TOP TEN 1986-87 FLEER BASKETBALL

There was a chunk of time in the 1980s when basketball cards werenʼt widely distributed. 1986-87 Fleer Basketball changed that. This is one of the most important sports cards sets of all-time, not just its era. Part of that is because of circumstance. 1981-82 Topps Basketball was the companyʼs last for that sport until the 1990s. That meant a huge chunk of the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball checklist consists of Rookie Cards - and itʼs one of the strongest youʼll ever find. Legends and Hall of Famers include Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing. Oh, yeah; and the Michael Jordan RC - one of the most iconic cards of any generation. Between the 132-card main checklist and 11 stickers, which are the most valuable 1986-87 Fleer Basketball cards? Itʼs time to count them down.

SPECIAL MENTION: 198687 FLEER JOHNNY MOORE #76

Under normal circumstances, the 1986-87 Fleer Johnny Moore is a common. However, itʼs widely believed to be the toughest card to find in top condition. So when a BGS 9.5 or PSA 10 surfaces, those chasing Gem Mint sets jump on it. On multiple occasions PSA 10 copies of this card have topped $10,000. Before you get your hopes up, though, those prices are for top graded copies, not raw ones.

10. 1986-87 FLEER CHRIS MULLIN RC #77

Chris Mullinʼs career was a fairly quiet one — especially considering heʼs been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once as a player and another as a member of the 1992 Dream Team. Mullin also won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Unlike a lot of players in 1986-87 Fleer Basketball, Mullin doesnʼt have any earlier cards from Star. This is his first cardboard appearance.

6. 1986-87 FLEER HAKEEM OLAJUWON RC (AKEEM) #82

Hakeem Olajuwon is regarded as one of basketballʼs best centers of all-time. Born in Nigeria, he was the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, which was ahead of Charles Barkley, John Stockton and even Michael Jordan. It took a while but Olajuwon helped lead the Rockets to a pair of NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995 where he was also named the MVP of both Finals.

5. 1986-87 FLEER PATRICK EWING RC #32

Olajuwon isnʼt the only great center to have a Rookie Card in 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. Thereʼs also Knicks legend Patrick Ewing. Following a stellar college career with the Georgetown Hoyas, Ewing was the first pick in the 1985 draft. He was the face of the franchise for more than a decade, averaging 20 points of more per game in his first 13 pro seasons.

4. 1986-87 FLEER KARL MALONE RC #68

Karl Malone never brought an NBA Championship to Utah (or that one season with the Lakers), but he was still one of basketballʼs most dominant players that was made even better paired with John Stockton. Malone was named the NBA MVP in 1997 and 1999, he was an All-Star 14 times and won gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

9. 1986-87 FLEER LARRY BIRD #9

This isnʼt Larry Birdʼs Rookie Card, but with so many gaps with traditionally distributed NBA cards, itʼs one of his first. So youʼve got one of the most popular players of all-time, an early issue in a classic set. The result is a base card thatʼs worth a lot more for an ʼ80s athlete in the middle of his career.

8. 1986-87 FLEER DOMINIQUE WILKINS RC #121

You donʼt get the nickname The Human Highlight Film by simply playing well. Thatʼs part of it but thereʼs a certainly level of flash that needs to come with it. The nine-time All-Star and two-time Slam Dunk Champion had no shortage of flash.

7. 1986-87 FLEER CLYDE DREXLER RC #26

Clyde Drexler got the Portland Trail Blazers close to an NBA title but it wasnʼt until the last part of his career with the Houston Rockets that the Glide finally won one. Throughout his playing days, Drexler was respected by both his peers and fans. He was a ten-time All-Star and a member of the 1992 Dream Team as well.

3. 1986-87 FLEER CHARLES BARKLEY RC #7

Even in retirement, Charles Barkley continues to get his name out there. Charismatic on the court, he has brought that personality to broadcasting. Keep your name in the headlines, even for strange comments, and you maintain a level of relevancy. Combine that with being one of basketballʼs greatest of all-time — even without the championship ring — and youʼve got one of the top cards in basketballʼs best sets.

2. 1986-87 FLEER STICKERS MICHAEL JORDAN #8

By no means cheap, the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan sticker is still more affordable than his Rookie Card. Stickers were inserted one per pack and with just 11 in the set, the quantity should be similar to the cards. For those chasing top-condition versions of the stickers, centering is a consistent issue with a lot of them. Thereʼs also wax stains to contend with.

1. 1986-87 FLEER MICHAEL JORDAN RC #57

Itʼs not the rarest card, but the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan RC is the most famous. The card is so popular it fetches significant sums no matter the condition. Susceptible to fakes, graded versions are the way to go unless itʼs coming from a dealer you know and trust. But theyʼre probably going to be selling graded versions themselves knowing the card is a frequent target for forgers.