I was looking through this set tonight and started thinking about the photography. I remember reading years ago about how the pictures were taken at the Great Western Forum in games versus either the Clippers or Lakers. So I started looking at the cameo (background) players. I noticed a whole lot of Kareem and Marques Johnson. Which made me think about the movie White Men Can't Jump. Marques Johnson makes an appearance in the movie as Raymond - the guy who robs the liquor store.
Flipping through the cards (I am only missing the Jordan RC) I noticed Junior Bridgeman in the background. Bridgeman and Johnson were traded to the Clippers from my Milwaukee Bucks in September of 1984. I was a huge fan at that time and remember it vividly. No big deal until I get to the card of Otis Birdsong.
The Birdsong picture was not taken in Los Angeles. But rather New Jersey against the Bucks. The cameo player is Junior Bridgeman. Weird since Bridgeman last played for the Bucks during the 83-84 season. The 86-87 set photos should have been taken during the 85-86 season. So this photo was at least 3 seasons old.
Ok so now I was on a search to find out if other photos were not taken in LA. I did not find any in the set. So I checked the stickers. What do I find there? The Jordan sticker was also taken in New Jersey. Interesting, Jordan was not in the NBA yet when Junior Bridgeman played for the Bucks in New Jersey. Although Bridgeman did play 1 more game for the Bucks in New Jersey in 1987 when he was brought back to finish his career.
Just for giggles I pulled up the Jordan rookie card picture online since I do not have that card. Turns out that picture was also taken in New Jersey.
So the Jordan pics might make sense. Jordan broke his foot in the 3rd game of the 85-86 season and only played 18 games, none in LA. The 4th game was in Los Angeles against the Clippers. He was on his way to being a superstar and Fleer must have wanted him in the set. So they got the photos from his return at the end of the season (I assume this because the sticker photo clearly shows him wearing "Air Jordans" which were released during 1985). In the photo on the sticker the cameo player is Otis Birdsong. Birdsong whose own card has a photo from 3 years prior. I can not figure out the cameo player in Jordans RC photo.
Not sure what any of this has to do with anything, but I found it interesting.
If you have anything to contribute I would love to hear it. I tried searching to see if I could find a blog entry that talked about this, but did not find any.
Here are some scans.
Flipping through the cards (I am only missing the Jordan RC) I noticed Junior Bridgeman in the background. Bridgeman and Johnson were traded to the Clippers from my Milwaukee Bucks in September of 1984. I was a huge fan at that time and remember it vividly. No big deal until I get to the card of Otis Birdsong.
The Birdsong picture was not taken in Los Angeles. But rather New Jersey against the Bucks. The cameo player is Junior Bridgeman. Weird since Bridgeman last played for the Bucks during the 83-84 season. The 86-87 set photos should have been taken during the 85-86 season. So this photo was at least 3 seasons old.
Ok so now I was on a search to find out if other photos were not taken in LA. I did not find any in the set. So I checked the stickers. What do I find there? The Jordan sticker was also taken in New Jersey. Interesting, Jordan was not in the NBA yet when Junior Bridgeman played for the Bucks in New Jersey. Although Bridgeman did play 1 more game for the Bucks in New Jersey in 1987 when he was brought back to finish his career.
Just for giggles I pulled up the Jordan rookie card picture online since I do not have that card. Turns out that picture was also taken in New Jersey.
So the Jordan pics might make sense. Jordan broke his foot in the 3rd game of the 85-86 season and only played 18 games, none in LA. The 4th game was in Los Angeles against the Clippers. He was on his way to being a superstar and Fleer must have wanted him in the set. So they got the photos from his return at the end of the season (I assume this because the sticker photo clearly shows him wearing "Air Jordans" which were released during 1985). In the photo on the sticker the cameo player is Otis Birdsong. Birdsong whose own card has a photo from 3 years prior. I can not figure out the cameo player in Jordans RC photo.
Not sure what any of this has to do with anything, but I found it interesting.
If you have anything to contribute I would love to hear it. I tried searching to see if I could find a blog entry that talked about this, but did not find any.
Here are some scans.
