The 1990s were a beautiful time for sports card collectors. With seemingly every newly released product, collectors could find new twists, turns, takes and technology on their trading cards.
Skybox was the forefront of pushing the envelope with technology, and one specific set from 1997-98 EX 2001 pushed the boundaries of what would even be considered a trading card. Gravity Denied was a 20-card set randomly inserted at a rate of 1 in every 24 hobby packs.
The set features two die cut pieces that are connected by a rivet that rotates to form an aerodynamic photo of the player featured in three separate windows. There is foil, to be sure.
The Gravity Denied text is found flowing on the card, along with the player’s name, team and the Skybox E-X2001 logo. The main photo appears to be flying out of the background, which is a cool touch.
The card backs feature the same thick bordered, die cut design, of course, with different shades of green throughout. There is a small paragraph detailing what makes the player featured so special as well as an almost purposely grainy color this photo of the player with their name scrolled towards the top and a team logo in a circle underneath the picture. The cards are numbered …of 20GD
Seattle Supersonics forward Vin Baker is the first player in the set. After a nice career in Milwaukee, the multiple time all star moved out west and contributed to the Sonics squad.
The Round Mound of Rebound, Charles Barkley, is featured at card number two. The then Houston Rocket was coming up on the end of his illustrious career.
The third card features Denver Nuggets rookie Tony Battie. Not a star by any stretch, the big man did deny gravity as he was known to get up and finish at the rim and also defend it at the other end of the floor.
The great Kobe Bryant is the fourth card in the set. Bean is clearly denying gravity in his featured photo, finishing an acrobatic layup at the rim. The Black Mamba averaged just a tick over 15 points per game as a 19 year old in his second season.
New York Knicks Hall of Fame Center Patrick Ewing is the fifth card. Ewing was the tower in the middle for the Knicks for the next for the better part of a decade and one of the all-time greats. He’s shown throwing down a teeth rattling jam.
The Timberwolves’ Big Ticket is up next forward Kevin Garnett definitely defied and denied gravity. KG played in all 82 games that season.
One of the more spectacular short windowed gravity deniers of the era, Orlando Magic point guard Anfernee Hardaway, his featured. Before injuries ravaged his career, Penny was one of the more spectacular players in the game. 
Detroit Pistons superstar Grant Hill is featured next in the set. Hill is shown laying the ball at the rim from a cool image from behind the backboard.
The ultimate gravity denier, Michael Jordan, has the ninth card in the interesting looking set. He’s pictured getting ready to throw down a signature dunk, arm outstretched, tongue wagging in the ultimately classic red Bulls uniform. This was the final NBA Championship for MJ and the Bulls as Jordan won the scoring title, league MVP and Finals MVP Awards.
Spectacular power forward Shawn Kemp spend his career denying gravity. From highlight reel in game dunks to jaw dropping performances in the Slam Dunk contest, this cat is as fitting as anyone to be included in this set.
New Jersey Nets second year guard Kerry Kittles is next on the checklist. Although he doesn’t belong next to many of these greats in terms of career impact and numbers, KK definitely was a worthy inclusion this set. Kittles threw down his fair share of dunks during his time on the NBA hardwood and averaged over 17 points per game that season.
One of the 50 greatest players of all time, Utah Jazz powerful forward Karl Malone is the 12th player in GD. The Mailman spent 20 years in the league throwing down vicious jams, many with his classic one hand behind the head finish.
A rookie that year Toronto Raptors sensation Tracy McGrady kept fans in awe with many dunks, lay ups and offensive highlights that makes him a natural fit in this set, even as a rook.
Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the greatest centers not only of the era but of all time. He denied gravity by twisting, turning, spinning, Dream Shaking and just all around finessing his way into the record books and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
A man who denied gravity by absolute brute force, Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal was possibly the most dominating force in league history. Nearly unstoppable, Shaq could push gravity aside at any moment he chose. He’s seen throwing down a two handed monster jam in his yellow Lakers uni on this particular card.
Chicago Bulls Hall of Fame forward Scottie Pippen is next up. Pippen, also one of the 50 greatest of all time, wowed fans over the course of his career, defying and denying gravity on countless occasions, maybe none more special or memorable than his ferocious dunk on rival Patrick Ewing in the United Center. Afterwards, he prceeded to tell Knicks super fan Spike Lee to sit down.
Jerry Stackhouse and Tim Thomas are on cards 17 and 18, then comes Boston Celtics star Antoine Walker, who became the second highest Celtic rookie scorer of all time behind only Larry Bird. His inside game is lethal but he could get a bucket from anywhere on the court.
One of the more fun, athletic and entertaining big men of the era, Chris Weber rounds out the set. By this point in his career C-Webb was denying gravity for the Washington Wizards but was still pretty spectacular nonetheless. 
Due to obvious surface wear scratching and edge and border issues these cards are but you’re very desirable and top tier condition. A PSA 9 Jordan copy sold for $700 early this year. A BGS 9.5 Gem Mint Kobe Bryant copy sold for nearly $850 not long afterward. You can see what’s currently available on eBay here.
This is a really fun, somewhat complicated set that pushes the envelope as far as what may even be considered a card but it’s one of those 90s issues that include both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and shows that card companies weren’t afraid to try something totally different at a moment’s notice.
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