The phrase identifies a specific set of basketball trading cards. It denotes cards released in 1989 by the NBA Hoops trading card company featuring Michael Jordan. These cards are distinct from those produced by other manufacturers or in other years. The 1989 Hoops set was widely distributed and included several cards of the celebrated athlete.
These items hold significance for collectors due to Jordan’s prominence in basketball history. The initial print runs, condition, and scarcity of specific cards within the set directly influence their value. The trading card market considers such cards as tangible pieces of sports memorabilia, offering insight into the player’s career during that particular period. Their presence represents a noteworthy aspect of basketball’s popular culture during the late 1980s and early 1990s.