“The Admiral” Returns to Command a Retro Revolution in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball

There's a retro revolution coming later this month with the heavily anticipated release of Panini America's 2011-12 Hoops Basketball, and the man leading the charge is the same giant who ignited the original Hoops craze -- and revitalized the entire modern basketball card market -- way back in 1989-90: David Robinson.

There’s a retro revolution coming later this month with the heavily anticipated release of Panini America’s 2011-12 Hoops Basketball, and the man leading the charge is the same giant who ignited the original Hoops craze — and revitalized the entire modern basketball card market — way back in 1989-90: David Robinson.

The San Antonio Spurs’ legendary “Admiral” created industry-wide shock waves more than two decades ago with the release of his landmark 1989-90 Hoops Rookie Card. For the record, he created similar buzz inside Panini America HQ yesterday by returning several jaw-dropping autographed original BuyBacks from that history-making set that will be randomly inserted into 2011-12 Hoops when it releases February 29.

The arriving shipment was significant enough that Panini America NBA product developers Keith Hower and David Porter were compelled to call my cellphone to alert me even though we were all in the same building. But when they call, I come running — and, as always, I’m glad I did. What I saw (and what you’re about to see) were some of the sweetest inscriptions ever to grace an NBA card set.

Ten 1989-90 Hoops In Action subset cards, each bearing in silver paint pen Robinson’s distinctive signature and each inscribed with a different Bible verse. Clearly, the results speak for themselves. Take a look for yourself below and say tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional updates on 2011-12 Hoops Basketball.

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15 Replies to ““The Admiral” Returns to Command a Retro Revolution in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball”

  1. I always enjoyed watching him when I was young. One great player. This is one great looking card. Love looking at the silver auto. It looks great against the Hoops. And against the black of the Spurs jersey. Nice job!

  2. David Robinson was one of my first RC cards that I loved, besides Shawn Kemp. Wondering what other “buyback” autos there might be…. Don’t really care for that silver marker.. I would of used a “red meanstreak” It would of stood out much more on that D.Robinson card… Can’t wait for HOOPS to return.. Saving up to buy a few boxes.. Can’t afford high end, so going after the Hoops craze…

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  4. Always been a big fan of the Admiral. Playing basketball growing up, my mom tried to find me a positive NBA role model who played a similar style as I did…her choice for me to watch play was David Robinson. Thanks to watching him, I learned a ton. Plus he’s a great guy off the court. She couldn’t have picked anyone better.

  5. I love how you guys are bringing those buybacks back from Hoops! Definitely nice to see some old legends signing those cards when I used to have those exact same ones that I had back then!

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