15 Most Valuable 1992 NBA Hoops Basketball Cards

1992 Hoops #30 Michael Jordan

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100

When it comes to fantastic imagery on a basketball card, it doesn't get much better than this.

This image was likely from the Bulls' homestand against the Houston Rockets on December 11, 1992, at Chicago Stadium.

Houston may have gotten the last laugh with a 110 - 96 victory, but collectors will only remember Jordan posterizing Hakeem Olajuwon on this card.

As Houston guards Vernon Maxwell and Kenny Smith watch helplessly in the background, Jordan soars aggressively over Olajuwon for the score.

These kinds of high-flying acrobatics made so many young kids idolize Jordan back then.

And Jordan's popularity itself was soaring higher in 1992.

After helping the USA Men's team win Olympic gold in Barcelona that summer, Jordan entered the 1992-93 season looking for a three-peat as NBA national champions.

On his way to a 7th-straight scoring title, Jordan lit up the scoreboard with 32.6 points per game while playing solidly on both sides of the ball.

In the playoffs, Chicago cruised past Atlanta and Cleveland before butting heads with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

After digging themselves into an 0-2 rut, Jordan and the Bulls regrouped to win the next four and would go on to defeat Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

The three-peat was complete.

1992 Hoops #298 Michael Jordan All-Star

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70

You have to wonder if the person in charge of the design or photography of this set had something against Hakeem Olajuwon.

Not only did Jordan's base card show him posterizing Olajuwon, but his All-Star card did as well.

Maybe it was just a coincidence.

But, again, Olajuwon had the last laugh as he and the West blew out Jordan and the East 153 - 113 in Orlando that day.

Jordan led the East with 18 points on 9-17 shooting and tied Isiah Thomas for the team lead in assists with five.

However, it didn't matter what Jordan or the rest of the team did as the West was just too tough that day.

And they were led by Magic Johnson, who took home MVP honors with 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Though he had officially retired before the 1991 - 1992 season, Johnson made a comeback appearance for the 1992 All-Star Game and took home MVP honors.

1992 Hoops #341 Michael Jordan

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60

Before Michael Jordan and the USA Men's team won gold in Barcelona, Spain in the 1992 Summer Olympics, they first had to qualify for that tournament.

No one had any doubt they'd get in but formalities are formalities.

Along with nine other teams from the Americas, the United States battled for four Olympic-qualifying spots in the 1992 Basketball Tournament of the Americas in Portland, Oregon.

To qualify for the quarterfinals, the United States defeated each of the other four Group A opponents (Argentina, Canada, Cuba, and Panama) by no less than 41.

In the "Knockout Round", the United States defeated Puerto Rico 119 - 81 before finishing off Venezuela in the championship game by a margin of 127 - 80.

These kinds of victories were a precursor to the thumpings the United States Men's team would dish out in the Olympics.

With guys like Michael Jordan on the team, the United States was too overpowering against other countries where basketball was still finding its footing.

1992 Hoops #442 Shaq Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60

Heading into the 1992 season, the hype surrounding Shaquille O'Neal couldn't have been any louder.

After dominating at the NCAA level at LSU, NBA fans and the media couldn't wait to see if he'd be just as overpowering in the NBA.

Many fans were already predicting that O'Neal would become the next all-time great center in the NBA pantheon.

And so it surprised no one when the Orlando Magic selected O'Neal with the first pick of the 1992 NBA Draft.

Since the franchise's inception in 1989, the Magic had not come anywhere near a winning season.

So they looked to Shaq to right the ship.

The big man did not disappoint during his rookie debut, averaging 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 3.5 blocks per contest.

He was an easy choice for Rookie of the Year honors.

However, due to crucial injuries to players like Dennis Scott and Brian Williams, the Magic would finish at 41-41.

They didn't get the winning season they'd been chasing for so long nor did they get a playoff spot.

But, they were no longer a losing team and would go on to multiple winning seasons with Shaq at the helm before he left for Los Angeles in 1996.

1992 Hoops #10 Larry Bird

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50

Throughout his 13-season NBA career, Larry Bird gave as much effort as anyone night in and night out.

Check any Bird highlight reel and you'll often see replays of him sacrificing his body for a loose ball or battling some of the toughest guys in the NBA for a rebound or score down low.

But all that hustle took a toll.

Injuries slowly snowballed over the years, causing Bird to have terrible pain in his lower back.

His back problems were so bad that Bird would often lie on the floor during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona rather than sit on the bench when not playing.

So, although few fans were surprised, many were heartbroken when Larry Legend retired soon after winning gold in Spain.

Among other achievements during his thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics, Bird finished as a 12-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, and two-time NBA Finals MVP.

As the face of the franchise throughout the 80s and early 90s, Bird brought so much pride to Boston Garden.

But even though he'd no longer be out there on the parquet floor, he still made it into the 1992-93 Hoops checklist.

1992 Hoops #337 Larry Bird

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50

Even though Bird wasn't 100% healthy heading into the 1992 Basketball Tournament of the Americas, he didn't need to be.

The USA Men's team would've easily won that tournament with or without a healthy Larry Bird.

Many saw the tournament as more of a formality and a tune-up for the Olympics later that summer in Barcelona, Spain.

After cruising to six easy wins in Portland, Bird and the rest of the "Dream Team" set their sights on their ultimate mission of bringing home gold in the Olympics.

Though he was hampered by back issues all summer, Bird managed to play around 18 minutes per game in Barcelona, more than David Robinson, Karl Malone, and Patrick Ewing.

And he was incredibly sharp, too, shooting 65% from two-point range and 46% from beyond the arc to average just over 8 points per game.

He wasn't in his best form but was good enough to show the world he was one of the greats.

And a gold medal was a fantastic way to end such a legendary career for the smalltown hero from French Lick, Indiana.

1992 Hoops #340 Magic Johnson

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50

In the lead up to the 1991-92 NBA season, Magic Johnson made a shocking announcement that stunned the basketball world.

With a heavy heart, Johnson revealed that he would be retiring from basketball due to testing positive for HIV.

At only 32 years old and coming off a season where he averaged 21.8 points and 12.6 assists per game to carry the Lakers to the NBA Finals for the ninth time, Johnson still had plenty left in the tank.

It was a sudden end to a superstar's career, and many were left wondering what could have been.

However, in a surprising turn of events, Johnson was voted onto the Western Conference roster for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.

He answered the call and led his team to a dominant 153-113 victory over the East, earning the MVP award in the process.

This was not the end of Johnson's basketball journey, as he went on to represent the USA Men's team in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

To commemorate the superstar, Johnson appeared multiple times in this set.

With cards in the All-Star, Trivia, and Basketball Tournament of the Americas subsets as well as his own subset named "Magic Moments/Numbers", Johnson received a lot of love in this checklist.

1992 Hoops #269 Chicago Bulls

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45

As teammates, Michael Joran, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and Stacy King led the Chicago Bulls to three-straight NBA titles from 1991 to 1993.

After defeating Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the 1991 NBA Finals, Chicago then beat Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in six to repeat in 1992.

I'm unsure if this image was taken during the 1992 NBA Finals or at some other point, but it makes for some top-notch eye appeal with the Chicago skyline in the background.

In a way, this card perfectly captures such a historical period in Chicago sports history.

The Bulls seemed invincible in those days, and Chicago fans were treated to one of the most significant dynasties in league history.

And the 1992-93 season would end with Chicago capturing their third-straight NBA crown and first of two three-peats during the 1990s.

That dominance and the popularity of Jordan and Pippen make this card one of the most desirable in the checklist.

1992 Hoops #34 Scottie Pippen

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40

As Michael Jordan's right-hand man, Scottie Pippen was known for being a vital part of the Bull's playmaking and defense.

Despite a dip in scoring and assists, Pippen's contribution of 18.6 points, 6.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game were critical to Chicago's success during the 1992-93 campaign.

And his performance was still enough to earn him All-NBA 3rd Team and All-Defensive 1st Team honors to go along with his third All-Star appearance in just six seasons.

To the relief of Bulls fans everywhere, Pippen's scoring picked up again in the postseason when it mattered most.

During a hard-fought battle against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Pippen averaged 22.5 points on 51% shooting.

Then, stepping up again in the NBA finals, Pippen averaged 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.

Final MVP honors went to Jordan, but Pippen once again proved how instrumental he was to the Chicago dynasty.

With Jordan's surprise retirement in 1993, Pippen would return as the team's unquestioned leader next season.

And he would have perhaps the greatest season of his career, taking a Bulls team that wasn't expected to make the playoffs and turning them into a 55-win team.

1992 Hoops #85 Hakeem Olajuwon

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40

After an incredibly disappointing season for the Rockets the previous year, Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon kicked things up a notch to set the tone for years of dominant performances.

Olajuwon averaged 26.1 points, 13 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a league-high 4.2 blocks.

Behind his leadership, the Rockets not only improved by thirteen wins from the season before to finish 55-27 and in first place in the Midwest Division.

For his efforts, Olajuwon picked up All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors while finishing second in the MVP race.

In the playoffs, Olajuwon's Rockets faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers in the First Round, winning a surprisingly close series in five.

Over those five games, Olajuwon was dominant, posting 25 or more points and 10 or more rebounds each game.

Unfortunately, the Seattle SuperSonics slowed him down just enough in the Semifinals to close out Houston in seven games.

In Game 7, Kenny "The Jet" Smith missed a crucial game-winner that sent the game into overtime, where a late clutch field goal by Hakeem wouldn't be enough to get the Rockets over the hump.

1992 Hoops #170 Charles Barkley

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40

When the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Charles Barkley with the fifth pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, they knew they were getting a special player.

With a roster headlined by superstars Julius Ervning and Moses Malone, Philadelphia believed that Barkley's strength and versatility would get them over the championship hump.

And they came close during Barkley's rookie 1984-85 season, eventually losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Unfortunately, that was as close as Barkley would get to championship glory with Philadelphia.

During his eight seasons with the Sixers, Barkley was a six-time All-Star and earned All-NBA First Team honors four times.

He was consistently one of the top scorers and rebounders in the league and finished in the top five in the MVP race multiple times.

Barkley was a stud.

But, the lack of postseason success nagged at him as the years went by before he finally demanded a trade after the 1991-92 season.

Initially, the Sixers dealt him to the Los Angeles Lakers before retracting the trade after only a few hours.

It would've been wild to see him in a Lakers uniform.

However, he would eventually start the next chapter of his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns.

1992 Hoops #451 Charles Barkley

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40

Fortunately for Barkley, the fresh start in Phoenix was an instant success as the Hall of Fame power forward averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on a very successful Suns team.

With a record of 62-20, the best in the NBA that season, Barkley and crew prepared for the postseason with hopes of a championship ring.

Finally, it seemed like Barkley's turn to get a ring after so many disappointing seasons in Philly.

However, the playoffs were a bit rockier than expected.

After a surprising series against the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers that saw Phoenix win in five, David Robinson and the Spurs lasted six games in the Semifinals.

But Shawn Kemp and the Seattle SuperSonics in the Conference Finals were the most challenging task yet as Barkley and the Suns needed seven games to send them home.

Barkley played out of his mind in Game 7, scoring 44 points and pulling down 24 rebounds.

Unfortunately, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls would deny Barkley a ring in the NBA Finals, but he did win MVP honors after his incredible season.

1992 Hoops #66 Dennis Rodman

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35

Everyone knew Rodman was a fantastic defender and rebounder, but he sent shockwaves throughout the league when he averaged 18.7 rebounds during the 1991-92 season.

Considering his 12.5 rebounds per game during the 1990-91 campaign was then his career best, an uptick of over six rebounds the following season was absurd.

Would he ever be able to top 18.7 rebounds per game?

It turns out he wouldn't.

But, he came closest to topping that mark during the 1992-93 season, his last with the Detroit Pistons.

Along with 7.5 points and 1.6 assists per game, Rodman grabbed 18.3 boards per contest.

By then, Rodman had mastered putting himself into position for the rebound with uncanny instincts.

Unfortunately, despite solid play from Rodman and fellow teammates Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, the "Bad Boys" streak of dominance had run its course.

The team finished 40-42 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time in ten years.

Sadly, Rodman's mental health was also on the decline, culminating with attempted suicide later in 1993.

Fortunately, Rodman survived, and a new change of scenery with the San Antonio Spurs the following season would help him get back in gear.

1992 Hoops #361 Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30

Outside of Shaq, Alonzo Mourning was the next closest player that many believed would be a surefire bet in the 1992 NBA Draft.

So it surprised no one when the Charlotte Hornets used the second pick on him after the Orlando Magic took Shaq at number one overall.

And that decision paid immediate dividends.

Mourning put on a fantastic performance during his rookie campaign, averaging 21 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.

Not only had the Hornets found a superstar in the making, they had one at the center position, which was a luxury to have back then.

To make things even sweeter, Mourning helped the team to a 44-38 finish and the team's first playoff appearance since entering the league in 1988.

In the First Round against the Boston Celtics, Mourning hit a game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 4 in front of the home crowd at the Charlotte Coliseum to clinch the series 3-1.

However, the Hornets' luck would soon run out as Patrick Ewing and an incredibly fierce New York Knicks team defeated them 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

I always enjoyed the image on this card of a future Hall of Famer in Alonzo Mourning posting up on another future Hall of Famer in Robert Parish.

1992 Hoops #421 Christian Laettner Rookie Card

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25

Over time, the inclusion of Christian Laettner on the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" roster eventually became somewhat of a joke among fans of the sport.

Many suggested that fellow rising rookie Shaquille O'Nea' should have taken his spot, and they were probably right.

However, it's important to remember how dominant Laettner was throughout his college career at Duke University.

He was outstanding enough to earn the Minnesota Timberwolves' attention and convince them to use the third pick of the 1992 NBA Draft to grab him.

And they were soon justified as Laettner's rookie season in the NBA was a statistical success as he averaged 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Still, there were some downsides.

His average of 3.4 turnovers a game and his famous lousy attitude with his teammates detracted public opinion of Laettner's rookie season.

It certainly didn't help that the Timberwolves finished with a horrendous 19-63 record.

By all accounts, Laettner had an above-average rookie season and career but never really matched the expectations fans set for him after his days at Duke.

During his 13-year career in the NBA, Laettner would play for six different clubs and make one All-Star Game appearance during the 1996-97 season as an Atlanta Hawk. 

1992 NBA Hoops Basketball Cards In Review

As you can see, with a solid rookie class, decent subsets and plenty of stars and future Hall of Famers, there is plenty to love about this 490-card set.

Of course, all of the Michael Jordans are among the most desirable cards in the set but the Shaquille O'Neal rookie has held up especially well over time, too.

Just being able to look through the set and see all of the stars of that era who made up the USA Men's Basketball "Dream Team" is worth the price of admission alone.

The design of the cards is creative and flashy but still doesn't go too far over-the-top.

They certainly have an early '90s look and feel to them.

There were several different subsets in the checklist, including:

• Head Coaches (#239 - 265)
• Team Checklists (#266 - 292)
• All-Stars (#293 - 319)
• League Leaders (#320 - 327)
• Magic Moments (#328 - 331)
• Inside Stuff (#332 - 333; 487)
• Stay In School (#334 - 335; 486)
• Basketball Tournament Of The Americas (#336 - 347)
• Checklists (#348 - 350; #488 - 490)
• Trivia (#481 - 485)
• Rookies (Throughout checklist)

Regardless of the monetary value of these cards, the era that these cards represent and the way they pulled it off makes them a must-have for collectors of that period.