1993-94 Topps felt like a second season of Topps cards in a way. After 1981-82, they took a ten-year break from the hobby and came back with a set for ’92-93, so that set definitely felt like a premiere. So ’93-94 feels like a “second year in a row” from Topps. 1993-94 resembled the previous year in many ways. Even the number of cards stayed the same, with two series of 198 cards each. The order was still chaotic, with players scattered everywhere throughout the set instead of being grouped by team. Like the previous year, factory sets continued to be produced.
One noticeable difference concerned the structure of the sets though. This 1993-94 set started off with a subset. It was a neat idea that could’ve been developed further. The set began with highlights from the previous ’92-93 season. So before you begin the ’93-94 set, you get a quick look back of what just happened.
Series II also begins with a subset, and that’s the card you’re looking at here. This #199 Michael Jordan Reigning Playoff MVP card begins Series II. Of course Jordan is the Reigning Playoff MVP having won the Finals MVP in 1991, 1992 and 1993. But the subset continues with what Topps would call “Future Playoff MVP” cards featuring a variety of other stars with strong performances in the playoffs.
But let’s talk about the design of this card, particularly the photograph. Why is Jordan facing the wrong way? I’m only kidding…but not really… Why choose this photograph? With the start of Series II, is it like he’s looking back on Series I along with looking back on all of the teams he defeated in the playoffs? Is it a sign that although he is the Reigning Playoff MVP, others will soon be approaching from behind to take over the top spot? Still kidding. I’m pretty sure it’s because Jordan announced his retirement. So an appropriate photo knowing the great would no longer be the playoff MVP and why Topps could confidently create a subset of Future MVP’s. The back photo is more fun, but it’s also a picture from behind. On the back, the statistics focus solely on the playoffs, so that’s a useful feature of these cards. It also clarifies that those three Finals MVP’s in a row mentioned earlier…well, he’s the only player in history to do that at the time. Although Shaquille O’Neal would later do it too from 2000-2002.
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