1986-87 Fleer #53 Magic Johnson
1986-87 Fleer #53 Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson - a headline established star (his RC is 1980-81 Topps), half of the Bird-Magic rivalry that fueled the set's demand.
About Magic Johnson
A 6'9" point guard out of Michigan State, Earvin Johnson was the No. 1 overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft after leading the Spartans to the 1979 NCAA title. As a rookie he famously started at center in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, posting 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists to clinch the championship and become the only rookie ever named Finals MVP. Over a Lakers career spanning 1979-1991 (with a brief 1996 comeback), he won five NBA titles (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), three Finals MVPs (1980, 1982, 1987) and three regular-season MVPs (1987, 1989, 1990), earned 12 All-Star selections and nine All-NBA First Team honors, and retired as the NBA's all-time assists leader at 11.2 per game. Sportswriter Fred Stabley Jr. dubbed the teenage Johnson "Magic" after a 36-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist high-school triple-double. Half of the era-defining Bird-Magic rivalry that drove this set's demand, he stunned the sports world by announcing his HIV diagnosis in November 1991, then returned to win 1992 Olympic gold with the Dream Team. This is not his rookie card (that is 1980-81 Topps); he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Magic Johnson is card #53 in Fleer's landmark 'Premier' issue - the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps and, for many collectors, the start of the modern era of basketball cards. Magic Johnson was already an established star by 1986; this is not his rookie card, but he is one of the names that make the set a who's-who of the era. He is pictured with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 8,389 | 189 | 1,729 | 3,564 | 1,711 | 1,193 | 3 |
| SGC | 1,069 | 6 | 115 | 366 | 296 | 276 | 10 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8).
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More Los Angeles Lakers cards
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- Michael Cooper
- Maurice Lucas
- Kurt Rambis
- Byron Scott
- James Worthy
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (sticker)
- Magic Johnson (sticker)
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Magic Johnson card?
It is card #53 of 132 in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set - Fleer's 'Premier' issue and the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps. It pictures the Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson.
How do I spot a fake Magic Johnson 1986-87 Fleer card?
1986-87 Fleer is the most counterfeited basketball set. Genuine cards are crisp and dark with an intact micro-dot print pattern; fakes look fuzzy or flat. Check the Fleer 'Premier' logo (the arrow is a darker gold than the yellow box) and, on the back, the NBA Players Association basketball, whose seam lines are visible on a real card and filled solid on a fake. For high-value copies, buy professionally graded (PSA/BGS/SGC) and verify the cert.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Magic Johnson valuable?
Value depends heavily on grade and centering. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Basketball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.