The 1990s: What a time it was for hoop fans! That era marked a pinnacle of sorts, one that culminated in the Dream Team — a world-class collection of NBA stars who suited up for the 1992 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
In the early ’90s, the NBA was riding the crest of its explosive growth during the previous decade. Legions of passionate fans began watching the game.
The hobby, already experiencing a surge of vintage and contemporary baseball collectors, also was enjoying an influx of basketball-focused buyers and sellers. And it made sense that these collectors found themselves stirred by Dream Team memorabilia. More on that in a minute. First, let’s review the events leading up to the Dream Team’s unprecedented roster.
BIRD VS. MAGIC
The arrival of Larry Bird in Boston and Magic Johnson in Los Angeles for the 1979-80 NBA season was momentous and pivotal. The pair’s spirited rivalry in the 1980s was the driving force behind the NBA’s escalating popularity. The “Bird and Magic” glory days saw pro basketball progress from being simply a major U.S. sport to international theater.
The NBA already had a crew of established stars entertaining fans. There was Julius “Dr. J” Erving and his high-flying dunks. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and those unstoppable sky hooks. Walt Frazier and his on-court cool. Pete Maravich and his passing wizardry. Bob Lanier, Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone and their
