 3.8 assists, and a couple of.0 rebounds), earlier than seeing his workload drop to 14.6 minutes per contest in Charlotte’s 3-games-to-1 First Spherical loss to Philadelphia.
1999 Topps #115 Elton Model Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
Some #1 picks could seem to coast on their skills, normally as a result of they’re so good that it appears to be like straightforward.
It by no means regarded straightforward for Elton Model, regardless of how nice he was.
Chosen first by the Chicago Bulls within the 1999 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 large man discovered himself ready that may turn into acquainted over his 17-year profession: the high-efficiency, board-snatching centerpiece of an in any other case terrible workforce.
Model had loads of pure athleticism and brute power to spare, however the spotlight of his sport was how rattling arduous he labored.
The New York native had a tireless motor, whether or not on the offensive glass or bodying an opponent within the put up.
The numbers bore this out throughout his rookie yr.
Model averaged a double-double of 20.1 factors (on 48.2% taking pictures) and 10.0 rebounds (4.3 offensive) to seize co-Rookie-of-the-12 months honors alongside Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis.
“I’ve part of it, part of historical past,” Model stated. “You may’t be dissatisfied about successful Rookie of the 12 months. Even when it is co-winners.”
1999 Topps #118 Steve Francis Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
When Maryland level guard Steve Francis arrived in Houston because the second total decide of the 1999 Draft, he instantly discovered himself within the crosshairs of veteran teammate Charles Barkley.
Barkley acquired on the child instantly, pushing him to come back to the gymnasium early and keep late.
The long run Corridor-of-Famer hounded Francis at each apply and would not let up.
“He did not wish to see me go down the street that he did when he first got here within the league,” Francis recalled. “He instructed me about how Moses Malone and Dr. J had been on his again each single day, and he did not pay attention.”
Francis was initially aggravated by Barkley’s fixed consideration.
Finally, he noticed the benefit.
As soon as all of it clicked, the 22-year-old rapidly blossomed into the sport’s finest rookie guard.
A co-choice for NBA Rookie-of-the-12 months with Chicago Bulls large man Elton Model, Francis averaged 18.0 factors, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 77 video games for the 34-win Rockets.
He was one of many few issues price celebrating in a season through which Hakeem Olajuwon was restricted to 44 video games with a foot damage, and the Rockets missed the playoffs for the primary time since 1992.
1999 Topps #231 Lamar Odom Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
In a season the place the Los Angeles Clippers completed 15-67, there weren’t many brilliant spots for the struggling franchise.
However Lamar Odom was certainly one of them.
Chosen fourth total out of the College of Rhode Island, the 20-year-old ahead rapidly made an affect, averaging 16.6 factors, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per sport.
Odom’s distinctive talent set as a 6’10” playmaker earned him All-Rookie First Group honors and established him as one of many league’s most promising younger skills.
For a participant his dimension, he had an above-average skill to deal with the ball, facilitate the offense, and affect the sport in a number of methods.
The 1999-00 season was just the start of Odom’s impactful NBA profession, throughout which he was nice however by no means fairly an All-Star degree expertise.
Over his fourteen NBA seasons, he almost averaged a double-double (13.3 factors and eight.4 rebounds per sport) whereas incomes the Sixth Man of the 12 months award (2010-11) and grabbing a few rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.
1999 Topps Basketball Playing cards In Evaluate
Had a few of these big-name rookies made it to the Corridor of Fame, this set may get much more love than it does.
And it did not assist that Michael Jordan retired, both.
Nonetheless, there is not any query that there are numerous nice gamers packed into the comparatively small 257-card guidelines.
And if nothing else, you gotta love these orange borders as they offer these playing cards a singular feel and look.
So far as subsets go, there have been a pair:
- Rookies (#111 – 120; 231 – 248)
- USA Males’s Group (#249 – 257)
Total, this set is pretty stable and there is not any query that it was loaded with big-name gamers.
Nonetheless, the truth that none of these rookies ever made it to the Corridor of Fame will all the time be its greatest disadvantage.
Trending Merchandise
