1980 Topps Rebounding Leaders Bird, Cartwright, Drew PSA 9

1980 Topps Rebounding Leaders Bird, Cartwright, Drew PSA 9 - Bird’s Board Work in a Trio of Rising Stars

The 1980 Topps basketball set is unlike any other—three players, perforated panels, and one of the most creative formats in hobby history. Among the gems in this set is the Rebounding Leaders panel, headlined by none other than Larry Bird, just as he was taking the NBA by storm. Sharing the card with Bill Cartwright, a force in the paint for the Knicks, and Larry Drew, a skilled playmaker and future coach, this card captures three rookies from the 1979–80 NBA season—each representing a different skill set, but all at the start of significant basketball journeys.

Larry Bird, of course, is the main attraction here. Though best known for his scoring and passing, Bird was a tenacious rebounder, regularly averaging double-digit boards in his early seasons. That presence earned him a spot among the top rookie rebounders of the year—placing him alongside fellow first-year standouts Cartwright and Drew in this league-issued statistical tribute. This card not only serves as an early Bird panel, but also as a reminder of how instantly well-rounded his game was, even in his debut season.

Graded PSA 9, this example is in near-gem condition, offering sharp corners, bold colors, a clean surface, and strong centering—no small feat for a card from a set known for perforation wear and off-centering. With three rookie-year appearances on one card and a format that continues to stand out in the hobby, this is both a collector’s favorite and a piece of NBA cardboard innovation.