What’s the Story: Real, Fake, or an Error Card Featuring Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan on any sports card is a treat for fans, and sure to bring value to cardboard with four sharp corners and a clean shiny surface. Throughout his playing career, card manufacturers took advantage of “His Airness’” popularity featuring him in-game on other player’s cards, and fans could not get enough.

In the 1990-91 Hoops Basketball set, one card captured an odd moment in time and could cause confusion in the hobby for those not aware.

Before inadvertently hijacking someone else’s basketball card, let’s give some attention to the namesake, Sam Vincent.

Who is Sam Vincent?

Vincent was an All-American point guard out of Michigan State. Drafted No. 20 overall in 1985 by the Celtics, Vincent earned a championship ring with Boston in 1986 as a reserve. Vincent had a solid seven-year NBA career, scoring in double-digits for a season three times (1988, 1990, 1992).

His best overall campaign, statistically speaking, was the 1987-88 season. Playing in 29 games, starting 27 for the Bulls, Vincent averaged 13.0 points per game and 8.4 assists.

In his final NBA season (1991-92), Vincent played 39 games with the Orlando Magic, starting 18, posting 10.5 points per night and 3.8 assists.

Is the Card Fake or Real?

Whether a basketball, NBA, and/or Jordan fan, nothing looks right on the 1990-91 Hoops #223A Sam Vincent card front. In the modern era of improving AI imagery, the #223A fits the mold.

A close look at the image, the relationship/distance between Vincent and Jordan seems off – Jordan almost seems superimposed.

A fantastic defender, Jordan is way out of position, too far under the basket, and seemingly unaware of Vincent driving down the lane – perhaps thinking a jump shot had been taken; not something we expect from a GOAT. If Vincent wasn’t 6-2 or had better springs, this could have been an all-time poster dunk for the part-time starting guard.

The strangest thing of all, which screams fake or error card, Jordan is wearing a No. 12 jersey instead of his well-known No. 23.

What’s the Story?

On February 14, 1990, Michael Jordan took the court wearing a no-name on the back No. 12 jersey. Why? Before the game started, his jersey went missing. Since then, this incident is widely known as the “Jordan Stolen Jersey Game.”

The game took place at Orlando Arena. A tightly contested back-and-forth affair, the game went into overtime. After the extra frame, the Magic prevailed 135-129. But Jordan did not disappoint. On 21-of-43 shooting, 7-of-10 from the charity stripe, MJ poured in 49 points with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 blocked shot.

The next leading scorers for Chicago, three added 15 points: Scottie Pippen, Bill Cartwright, and Craig Hodges.

Orlando had six players in double figures: Terry Catledge (34), Reggie Theus (28), Sidney Green (16), Otis Smith (18), Scott Skiles (16), and Michael Ansley (11). Catledge and Green produced double-doubles with 11 rebounds and 19, respectively.

As for Vincent in this forever rememberable game, playing 26 minutes as a starter, not only did he get an all-time memorable basketball card and a victory, he also scored 7 with 5 assists and 2 rebounds.

Sidenote to the story; per reports, a pre-game announcement went out over the PA system asking fans if anyone had a No. 23 Jordan jersey MJ could wear for the game!

What Happened to the Jersey?

Days after the No. 23 jersey went missing, according to reports, an investigation found one of Orlando’s personnel had climbed from one room into the locked Bulls’ locker room via a ceiling tile. No one was arrested for the act, but a security guard was reportedly fired. The jersey was found atop a ceiling tile above the visitor’s locker room.

The Second Series

The 1990-91 Hoops set contained 336 cards in the first series and 104 in the second for a full deck at 440. In the second series, wearing a black with white pinstripes road jersey, Vincent got his own featured card, 1990-91 Hoops #223B Sam Vincent.

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