№2: Amassing the signatures of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players
January 11, 2021
Welcome to the tedi.substack.com weekly newsletter! At the beginning of each week*, this newsletter will touch on any number of entertaining, informative, or (possibly) useful topics.
The focus of this week’s newsletter is on a dream that I’ve had since I first saw the mural of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players up on the wall of the old NBA Store in New York City. It wasn’t for sale of course (I actually had the audacity to ask) and even if it was—I could never afford it. More on this in the section below.
As we move further into 2021, your comments and feedback will also be of immense help in shaping the direction of the newsletter. Till then, I will be utilizing a free flowing format that will incorporate the aforementioned podcast as well as a combination of book, movie, documentary, or television series recommendations.
Thank you in advance for your time and constructive feedback. Read away!
* - Unless something exciting comes up that necessitates an additional entry.
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As part of my efforts to release a self-help eBook by the end of August 2021, I was hoping to get the pulse of the public (so to speak) on the topics that they would like me to touch on. The general question is this: If you had an opportunity to talk to a counseling and/or sport psychologist for an hour, what would the session focus on?
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Tedi
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The NBA 50 Greatest Players Lithograph
It has been many years since I last saw the actual lithograph, but after an online search—well, this was probably it. Amazing right!
Now, since it would be virtually impossible to secure one of the 250 lithographs (If I owned one, I’d certainly never part with it!), I decided to turn my attention to individuals autographs in 2012.
This passion project would not have been possible without all of the help and encouragement I’ve gotten along the way.
Thank you!
Addendum: With the surge in current market prices (January to March 2020), the reality is that the autograph cards of a number of NBA Legends have simply become…unattainable. Nevertheless, it does not take away from the joy of finding and scoring on good deals. Not to mention the priceless personal and team effort card acquisition stories that I have experienced along the way.
I may never be able to get all 50—but by the time I’m done, I would have come really close.
Update: As of August 2nd, 2024, I’ve managed (with a great deal of help) to bring down the number of autographs that I need down to two.
The Elusive Three are:
Wilt Chamberlain(†) - (August 2nd, 2024)Michael Jordan
George Mikan (†)
Lenny Wilkens- (January 31st, 2023)
NBA’s 50 Greatest Players (In Alphabetical Order)
1) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2002-2003 Upper Deck Generations Signature Classics #KA-S)
2) Nate Archibald (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #NA)
3) Paul Arizin (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #PA)
4) Charles Barkley (2019-2020 Panini - Encased Endorsements No. EN-CBK [10/10])
5) Rick Barry
a] (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #RB)
b] (2002-2003 Upper Deck Generations Signature Classics #RB-S)
6) Elgin Baylor (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #EB)
7) Dave Bing (1978-1979 Topps #61 [Boston Celtics] | PSA/DNA Certified)
8) Larry Bird (2015-2016 Panini Luxe Red [02/25])
9) Wilt Chamberlain (†) (Sports Porcelain Figurine [#13x to #500])
10) Bob Cousy
a] (1999 Upper Deck Inkredible Retro #BC)
b] (Personal Check Dated April 20, 1997)
11) Dave Cowens
a] (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #DC)
b] (2015-2016 Panini Luxe Gold [08/10])
12) Billy Cunningham (2003-2004 Upper Deck Legends - Legendary Signatures (#LS-CU)
13) Dave DeBusschere (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #DD)
14) Clyde Drexler
a] (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #CD)
b] (2002-2003 Upper Deck Generations Signature Classics #CD-S)
15) Julius Erving (2019-2020 Panini Encased #SS-JEV [9/15])
16) Patrick Ewing (2003-2004 Upper Deck SP Authentic Signatures #PE-A)
17) Walt Frazier (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #WF)
18) George Gervin (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #GG)
19) Hal Greer (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #HG)
20) John Havlicek (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #JH)
21) Elvin Hayes (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #EH)
22) Earvin “Magic” Johnson (2017-2018 Panini - Encased Endorsements No. E-MJS [5/5])
23) Sam Jones (†) (2019-20 Panini Impeccable Indelible Ink #II-SJN [23/25])
24) Michael Jordan - None
25) Jerry Lucas (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #JL)
26) Karl Malone (1996-1997 Upper Deck SPx #47 [Utah Jazz] | PSA/DNA Certified)
27) Moses Malone (†)
a] (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #MM)
b] (2000-2001 Upper Deck ABA Legends Legendary Signatures #MM)
28) Pete Maravich (†) (Personal Check dated May 28, 1986 | PSA/DNA Certified)
29) Kevin McHale (2011-2012 Panini Private Signings #PS-KMC)
30) George Mikan (†) - None
31) Earl Monroe (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #EM)
32) Hakeem Olajuwon (2013-2014 Panini Pinnacle of Success Signatures No. 18 [32/49])
33) Shaquille O’Neal (Classic 1992 Draft Picks [1148/2500])
34) Robert Parish (2015-2016 Panini Luxe Red [07/25])
35) Bob Pettit (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #BP)
36) Scottie Pippen (2013-2014 Panini National Treasures Lasting Legacy #LL-SP [30/49])
37) Willis Reed (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #WR)
38) Oscar Robertson (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #OR)
39) David Robinson (2014-2015 Panini Preferred - Unparalleled Autographs [Legends] #554 [25/50])
40) Bill Russell (†) (Bill Russell Limited Edition Mr. Octobear Set | Hollywood Collectibles’ Reggie Jackson’s Mr. Octobears Promotional Set | PSA/DNA Certified)
41) Dolph Schayes (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #DS)
42) Bill Sharman (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #BS)
43) John Stockton (2019-20 Panini National Treasures - Peerless Signatures #PS-JSK [13/15])
44) Isiah Thomas (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #IT)
45) Nate Thurmond (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #NT)
46) Wes Unseld (†) (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #WU)
47) Bill Walton (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #BW)
48) Jerry West (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #JW)
49) Lenny Wilkens (2010-2011 Panini Classics Significant Signatures #23 [13/99]) - January 31st, 2023
50) James Worthy (2019-20 Panini National Treasures - Peerless Signatures #PS-JW [28/49])
Glaring Omission
1) Bob McAdoo (2019-20 Panini National Treasures - Peerless Signatures #PS-BMD [41/99])
2) Dominique Wilkins (1999-2000 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures #DW)
■
About
Tedi Gustilo Villasor, Ph.D. is a former columnist for Baby Magazine (Philippines) as well as a past contributor to NBA.com/Philippines. His other works include the indie comic books Lindol and OBIsessions.
Click here for more information on his work as a psychologist.
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Click here to order Lindol (with artist and co-creator Randy Valiente) from our online partner Secret HQ.
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