We’re adding card #5 from this 1993 Action Packed Hall of Fame set, an unusual one because it begins with a subset, ten-cards called “One on One.” This subset features pairs of players that are great matchups and rivalries. It starts with four guards, Walt Frazier and Jerry West who are a great pair because they actually met in the Finals three times, and Dave Bing and Earl Monroe. With card #5, we finally get a center, Willis Reed, a player who was huge in 1970. These cards are loaded with history on the back, so let’s turn it over and you’ll see what I mean. First, we see he was the NBA Finals MVP in 1970. If you’re not familiar with that Finals, Willis Reed was dominant all season, but he was injured. Game 7 was about to start and it didn’t look like he would play, but at the last moment, he entered the arena, clearly still hurt. The fans went wild. It was a powerful moment. The Knicks won. Although Reed didn’t perform well offensively, Wilt Chamberlain wasn’t as dominant as he was the previous two games, and Walt Frazier stepped up (he opens this set by the way) allowing the Knicks to pull through. Willis Reed won the Finals MVP for his defense and this inspiring moment, but remember, the reason he produced that energy is because he was already having a great season. He also won the regular MVP and the All-Star MVP that year. Only Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan did that. So this card is dated saying that Reed is the only player to have done it.
The pairs of players in this “One on One” subset have the same color in the subset logo. Because of that moment in the 1970 Finals, I wish Willis Reed was paired up with Wilt Chamberlain, but Chamberlain doesn’t appear in this set. Willis Reed is paired up with Dave Cowens, another dominant center in the early ’70’s. They both share a green “One on One” logo.
If you’re not familiar with this 1993 Action Packed set, it’s hard to find a better set for the price. The cards are a much higher quality than most early ’90’s cards. They have thick stock with these rounded corners distinctive of Action Packed. They’re embossed, the player is glossy against a matte finish on the background. Action Packed was trying to innovate here, and they even filed their own patent for the design seen in fine print on the back, “Pat. #315,364.” And, although not true vintage, the set is still full of great Hall-of-Famers and loaded with information. It’s really a must for collectors who enjoy delving into the history of the game. There are nice subsets dedicated to Larry Bird and Julius Erving as well. Since the set honors the 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame (as displayed in the gold foil on the front), each card mentions when the player was inducted. Earl Monroe was 1990. Really a neat set of cards for the history, and because it’s overlooked, complete sets can be found for under $20 if you look hard enough.
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