This is one of the sets that Topps made throughout the mid 70s. In the beginning of the 70s, Topps made Tall boy sets such as the 1970 Topps set which featured oversized cards.
Fast forward to 1974 and we have a unique set in terms of how it was designed. There are two types of cards in this set: portrait and action. However, unlike preceding sets, each player either has a portrait or action card. Not both.
Card Specs
These cards are normally sized. On the front, they have the team name of the player written vertically. There is also the player’s name printed on the front and the player’s position written inside a small basketball. These cards have a white stock and a colorful background. In the background, there is a colored picture of the player.
On the back, these cards are horizontal even though the front is vertical. On the back, there is a cartoon character, player details, and a player bio.
There are 264 cards in this set. NBA cards appear on cards 1-176 and ABA cards show up on cards 177-264 which is typical for sets made during the early 70s. One interesting feature of these sets is that each pack comes with a scratch off game.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the most notable cards in the set
Bill Walton
Bill Walton was a UCLA legend coached by one of the greatest college coaches of all time: John Wooden. Walton only played 10 years in the league due to a lingering foot injury. Regardless of the injury, Walton averaged a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Along with averaging a double double, Walton has many accolades including 2 NBA championships, sixth man of the year, And MVP.
George Gervin
George Gervin was the first all-time great in the Spurs’ franchise history. He was initially drafted into the ABA as a member of the Virginia Squires where he played alongside Julius Erving. It wasn’t until 1976 that Gervin made his NBA debut. He averaged 25 points per game and played professional basketball for 14 years. Despite not winning an NBA championship, he is still rebounded as one of the top 75 players of all time. Gervin was dubbed “the iceman” for his ability to hit clutch shots.
Julius Erving
Julius Erving earned the nickname “Dr.J” while playing streetball at the infamous Rucker Park. He was drafted in the ABA and eventually made his way into the NBA. During his career, Erving won the MVP award 4 times and only won one NBA championship. This is because he wasn’t technically in the NBA until he was 26. While he was in the ABA, he also won two championships in that league.
1974 Topps Basketball Checklist
1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2 Don May
3 Bernie Fryer
4 Don Adams
5 Herm Gilliam
6 Jim Chones
7 Rick Adelman
8 Randy Smith
9 Paul Silas
10 Pete Maravich
11 Ron Behagen
12 Kevin Porter
13 Bill Bridges
14 Charles Johnson
15 Bob Love
16 Henry Bibby
17 Neal Walk
18 John Brisker
19 Lucius Allen
20 Tom Van Arsdale
21 Larry Steele
22 Curtis Rowe
23 Dean Meminger
24 Steve Patterson
25 Earl Monroe
26 Jack Marin
27 Jo Jo White
28 Rudy Tomjanovich
29 Otto Moore
30 Elvin Hayes
31 Pat Riley
32 Clyde Lee
33 Bob Weiss
34 Jim Fox
35 Charlie Scott
36 Cliff Meely
37 Jon McGlocklin
38 Jim McMillian
39 Bill Walton
40 Dave Bing
41 Jim Washington
42 Jim Cleamons
43 Mel Davis
44 Garfield Heard
45 Jimmy Walker
46 Don Nelson
47 Jim Barnett
48 Manny Leaks
49 Elmore Smith
50 Rick Barry
51 Jerry Sloan
52 John Hummer
53 Keith Erickson
54 George E. Johnson
55 Oscar Robertson
56 Steve Mix
57 Rick Roberson
58 John Mengelt
59 Dwight Jones
60 Austin Carr
61 Nick Weatherspoon
62 Clem Haskins
63 Don Kojis
64 Paul Westphal
65 Walt Bellamy
66 John Johnson
67 Butch Beard
68 Happy Hairston
69 Tom Boerwinkle
70 Spencer Haywood
71 Gary Melchionni
72 Ed Ratleff
73 Mickey Davis
74 Dennis Awtrey
75 Fred Carter
76 George Trapp
77 John Wetzel
78 Bobby Smith
79 John Gianelli
80 Bob McAdoo
81 Atlanta Hawks Team Leaders
82 Boston Celtics Team Leaders
83 Buffalo Braves Team Leaders
84 Chicago Bulls Team Leaders
85 Cleveland Cavaliers Team Leaders
86 Detroit Pistons Team Leaders
87 Golden State Warriors Team Leaders
88 Houston Rockets Team Leaders
89 Kansas City-Omaha Kings Team Leaders
90 Los Angeles Lakers Team Leaders
91 Milwaukee Bucks Team Leaders
92 New Orleans Jazz NBA’s Newest Entry
93 New York Knicks Team Leaders
94 Philadelphia 76ers Team Leaders
95 Phoenix Suns Team Leaders
96 Portland Trail Blazers Team Leaders
97 Seattle Supersonics Team Leaders
98 Capitol Bullets Team Leaders
99 Sam Lacey
100 John Havlicek
101 Stu Lantz
102 Mike Riordan
103 Larry Jones
104 Connie Hawkins
105 Nate Thurmond
106 Dick Gibbs
107 Corky Calhoun
108 Dave Wohl
109 Cornell Warner
110 Geoff Petrie
111 Leroy Ellis
112 Chris Ford
113 Bill Bradley
114 Clifford Ray
115 Dick Snyder
116 Nate Williams
117 Matt Guokas
118 Henry Finkel
119 Curtis Perry
120 Gail Goodrich
121 Wes Unseld
122 Howard Porter
123 Jeff Mullins
124 Mike Bantom
125 Fred Brown
126 Bob Dandridge
127 Mike Newlin
128 Greg Smith
129 Doug Collins
130 Lou Hudson
131 Bob Lanier
132 Phil Jackson
133 Don Chaney
134 Jim Brewer
135 Ernie DiGregorio
136 Steve Kuberski
137 Jim Price
138 Mike D’Antoni
139 John Brown
140 Norm Van Lier
141 NBA Checklist (#1-176)
142 Slick Watts
143 Walt Wesley
144 1973-74 NBA Scoring Leaders
145 1973-74 NBA Scoring Average Leaders
146 1973-74 NBA Field Goal Pct. Leaders
147 1973-74 NBA Free Throw Pct. Leaders
148 1973-74 NBA Rebound Leaders
149 1973-74 NBA Assist Leaders
150 Walt Frazier
151 Cazzie Russell
152 Calvin Murphy
153 Bob Kauffman
154 Fred Boyd
155 Dave Cowens
156 Willie Norwood
157 Lee Winfield
158 Dwight Davis
159 George T. Johnson
160 Dick Van Arsdale
161 1973-74 NBA Eastern Semi-Finals
162 1973-74 NBA Western Semi-Finals
163 1973-74 NBA Finals
164 1973-74 NBA Championship – Celtics vs. Bucks
165 Phil Chenier
166 Kermit Washington
167 Dale Schlueter
168 John Block
169 Don Smith
170 Nate Ahibald
171 Chet Walker
172 Ahie Clark
173 Kennedy McIntosh
174 George Thompson
175 Sidney Wicks
176 Jerry West
177 Dwight Lamar
178 George Carter
179 Wil Robinson
180 Artis Gilmore
181 Brian Taylor
182 Darnell Hillman
183 Dave Robisch
184 Gene Littles
185 Willie Wise
186 James Silas
187 Caldwell Jones
188 Roland Taylor
189 Randy Denton
190 Dan Issel
191 Mike Gale
192 Mel Daniels
193 Steve Jones
194 Marv Roberts
195 Ron Boone
196 George Gervin
197 Flynn Robinson
198 Cincy Powell
199 Glen Combs
200 Julius Erving
201 Billy Keller
202 Willie Long
203 ABA Checklist (#177-264)
204 Joe Caldwell
205 Swen Nater
206 Rick Mount
207 1973-74 ABA Scoring Average Leaders
208 1973-74 ABA Two-Point Field Goal Leaders
209 1973-74 ABA Three-Point Field Goal Leaders
210 1973-74 ABA Free Throw Pct. Leaders
211 1973-74 ABA Rebound Leaders
212 1973-74 ABA Assist Leaders
213 Larry Miller
214 Stew Johnson
215 Larry Finch
216 Larry Kenon
217 Joe Hamilton
218 Gerald Govan
219 Ralph Simpson
220 George McGinnis
221 Carolina Cougars Team Leaders
222 Denver Nuggets Team Leaders
223 Indiana Pacers Team Leaders
224 Kentucky Colonels Team Leaders
225 Memphis Sounds Team Leaders
226 New York Nets Team Leaders
227 San Antonio Spurs Team Leaders
228 San Diego Conquistadors Team Leaders
229 Utah Stars Team Leaders
230 Virginia Squires Team Leaders
231 Bird Averitt
232 John Roche
233 George Irvine
234 John Williamson
235 Billy Cunningham
236 Jimmy O’Brien
237 Wilbert Jones
238 Johnny Neumann
239 Al Smith
240 Roger Brown
241 Chuck Williams
242 Rich Jones
243 Dave Twardzik
244 Wendell Ladner
245 Mack Calvin
246 1973-74 ABA Eastern Semi-Finals
247 1973-74 ABA Western Semi-Finals
248 1973-74 ABA Finals
249 1973-74 ABA Championship – Nets vs. Stars
250 Wilt Chamberlain
251 Ron Robinson
252 Zelmo Beaty
253 Donnie Freeman
254 Mike Green
255 Louie Dampier
256 Tom Owens
257 George Karl
258 Jim Eakins
259 Travis Grant
260 James Jones
261 Mike Jackson
262 Billy Paultz
263 Freddie Lewis
264 Byron Beck
