I recently picked up 20 packs of 1995 Pro Mags USA basketball and I figured America's birthday was the perfect day to share these with you.
I grabbed these for several reasons: I'm a huge fan of Team USA basketball, I love oddballs and remember these magnets from the 90's, plus they were reasonably cheap ($19.80 + $5 shipping).
The set only contains 10 player magnets and each pack contained 3 magnets. In theory, I should have been able to build a set with four to six packs, so I was hoping for at least 3 sets: one for me, one for my nephew, and one for this contest. However this product's collation was pretty bad and I was only able to complete one set and here it is:
#1 Hakeem Olajuwon
#2 Glenn Robinson
#3 Karl Malone
#4 Shaquille O'Neal
#5 Reggie Miller
#6 David Robinson
#7 John Stockton
#8 Anfernee Hardaway
#9 Scottie Pippen
#10 Grant Hill
The set previewed our 1996 Olympic team assembled by Lenny Wilkens, which took home the Gold Medal in Atlanta. They were labeled the Dream Team III and rightfully so, because it's stacked with six Hall of Famers. Plus, Shaq is guaranteed to make it in too.
I was a huge collector of Big Dog and Penny in the 90's, but I don't see them getting in. And then there's Grant Hill. What do you think? Here's your question of the day:
Will Grant Hill make the basketball Hall of Fame?
By the way, Gary Payton and Mitch Richmond were the only two Dream Team members not included in set.
According to Beckett, Chris Martin Enterprises also produced a die-cut parallel to the set, which is double in value. I didn't come across any of these parallels in my packs, so I'm curious as to how these were distributed.
Okay... mini contest time. Since I don't have a complete set to give away, I'm not going to add this into the main contest. Instead, if you'd like to win a partial set (8 out of 10 magnets) then all you have to do is guess the following things:
I mentioned collation was terrible. Which player did I pull the most copies of?
Just in case we need a tie break, tell me how many magnets of that player I pulled.
Example: Payton x5
If by chance there's a tie... the person who's closest without going over will win. And if two or more people have the same guess... the first person will win the lot. FYI: I will ship out this prize with the rest of the contest prizes in August.
Okay... it's time to get ready for the long day ahead of me: barbecue, baseball, and fireworks. I hope all of you out there who live in America enjoy a safe, holiday weekend. Everyone else... happy Monday.... and sayonara!
19 comments:
I don't follow basketball enough to have a good idea of what it takes to get into the HOF, but looking at his career, he probably has a good shot. I really don't know how his stats line up to other HOFers, but if his numbers are right he should get in.
I'm going to go with no for Mr Hill.
I don't follow basketball or ever watch it... but I've heard of all those other dudes, but not Hill. So that's my qualifications.
And judging by some of the people in other Hall of Fames... I've got just as much qualifications as the real judges do.
I'll pass on the mini contest, thanks.
Don't follow Basketball, so I'll say sure, why not!
As for the mini-contest: Wild stab in the dark says 5 Shaqs and 4 Pippens
I think Hill missed too many games in his prime to get in to the Hall. I think he was on his way there just like Penny, but he just couldn't stay healthy and by the time he was able to fully resume his career he became a nice supporting player.
I'll say John Stockton X 5 on the magnets
I don't follow Basketball!
Shaq X 4
And happy 4th of July!
I don't really follow basketball, so I'm not sure of the Hall qualifications and stipulations and what's taken into consideration. But don't they include non-NBA work, and didn't Hill have a great college career?
So I'll say yes, he makes it to the Hall.
Reggie Miller X5
These are so cool. I have some Marvel magnets that I picked up cheap at a card show. Don't think I got a full set of those either.
I'm going to go with Stockton x4
I'm going to say no on Hill. He was at the top of his game when he got hurt, and he worked his ass off to salvage a good career. I liken him to Mattingly in baseball. A few years of dominance but couldn't sustain it due to injury, but was still useful afterward. Plus neither had a championship.
As for the contest, let's go Penny Hardaway x 5.
I will say yes onh Hill and 4 Malone's
Only if they elect the entire 96 Olympic Team to the Hall as well. Had he been healthy the last 13 years, then yes.
I just don't think Grant was healthy enough to put up the numbers and I'm gonna say Hill 5.
I don't think hill will make it and I will say 3 Hardaways.
Cannot get into basketball at all. A wild stab in the dark here I say Shaq x 6
I have no idea about Hill.
Stockton x4
Grant Hills numbers are good but not great. He has been on the Olympic team but overshadowed by others. He hasn't become a franchise player because he moved between teams a little too much. Most of his better playing days we early in his career which I think will hurt him the most. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. So I don't don't think he will be going to The Hall, but he will remain a popular figure in his retirement.
Let's try Glen Robinson X7
It looks like the majority of you (4 for Yes, 7 for No) said Grant Hill won't make it into the HOF.
Zakwin - Great point... I'm not sure if it's both college and NBA... but it definitely makes it closer if you're right.
And the winner of the partial set is...
Chris P!
I've marked the set and will ship it out at the end of the contest... hopefully with additional prizes.
I should have another post up in the next couple of hours... along with a contest update. Which means that this post is officially closed for contest points.
Oops... I forgot to mention... I pulled 7 Stocktons... out of 20 packs. And Chris P guessed 5 which was closest.
I know I'm a day late and a dollar short for this contest, but I'd love to trade you for one of your Stockton magnets if you have a spare. (And maybe we do the trade down the road since you're busy with the contest currently and it would give me time to round up something to send your way.)
Eric L. - No problem... you can have a Stockton for free... have plenty to spare. Yeah... I sort of forgot how much organization and planning this little project of mine takes. Remind me in early August when I wrap things up.
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