As Michael Jordan hung it up for the second time, the 1998 Higher Deck basketball set paid homage to the Chicago Bulls icon in a giant method.
Jordan appeared on the duvet artwork of Sequence 1 containers.
He was additionally on the field cowl artwork of Sequence 2, identified solely as “MJ Entry.”
Higher Deck produced 23 completely different variations of card #230.
Collectors might discover a particular retirement card numbered “UDX” inserted at one in eleven packs.
You get the purpose…
For the second time within the Nineteen Nineties, there was a monumental shift within the NBA as Michael Jordan retired to pursue different pursuits.
However with that shift got here a brand new wave of future stars, lots of which have rookie playing cards on this set.
So, with MJ on his method out, the guidelines additionally celebrated new beginnings.
And on this information, we take a look at the 15 most respected.
Let’s get began!
1998 Higher Deck #320 Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $325
Issues obtained began on the unsuitable foot for Dirk Nowitzki throughout his rookie season.
It would not get an excessive amount of simpler from there.
When the Dallas Mavericks dealt the rights to Robert “Tractor” Taylor on draft evening for the German energy ahead/heart, Dallas followers showered the take care of boos.
It was a distinct time when tape on worldwide gamers was fairly restricted, particularly to the general public.
Nowitzki was unknown, and Mavs followers have been cautious of a possible bust.
Naturally, Nowitzki’s confidence dipped.
“One 12 months earlier, I performed for Wurzburg within the second German division — now I used to be there with the very best gamers on this planet,” he defined. “I wasn’t certain I belonged there, if I’d make it. The primary 12 months was brutal in that regard.”
Probably the most evident indicator of Nowitzki’s uncomfortable transition was his protection.
Mavs followers referred to as him Irk Nowitzki, partially as a result of he irritated them throughout his first 12 months and partially as a result of there was no D to his sport.
The offensive numbers have been additionally subpar, with averages of 8.5 factors, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 47 video games (24 begins).
Nowitzki seemed nothing just like the Corridor-of-Famer he’d develop into, and Mavs followers grew stressed with each underwhelming efficiency.
1998 Higher Deck #23 Michael Jordan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $175
First, there was the “Final Dance.”
Then, there was the breakup.
The Chicago Bulls double three-peat dynasty ripped aside on the seams as quickly because the 1999 offseason started.
Scottie Pippen was immovable in his calls for for a big-money deal.
A number of key Bulls contributors have been free brokers and searching for raises of their very own.
And the connection between GM Jerry Krause and head coach Phil Jackson was poisonous and previous salvaging.
The whole lot was the wrong way up, and Michael Jordan wasn’t joyful about it.
Through the Bulls’ last title run, he made it abundantly clear that he wasn’t considering hanging round for a retooled Bulls squad.
“I do not need to begin a battle round right here,” Jordan stated on the finish of his time in Chicago. “The primary motive we accomplish that nicely is Phil Jackson. I will say it once more. I will not play for an additional coach.”
It was throughout as soon as negotiations broke down between Jackson and the Bulls throughout the lockout.
“Bodily, I really feel nice,” Jordan stated throughout his retirement announcement. “However I’ve to make a judgment when it comes to the need, and I can not truthfully say that is going to be there each time I step into this constructing.”
He left the door ajar, although, telling reporters that he’d “by no means say by no means” to a future comeback.
1998 Higher Deck #316 Vince Carter Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $160
Vince Carter’s Rookie-of-the-12 months marketing campaign was a slam dunk…actually.
Drafted fifth total by the Toronto Raptors within the 1998 NBA Draft, Carter’s status as an elite athlete with explosive driving capability materialized as quickly as he touched an NBA court docket.
The North Carolina swingman wasn’t but a knockdown perimeter shooter (28.8% from three) or an S-tier defender (1.4 win shares).
Nevertheless, these have been simply semantics with how vicious Carter was across the rim.
The 22-year-old used an explosive first step and pogo-stick hops to print poster after poster.
As quickly as he noticed a sliver of daylight, Carter rocketed in the direction of the ring and proceeded to dunk on anybody’s head that obtained into his path.
The landslide decide for NBA ROTY concluded the 12 months as a down-ballot MVP candidate with averages of 18.3 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 35.2 minutes per sport.
He was additionally large enterprise for a Raptors franchise in simply its fourth 12 months of existence, each when it comes to ticket gross sales and jerseys flying off the cabinets.
1998 Higher Deck #169 Michael Jordan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $150
1998 Higher Deck #26 Michael Jordan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $100
The “Coronary heart and Soul” subset highlighted two gamers from each workforce thought-about to be the franchise’s basis.
Not surprisingly, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen gained the honors of representing the Chicago Bulls within the subset.
Every card options one participant on the “Coronary heart” aspect of the cardboard, with the opposite taking on the “Soul” aspect on the reverse.
Jordan holds down the red-themed “Coronary heart” aspect whereas Pippen is on the blue-themed “Soul” reverse aspect.
The motion photographs of each NBA legends going up for a rating in heavy visitors fantastically spotlight the essence of each gamers.
Arguably essentially the most potent 1-2 punch in NBA historical past, Jordan and Pippen gained six NBA titles collectively.
Each have been threats on offense.
Each have been lockdown defenders.
Collectively, they introduced a nightmare for opposing groups.
1998 Higher Deck #174/175/310/311
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $100
Even the guidelines playing cards have been reserved for Michael Jordan.
There are 4 in whole, every that includes twin imagery of a smaller motion shot of His Airness superimposed atop a full-length background shot.
Every of the playing cards is well-designed.
Often, guidelines playing cards in trendy merchandise aren’t thought-about to be very fascinating.
However most guidelines playing cards aren’t meant to commemorate one of many largest icons in sports activities historical past.
Whereas they’re clearly not as fascinating as the remainder of the MJ base playing cards on this set, they’ll definitely be way more beneficial in prime situation than base playing cards of different stars and Corridor of Famers.
That is how large MJ was.
1998 Higher Deck #230 Michael Jordan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $100
The “Michael Jordan” subset was merely that: a set of 23 completely different playing cards that paid tribute to the legendary Chicago Bulls celebrity.
Apparently, they have been all card #230, simply with a distinct “a” via “w” designation to separate them.
Many of the playing cards featured remoted motion photographs of Jordan hovering via the air, dribbling, posting up, or capturing, giving collectors a number of probabilities to view their favourite celebrity.
Nevertheless, some playing cards offer you a glimpse of a few of Jordan’s largest rivals within the background, too.
Gamers like Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, John Stockton and others could be seen desperately attempting to cease the relentless scorer.
Whereas the entire playing cards within the subset are fascinating and price respectable cash in prime situation, the “230a” card, proven beneath, is taken into account to be the most well-liked.
The cardboard options Jordan in his trademark pink Bull jersey going up for a straightforward lay-up.
Whereas the fronts of every card are completely different, the reverse sides are all the identical, displaying his profession statistics alongside a headshot of him smiling.
I believe it might’ve been nice if Higher Deck might have made every of the reverse sides its personal distinctive design, highlighting a few of MJ’s most memorable achievements.
1998 Higher Deck #321 Paul Pierce Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $100
The 1998-99 Boston Celtics weren’t constructed to compete.
On reflection, that may have been factor.
When the Celtics grabbed Kansas ahead Paul Pierce with the tenth total decide of the 1998 NBA Draft, it was a legit coup in a deep draft.
Pierce’s two-way skills and singular confidence proved an prompt match for an inexperienced Boston squad.
From day one, the child’s sport and management qualities garnered a respect that many first-year gamers do not obtain.
“Quite a lot of guys have actually been in my nook, so I actually do not feel like a rookie once I’m on the market,” Pierce stated. “All of them have handled me nicely since I have been right here. They have not had me carry the baggage but. It is a younger workforce and everybody will get alongside.”
Boston bowed out of the lockout-shortened playoff race early with an 8-17 begin en path to a 19-31 end.
It was the Celtics’ fourth straight postseason miss.
Regardless of the workforce’s poor document, Pierce’s breakout rookie marketing campaign was a noticeable shot within the arm.
The 21-year-old small ahead completed third within the NBA Rookie-of-the-12 months race, averaging 16.5 factors, 6.4 rebounds (2.4 offensive), 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per sport.
1998 Higher Deck #290 Michael Jordan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $90
The “Freeway 99” subset featured 20 playing cards in Sequence 2 that spanned #290 – 309.
Highlighting a number of the largest stars of the day, every card featured an motion shot of a participant superimposed on a background that contained a big “Freeway 99” street signal.
I assume the subset was meant to function some sort of commemoration to the big-name gamers who would assist lead the NBA heading into 1999 with MJ on his method out.
The subset featured a pleasant mixture of youthful stars like Tracy McGrady and Ray Allen and established vets like David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, and Patrick Ewing.
And despite the fact that he was retired, MJ held the #290 spot.
The reverse of his card states, “One of many biggest performers ever to play within the NBA, Michael Jordan recorded one other award-winning marketing campaign in 1997-98. He captured the League MVP Award for the fifth time in his illustrious profession. He was the MVP of the NBA All-Star for the third time in his profession on February 8, 1998.”
1998 Higher Deck #318 Jason Williams Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $65
“White Chocolate” was as easy as butter in 1998-99.
Chosen seventh total by the Sacramento Kings within the 1998 NBA Draft, Jason Williams had an outsized confidence that belied his comparatively slight 6-foot-1, 190-pound body.
The College of Florida level guard was a wizard of a playmaker who created passing lanes out of skinny air.
And that proved extraordinarily beneficial for a resurgent Kings squad beginning an eight-year playoff streak.
“Jason’s a kind of uncommon guys who sees the complete court docket,” says Kings coach Rick Adelman. “He sees what’s there and what’s about to be there, like John Stockton or Magic or Jason Kidd. He is a really particular, very inventive expertise.”
The 23-year-old child deemed “a stud” by Charles Barkley completed second within the NBA Rookie-of-the-12 months rankings to runaway winner Vince Carter.
He ran the sixth-seeded Kings offense with spectacular precision, averaging 12.8 factors, 6.0 assists, and three.1 rebounds in 36.1 minutes per sport.
He additionally positioned fifth within the Western Convention with 1.9 steals per sport.
1998 Higher Deck #75 Kobe Bryant
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $50
After the departures of Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones, it was lastly Kobe Bryant’s flip to take the wheel in Los Angeles.
The Lakers’ legend-in-waiting spent his first two years as a reserve heading out and in of head coach Del Harris’ doghouse.
As soon as Harris was fired twelve video games into the season, there was no query whose workforce it now was.
Bryant signed a six-year, $70 million extension throughout the 12 months and paid the Lakers again along with his finest all-around efficiency up to now.
The 20-year-old capturing guard earned All-NBA Third Workforce honors with averages of 19.9 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 37.9 minutes per sport.
Nevertheless, the rising working relationship between Bryant and franchise heart Shaquille O’Neal meant extra to the Lakers.
Persona conflicts apart, the massive man/little man combo finely tuned an inside-out partnership that might break the spirits of opposing defenses for years to return.
1998 Higher Deck #331 Peja Stojakovic Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $35
Peja Stojakovic’s journey to the NBA was as outstanding because it comes.
At 13 years outdated, Stokajovic and his household fled to jap Croatia throughout the chaos of the Yugoslav Wars.
With no possessions and nothing to their identify, his household began over brick by brick.
That is when Stojakovic obtained cooking.
Rising to 6-foot-4 by the age of 14, the long run lottery decide tried out for Crimson Star Belgrade’s junior workforce.
He made the reduce and grew into certainly one of Europe’s finest, most unorthodox shooters.
By 1996-97, Stojakovic was a dead-eye shooter and a tireless competitor.
Throughout his time within the Greek League, he emerged as a legit NBA prospect with a vicious aggressive streak.
“Peja by no means backed down from anyone. If it was anyone that was an American, he was able to go,” former Greek League teammate Dean Garrett stated. “He was all the time able to go towards that particular person as a result of he checked out Individuals as being the very best.”
After two years enjoying European professional ball, Stojakovic realized his NBA goals because the 14th total collection of the ’98 NBA Draft.
He did not shoot the lights out in his debut with the Sacramento Kings, nevertheless it was merely a transitional blip for top-of-the-line three-point shooters of the 2000s.
1998 Higher Deck #76 Shaquille O’Neal
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30
The 1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers have been a chaotic precursor to an impending dynasty.
LA had the core items in place for his or her return to championship glory, with crucial being the two-man energy journey of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The issue was the entire shifting items surrounding the duo.
Head coach Del Harris was dumped after an uninspiring 6-6 begin and was changed by former Lakers nice Kurt Rambis.
Dennis Rodman joined the workforce for a topsy-turvy six weeks earlier than he, too, was finally proven the door.
The workforce traded Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell to get O’Neal the shooter he wished (Glen Rice) and a few wanted reinforcements (BJ Armstrong, JR Reid).
Nothing felt settled.
Nevertheless, the 31-19 Lakers nonetheless surged to the West’s #4 seed on the again of the sport’s most dominant heart.
Named to the All-NBA Second Workforce and ending sixth within the NBA MVP race, Shaq averaged 26.3 factors on a league-best 57.6% capturing with 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per sport.
He was simply as transcendent in eight playoff contests, posting a 26.6/11.6 double-double whereas main all gamers with 2.9 blocks per sport.
1998 Higher Deck #313 Mike Bibby Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $30
Vancouver Grizzlies level guard Mike Bibby obtained a uncooked deal throughout his debut 12 months.
It is exhausting sufficient to be a place to begin guard in your rookie season.
The sport comes quick for even essentially the most proficient younger gamers and even quicker if you’re requested to run an offense.
Issue within the lack of preseason video games and the lockout-shortened 1998-99 marketing campaign, and the second total decide of the ’98 Draft was understandably out of step early on.
To his credit score, Bibby by no means let anybody see him sweat.
He stored studying on the job and placing within the work at shootarounds and practices.
The Grizzlies wandered to an 8-42 document, but Bibby’s week-to-week progress made the losses simpler to abdomen.
“He has performed the whole lot you would hope for from a rookie level guard,” Grizzlies coach Brian Hill stated. “He has gone from being somebody individuals have been involved about firstly of the season to somebody who’s so regular that they virtually take him as a right now.”
Bibby landed a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Workforce, averaging 13.2 factors, 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 35.2 minutes per sport.
1998 Higher Deck #94 Kevin Garnett
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $25
You possibly can’t blame Kevin Garnett for the 1998-99 NBA lockout and the complete 1998 NBA preseason and 32 regular-season video games it canceled.
However, his blockbuster six-year, $126 million contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves gave the impression to be the final straw for a annoyed collective of NBA homeowners.
The homeowners sought to reshape the 1995 collective bargaining settlement, particularly the availability that allowed second-year gamers to hunt big-money contract extensions.
They pointed to Garnett’s money haul as proof that one thing needed to change.
The NBA Gamers Affiliation wasn’t having it, although.
And the stalemate between the 2 sides was clear because the season grew nearer.
“There’s no one within the NBA who thought it might be enterprise as standard popping out of that season,” then Portland Path Blazers’ president and GM Bob Whitsitt stated. “If somebody did not count on a lockout for at the least the summer season, they did not actually know what they have been doing.”
Finally, the lockout ended, and the panorama of basketball economics was basically altered.
As for Garnett, he stored his cash and stored balling out at a celebrity degree.
The 22-year-old landed a top-ten MVP end and a Third-Workforce All-NBA spot.
1998 Higher Deck #135 Tim Duncan
Estimated PSA 10 Worth: $25
One thread runs via all 5 of the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA championships.
His identify is Tim Duncan.
Duncan was essentially the most beneficial lottery prize of his (or maybe any) era.
Chosen first total by the Spurs within the 1997 NBA Draft, the Wake Forest big-man was an prompt franchise changer, an all-everything defender with impeccable rebounding instincts and a ready-made offensive sport.
In 12 months one, Duncan took house Rookie-of-the-12 months honors and spurred San Antonio’s 36-game turnaround to 56-26.
In 12 months two, the 22-year-old sensation did himself one higher.
Main the 37-13 Spurs to a #1 seed within the Western Convention, Duncan averaged 21.7 factors, 11.4 rebounds, and a couple of.4 assists in 39.3 minutes per sport.
He paced the league in defensive win shares (4.7) for the second consecutive 12 months and completed third within the Western Convention with 2.5 blocks per contest.
Duncan was the steadiest of superstars.
And he remained predictably elite within the playoffs, main the Spurs to their first-ever title with a dominant 15-2 postseason.
Duncan was named Finals MVP for the primary of 3 times, pushing the Spurs previous the Knicks in 5 with averages of 27.4 factors, 14.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and a couple of.2 blocks a sport.
1998 Higher Deck Basketball Playing cards In Assessment
Seeing Michael Jordan retire for a second time was disappointing for each basketball followers and basketball card collectors.
He was greater than basketball.
He was a cultural icon and nonetheless is.
So it was no shock to see Higher Deck commemorate MJ like they did with this set.
Even with rookie playing cards of Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce and different big-name stars of the day debuting on this set, you possibly can nonetheless really feel the significance of MJ all through the guidelines.
General, I believe the design of the bottom playing cards and the a number of subsets and inserts is nice.
In typical Higher Deck vogue, they mixed unbelievable pictures with modern design.
Clearly, the numerous completely different Michael Jordan playing cards and the big-name rookies are the largest attracts within the set.
However there have been additionally completely different subsets to maintain issues attention-grabbing, together with:
- Coronary heart and Soul
- To the Web
- Rookie Watch
- Michael Jordan ( A – W)
- Freeway 99
Inserts like “Subsequent Wave”, “Tremendous Powers”, “Depth” and extra, additionally gave collectors an amazing amassing expertise.
However no insert is extra coveted than the Michael Jordan Autographed Recreation Jersey playing cards that have been numbered to 23.
These can fetch monumental value tags on at present’s market.
General, Higher Deck did a unbelievable job with this set and it ought to stay one of many prime units of the late 90s for years to return.
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