This was the last set I needed to finish off the project- or what I thought finished off the project- back in 2016 when I created this chart originally. It remains my only card from the set, which I sourced on COMC.

The first professional basketball set, this release, from the 1948-49 season, actually predates the NBA. The BAA, which this set is of, is one of two leagues that would merge to form the NBA. Of the two leagues, which date back to 1935, this set is the only time they ever got cardboard, and the NBA does not recognize the stats for the league that went back to '35- only the BAA, which started in 1946, is counted as the beginning of the NBA. My copy of the Earl Shannon card is not in as nice shape as the example shown, but it was the first I added from this set, in 1998. It was the next to last set I needed to hunt down to complete my original project of getting at least one of every set.

The first standard size set in NBA history, and, technically, the first NBA cards ever as well, considering the previous release was BAA.

Fleer's first NBA effort. Not a really great design, Fleer threw back to it many times over the years.

Topps would enter the NBA market full time with this set, unfortunately they went with these oversized cards the first two years. They are pain to store and impossible to sort by player or team.

The first NBA set to include inserts.

The first several NBA sets were actually unlicensed, which is why you see so many photos with the player's jersey on backwards or the team logo airbrushed away like this card.

Although the ABA had founded in 1967 as a direct competitor to the NBA, they did not get cards until this set. (Although the Cincinnati Royals were an NBA team). The Topps sets would be a combination of NBA and ABA until 1975-76, the ABA's final season. Complete!

For some reason, the 1972-73 Topps set was always the rarest one for me to find back when we had card shows and shops all over the place. To this day I have fewer cards from it than any other 70s set.

Despite the fact that the back is predominantly green, my long time favorite color, this is not a favorite 70s design of mine.

The first Topps set since 1957-58 to be fully licensed by the NBA.

The 1974-75 set was the second rarest 70s set when I was building the majority of my collection, in 1996-06. If Mark Hoyle hadn't sent me a bunch of his, I would still be only around 20% complete. the Wilt card shown here was my first contemporary issue of his. He never actually played that year- the Lakers sued to prevent it...but when I got this circa 1996, I was still thrilled. And still am!