When he was drafted, fans of the Knicks booed the pick. Now, only a few games into his NBA career, crowds in Madison Square Garden chant his name and card collectors all over the world are searching for Kristaps Porzingis rookie cards. The New York Knicks list "The Zinger" at 7’3. Unlike 7-6 Yao Ming he doesn't have a country of over a billion people as potential fans, but … [Read more...]
NBA Finals MVPs of the 2000s and Their Rookie Cards
Like the 1990s, the first decade of the 21st century had a bit of a dynasty feel at the start. The Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen Bulls had faded into history, replaced by Shaq and Kobe. While they didn’t win every NBA Finals MVP of the 2000s, their rookie cards were at the top of collector want lists. Some of them date back to the previous decade while others were … [Read more...]
Rookie Cards of 1980s NBA Finals MVPs
It was the decade that brought us the Showtime Lakers, the gritty, gutty Celtics and Sixers and a rebirth of pro basketball under commissioner David Stern. The hoops card market was struggling as the 1980s began but still gave us one of the era's greatest cards. By the end, it was a free-for-all but some of the greats who won MVPs in the era had their rookie cards during the … [Read more...]
NBA Finals MVPs of the 1970s and Their Rookie Cards
Basketball card collectors will often identify a group of players and collect their rookie cards. Sometimes it’s a collection of Hall of Famers or simply a favorite player. Team collectors will focus one on franchise. Another option is to collect the best players at the pinnacle of their careers: rookie cards of the NBA Finals MVPs. These players are the best of the best … [Read more...]
Pete Maravich Rookie Card Still Stands Tall
It may be hard for today’s fans to understand in a world where every great college player has a lengthy highlight reel but there was still a bit of a mystery surrounding the NBA’s most anticipated prospect back in 1970. Only a few of his college games had been televised nationally. Pro scouts could only guess as to his impact on the league. The interest and value of … [Read more...]
DeMarcus Cousins a Worthwhile Investment?
He’s among the NBA leaders in scoring and rebounding but that doesn't mean basketball cards of DeMarcus Cousins are priced at a similar level. Collectors who want cards of one of the NBA's most dominating players—and a potential future Hall of Famer-- can find plenty of them for much less than you might expect. Cousins and the Sacramento Kings have struggled and his … [Read more...]
5 Underrated Old Basketball Card Sets
While many collectors chase the most valuable old basketball card sets like the original Bowman, 1957 Topps or 1961 Fleer, there are many other issues to consider. And maybe it’s time we redefined the word “old” because the 80s were a long time ago now and that’s where some value-packed sets reside. The interest in iconic and memorable players from the 1980s and 90s … [Read more...]
Vintage Cards Set Records in Memory Lane Auction
The hobby’s first major catalog auction of 2015 came to a close early Sunday when. Memory Lane’s Past and Present auction closed with hundreds of top end sports cards and collectibles changing hands. Among the headline items was a 1933 DeLong Gum Lou Gehrig, graded PSA 8, which sold for a record-setting $45,410. Post-War vintage cards of Hall of Famers can be … [Read more...]
Cheap Basketball Card Sets Past and Present
Card collecting always evolves. Every generation has a different way of determining which cards are the ones to have. In the past, nothing was as exceptional as a complete set. But times have changed, and as collectors focus on rarer inserts it leaves many unwanted common cards. That can provide an opportunity for collectors who aren’t hung up on the … [Read more...]
Ramblings: This Card is More Important Than You Think It Is
In reporting, sometimes the real story is buried well under the lead. When one looks back at sports cards in the rearview mirror, the original importance of some cards evolves to a whole new meaning. One of these cards which has gone through this type of evolution is the 1989 Hoops David Robinson. When this card was first released in packs, it seemed as is every customer … [Read more...]