Opinion Needed: PSA Set Build Decision, 1980's Fleer Basketball

RynoandBo

I like to build sets in the PSA registry. I have concentrated on my favorite players so far but would like to branch out to set building. I am looking for opinions, pros and cons, for which set to build:

1987 Fleer Basketball

or

1988 Fleer Basketball

I love the design of 1987 but love the rookie class of 1988. I already have the Jordan in each set in a PSA 10 and I would want to build it in all 10's.

Thanks for the help!

Mike

aro13

Mike - The 1987 set as you know has no big RC's. For RC's it is probably the worst basketball mainstream set ever. There are a few tough cards in a PSA 10 - John Williams comes to mind as a low pop. It would be tougher to build then the 1988 set.

The 1988 set would be much easier to build in a 10 but you have the big RC's of Pippen, Stockton and Rodman.

If you want to build a set quickly and have nice RC's I would go after the 1988 set. If you like the thrill of the chase I would go after the 1987 set.

RynoandBo

Thank you. I appreciate the reply.

I think I will go with the 1988. Should be a fun build. I will attack the 1987 at a later time. Maybe the pops will increase slightly. Both sets are awesome.

billwaltonsbeard

I say 1990 Fleer, although they're SUPER hard to find

byronscott4ever

<< <i>I say 1990 Fleer, although they're SUPER hard to find >>



I have an inside track on a box, can't put the info out there so no one else swipes it

vladguerrero

1988 by a long shot. Great colors, better photography, great RC class (John Stockton, Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, a few popular role players Mark Jackson, John Salley, Horace Grant, Mark Price, Mugsey Bogues), fantastic team sets, more hall of famers and stars, and tougher than you would think for condition (fisheyes/snow), similar to the 1987 set it's much more limited than the production run of the same year baseball product. And I think a better investment for the future than the 87 set.

1987 wax is inflated for the MJs, but the set itself is week, though I am a Ron Harper fan and it has his RC. I believe the Drexler is the toughest card in the 1987 set as it has an ink smear problem.

RynoandBo

Thanks VG, great insight. This should be fun.

ClockworkAngel

If your intent is to build the sets by buying wax packs, then go with 1988. 1987 is quite expensive.

If your plan is to buy graded and raw singles I'd go with 1987 and it's not even close IMO. The 1987 Fleer set has much nicer design and is much much rarer. You're more likely to get your investment back with that set. Look at how many cards have been graded of each set and that tells you the difference in production. Yah, there are more rookies in 1988, but they're not worth much because they're flooding the market

stormtrooper80

The 87 set is way uglier with way less star power. But the print run difference between the two sets isn't even close. 87 for sure

RynoandBo

I happen to like the design of both sets, and while the 87 does not have the rookie class, there are still stars like Magic, Bird, Malone, Ewing, Dr J, etc. I would also argue that the 88 set had some pretty lame photography when it comes to composition. Lots of head shots and free throw line shots (not sure what Jordan is doing in his base card) I feel there are some better shots in the 87 set.

The shorter run is also appealing in 87.

I am sticking with the 88, but look forward to the 87 build in the future.