Signed 1992 Dream Team basketball

iahawks550 · September 12, 2013 10:41PM

I purchased this on a whim from a local gentleman who was selling selling off his autograph collection. It has a "cert of authenticity" from Universal Sports Authority in Huntington Beach, Ca. Is this place legit? It has a website and the serial number seems to match-up, but I've never heard of them. If it is legit, would I be well served to get other authentication from a larger, more well known service?

One more question. There are 13 signatures, and I've accounted for the 12 players, but can't figure out who #13 would be.

craigger · September 12, 2013 10:46PM

coach Daly?

iahawks550 · September 12, 2013 10:48PM

Ha! I never thought about the obvious. It looks like that is what it is.

MooseDog · September 12, 2013 11:59PM

Pictures would be nice, but I've got to tell you the general consensus is that a fully signed 1992 Dream Team basketball, or any other team signed item *probably* does not exist. Goldin Auctions had a Hall of Fame banner that was legit came directly from the BBK Hall of Fame and was probably signed on the spot at the 2010 Induction when the 1992 team was enshrined. But it is not complete.

Yes, you see them for sale on eBay and all over the internet but they are all forgeries...all of them.

I have a couple of friends who tried to put a 1992 ball together in person but Jordan and Ewing would always refuse to sign them. Except for practice and games the players were rarely together, and since they stayed in hotels during the Olympics access was virtually impossible. Patrick Ewing flat out didn't sign autographs in person. Jordan since that period will not sign balls, photos, or trading cards except for Upper Deck.

Both the Operation Bullpen (since convicted) forgers and another group in Southern California were pumping out Dream Team stuff like crazy before and after the Olympics. The latter's work is pretty easy to spot because they are usually 8x10 photos and larger in silver and gold paint pen where all the signature are virtually the same size. In 1992 BEFORE the Olympics I remember attending a card show in the SF Bay Area where at least 25% of the dealers had LOTS of Dream Team signed stuff. It was as if the guys did nothing but sign autographs between practices.

And the COA you mentioned is worthless, the company has a very poor rep. Note on their web site only a PO Box for contact and lots of pictures (gathered from other sites on the web) to make you feel better about buying from them.

I'd post pictures here or on the Net54 boards before sending the ball off for authentication. You might just be throwing good money after bad.

stown · September 13, 2013 12:34AM

<< <i>Pictures would be nice, but I've got to tell you the general consensus is that a fully signed 1992 Dream Team basketball, or any other team signed item *probably* does not exist. Goldin Auctions had a Hall of Fame banner that was legit came directly from the BBK Hall of Fame and was probably signed on the spot at the 2010 Induction when the 1992 team was enshrined. But it is not complete.

Yes, you see them for sale on eBay and all over the internet but they are all forgeries...all of them.

I have a couple of friends who tried to put a 1992 ball together in person but Jordan and Ewing would always refuse to sign them. Except for practice and games the players were rarely together, and since they stayed in hotels during the Olympics access was virtually impossible. Patrick Ewing flat out didn't sign autographs in person. Jordan since that period will not sign balls, photos, or trading cards except for Upper Deck.

Both the Operation Bullpen (since convicted) forgers and another group in Southern California were pumping out Dream Team stuff like crazy before and after the Olympics. The latter's work is pretty easy to spot because they are usually 8x10 photos and larger in silver and gold paint pen where all the signature are virtually the same size. In 1992 BEFORE the Olympics I remember attending a card show in the SF Bay Area where at least 25% of the dealers had LOTS of Dream Team signed stuff. It was as if the guys did nothing but sign autographs between practices.

And the COA you mentioned is worthless, the company has a very poor rep. Note on their web site only a PO Box for contact and lots of pictures (gathered from other sites on the web) to make you feel better about buying from them.

I'd post pictures here or on the Net54 boards before sending the ball off for authentication. You might just be throwing good money after bad. >>

+ 1

Maurice · September 13, 2013 12:54AM

General consensus is redundant.

gregmo32 · September 13, 2013 1:58AM

If you turn on your private message feature, I have a question for you.
Thanks!

byronscott4ever · September 13, 2013 2:10AM

I'd say putting the ball together is possible but not likely. In this scenario, I think the COA is a bad sign. Wasn't there someone who put together a NBA at 50 signed ball (actually a few basketballs with all the signatures) a few years back? If I recall, he started with Jordan on UD balls and built it from there. I think he gave Ewing a bunch of money to sign. Stockton is another toughie from that group. Of course now, such a ball would be players only. Imagine the $ a staged signing with the Dream Team could garner for some charity.

VitoCo1972 · September 13, 2013 2:17AM

I think it's unlikely as well. But Ewing and Stockton (while not even close to easy) were easier in the early 90's. And Jordan's never really been a bad signer. He just gets mobbed.

iahawks550 · September 13, 2013 2:23AM

iahawks550 · September 13, 2013 2:24AM

<< <i>If you turn on your private message feature, I have a question for you.
Thanks! >>

Turned on...I think

vols1 · September 13, 2013 4:49AM

What year was the basketball made?

I viewed the website and it looks like a sham to me!

VitoCo1972 · September 13, 2013 4:58AM

The David Robinson looks good to me. The others i'm iffy on.

Allen · September 13, 2013 5:44AM

Text

MooseDog · September 13, 2013 11:48PM

Well, I'll say this...if you submit that ball to PSA/DNA it will not pass. A couple of things stand out, first, all the signatures are the same weight and roughly the same size. Second, the players that added their numbers used their NBA numbers, not their USA Basketball jersey numbers. This doesn't really mean a whole lot, but it tells you that if this ball is good, it was accumulated over time when the players were playing in the NBA. This makes it more dubious in that Jordan likely would not sign the ball, period.

Note that no single signature takes up a full panel. No signatures touch each other. This is rare in a team signed ball, common in a forgery. These are mostly men with GIANT egos. If Bird or Jordan had been the first to sign the ball they would have used an entire panel. The last couple of guys would have to squeeze their names in there. The Malone and Stockton are flat out no good, and the USA sticker, per Allen's YouTube link is really the kiss of death.

I hope you can get your money back, or at least you didn't pay very much.

If you still feel like you want to send the ball to PSA and hope you hit the lottery (if the ball is truly good it would be worth $10-$15,000 as it would be the only one in existence) go ahead, or, you can post it for sale on eBay at some super-high price like $20,000 and then purchase a PSA Quick Opinion through the web site for about $10.00

I don't mean to denigrate your purchase but as a long time autograph collector I really hate to see this stuff out in the market and worse hate to see anyone get taken.