The 73 Michael Jordan Base Cards To Collect! Strategy + FREE Spreadsheet

When most people think about collecting Michael Jordan cards, they picture the:

• legendary 1986 Fleer rookie
• ultra-rare inserts
• six-figure auction sales that make headlines

While those cards are incredible, they can also make the hobby feel completely out of reach for the average collector.

As a dad, I’ve learned that the most rewarding projects usually aren’t the flashiest ones — they’re the ones you chip away at over time. Whether it’s embracing the challenge of organizing a garage or tackling the madness of the kids’ room, there’s something satisfying about making steady progress one step at a time.

That’s exactly why I decided to chase all 73 Michael Jordan base cards from his playing career. And my FREE spreadsheet (below) will help you chase them too!

My Video Walkthrough

In this video, I walk through the exact system I’ve used to build my collection, explain why I focus on Jordan’s 73 base cards, show the spreadsheet I use to stay organized, and take you through many of the cards I’ve already collected.

Before we get started, I’d recommend taking a (quick) step back and checking out this resource: How to Collect Michael Jordan Cards on a budget. I do reference this base card strategy in that article/video; it’ll provide great context to all of this.

Some of my favorite card collecting products

PREZA Graded Card Case - Slab Case for Graded Slabs - Premium Trading Card Storage Box with Upgraded Combination and Key Lock (X-Large)

DEEIF Toploader Storage Box, Trading Card Storage Box with 5 Dividers, Hard Plastic TCG Card Storage Box for Top Loaders, Large for 165 Toploaders 650 Cards (2 Pack)

Cardboard Gold Penny Sleeves for Trading Cards - 1000 Count Card Protector Sleeves with Durable, Crystal-Clear Plastic for Baseball, Sports, Collector, Standard-Sized Cards 2-5/8” x 3-5/8” (67x94mm)

Why I started collecting Jordan’s Base Cards

One of the things I think social media gets wrong about sports card collecting is that it often makes people feel like they need to start with the biggest cards. Open YouTube, and you’ll see people chasing Precious Metal Gems, Star rookies, Championship PMGs, or PSA 10 grails that cost more than a family vacation.

Those cards are amazing.

They’re also completely unrealistic for most collectors.

When I started getting serious about collecting Michael Jordan again, I wanted something that felt achievable. I wasn’t looking for the fastest way to build the most valuable collection — I wanted a project that would keep me engaged for years. That’s when I discovered PSA’s Michael Jordan Basic Set Registry.

Instead of thousands of cards and countless inserts, there was one clearly defined goal: Collect all 73 of Michael Jordan’s base cards from 1984 through 2003.

That immediately clicked with me. Instead of asking, “What Jordan card should I buy next?” I suddenly had a roadmap. One card. Then another. Then another. As dads, we’re pretty good at working through checklists.

My Progress: Where am I at today?

As of the date I write this, I’m 57% complete, with 42 of the 73 cards already checked off my list.

Every eBay purchase (where I’ve bought most) that shows up in the mail feels like a little trip back to the 90s. Some of these cards I owned as a kid. Others were cards I always wanted but could never hit in packs or afford to purchase. Collecting them today isn’t just about owning cardboard — it’s about reconnecting with some of my favorite memories growing up during the greatest basketball era ever.

Why I created the 73 Base Card Spreadsheet

The official MJ PSA Basic Set Registry sucks. It’s not visual and doesn’t help you manage and track your progress easily.

So, I transformed it into something that’s much easier to use while you’re actually collecting Jordan’s base cards. Instead of scrolling through a long checklist, you’ll get a visual tracker that helps you quickly see your progress and decide which card to chase next.

Why I’m offering this checklist for FREE

After receiving dozens of requests after publishing my YouTube video on collecting Michael Jordan cards on a budget, I decided to give that spreadsheet away for free so other collectors could enjoy the same journey.

Download My FREE Michael Jordan Base Card Checklist

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Complete checklist of all 73 Michael Jordan base cards
• Large card thumbnails for every card
• Card numbers and release years
• PSA Registry “Weight” values
• Track PSA grades (7, 8, 9, 10)
• Track raw copies separately
• Automatic completion percentage
• Cards remaining dashboard
• Google Sheets version you can copy to your own account
• Option to download as Excel or CSV

Dad’s Final Thoughts

Collecting Michael Jordan’s 73 base cards has reminded me that the best hobbies aren’t about spending the most money — they’re about enjoying the journey.

Every new card brings back a little nostalgia, and updating my spreadsheet never gets old. If you’d like to start your own MJ base card collection, download my free spreadsheet below and enjoy the process one card at a time.

Happy collecting, Dad!