[Chris P]

It's truly fitting that card #23 should feature the man who defines the number 23. The Star Company produced basketball cards (not through packs ,but rather team set bags or insert set bags like this one) during the gap between Topps exiting the basketball card market after the 81-82 season until Fleer came around for the 86-87 seasons. Since the cards weren't distributed normally like other mainstream companies, the cards are considered XRC's. Hall of Famers like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Hakeem Olajuwon and more all had their first cards in Star sets. MJ's is far and away the most expensive and desirable Star rookie which was in the 84-85 set. This card comes from the 85-86 All Rookie Team insert set and it predates Michael Jordan's 86-87 Fleer rookie by a season. That's what I like about this card. You can never go wrong with vintage MJ (I especially really like the old school 80's Bulls jerseys with the cursive font), and the fact that it was issued earlier than his Fleer rookie makes this a very unique card. Also with Star cards, it's important to watch for counterfeits because they are some of the most counterfeited cards in the hobby. That's why I went with a BGS copy, for the piece of mind. Hopefully maybe one day I'll own the 84-85 XRC, but for now, I' don't think it's too bad to own this one!

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