Why are the Washington Bullets in so many vintage NBA cards?

[Chuck9788]

Collecting 1970's - early 1980's NBA cards I can't help but notice that the Washington Bullets seem to very often be the opposing team on the card.

Can anyone help explain why this is?

[Kurri17]

That's a great question, and I haven't collected basketball since the '70s, but I recall that as well because the Bullets were the first team I liked as a kid. On a related note, the '73 Topps baseball set features a lot of action cards from American League teams where the A's were the opponent. Would be interested to hear the reasons for sure.

[commishbob]

I'd guess Topps used a Washington-area photographer back then. Their hockey sets from that era have quite a number of cards with shots that show the Caps as the opposing team.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by commishbob

I'd guess Topps used a Washington-area photographer back then. Their hockey sets from that era have quite a number of cards with shots that show the Caps as the opposing team.

That's what I was also thinking. They didn't use many photographers, even in the early 80's. The guy I met worked in the Boston area, and in 81 sold pictures to Topps and Fleer, and possibly Donruss as well.

It is a little surprising that they didn't use a NY photographer.