They were no longer newcomers to the trading card market. By 1992, Upper Deck had become a well established major player in an exploding hobby. As a new basketball season approached, they picked and rolled and did whatever they had to do to offer a card of one of the most impactful rookies in the sport's history. The 1992-93 Upper Deck basketball set won't go down as one … [Read more...] about 1992-93 Upper Deck Basketball Throws Down Slam Dunk Iconic Rookie, Solid Inserts, Legends
Shaquille O'Neal
30 Years Ago, Classic Shook Up The Basketball Market With An Exclusive Contract With Shaquille O’Neal
In 1992, Shaquille O'Neal was heralded as the biggest NBA rookie in years. Fresh off of a three-year career at LSU, O'Neal had become one of the most dominant players in the college game, averaging 24.1 points and 14 rebounds per contest in his final year. The dominant center was ready to step into a starring role with the Orlando Magic, who quickly scooped him up as the top … [Read more...] about 30 Years Ago, Classic Shook Up The Basketball Market With An Exclusive Contract With Shaquille O’Neal
TNT Crew Talks Russell Auction Ahead of Friday Finale
The auction of items from the life and career of Bill Russell is heading for the finish line with a live finale set for this Friday in Boston. Hunt Auctions is selling Russell's championship rings, MVP awards, photos, some game-used items and other items. The auction got a major plug from the NBA on TNT crew Tuesday night, with Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles … [Read more...] about TNT Crew Talks Russell Auction Ahead of Friday Finale
PSA’s June Grading Tally: 736,000 Cards, Including Mountain of MJ
PSA’s months-long shutdown for all but some higher value services continues as the company tries to work through millions of cards that clogged its grading pipeline. The numbers of cards being authenticated and graded now is staggering, but there’s still a mammoth backlog. Data compiled by GemRate.com indicates the company graded about 736,000 cards—over 24,000 … [Read more...] about PSA’s June Grading Tally: 736,000 Cards, Including Mountain of MJ
Jewels in the Junk – 1990s NBA Sleepers
We’ve written, at some length, about the formative and transformative periods in the history of basketball cards. We all know the drill by now: star-studded 1961-62 Fleer gives way to, well, nothing for the better part of a decade. Topps redefines the hobby, first with its legendary 1969-70 set, then as the only game in town until early 1980s. Topps makes for the exit, again, … [Read more...] about Jewels in the Junk – 1990s NBA Sleepers
“Before They Were Pros” Video Library Auction Includes Kobe, LeBron, Shaq
Over 22 hours of Kobe Bryant high school game and interview footage will be going up for auction on July 23rd in Los Angeles. The Bryant footage dates to the mid-1990s and is a part of the media library of award-winning sports reporter Stu Ross, from his locally produced syndicated TV program, High School Sports Show. The entire library covers over 700 of some of the … [Read more...] about “Before They Were Pros” Video Library Auction Includes Kobe, LeBron, Shaq
Shaq Rookie Shoe Gets 25th Anniversary Salute with Autographs
He was the next “big thing.” The buzz around the mobile 7-footer from LSU was the talk of the NBA in November of 1992. Sneaker companies had vied for his services but in the end, Shaq’s rookie shoes were size 22 Reebok PUMPs. Now, that old school sneaker is back as a piece of autographed Shaq memorabilia. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of O’Neal’s NBA … [Read more...] about Shaq Rookie Shoe Gets 25th Anniversary Salute with Autographs
When Shaq and Stallone Made a Trade: Bling to Hit Block
One earned multiple championships. The other made multiple movies. Both earned a lot of money. Fifteen years ago, Shaq and fellow Los Angeles resident Sylvester Stallone were pals who made a memorabilia trade. Now, Shaq’s glitzy gift to Sly is going on the auction block. SCP Auctions will sell a 2002 Lakers championship ring O’Neal handed to the man forever known as … [Read more...] about When Shaq and Stallone Made a Trade: Bling to Hit Block
Shaq Rookie Cards: Little Money for the Big Man
It was the time of the basketball card boom when a giant rookie from LSU entered the NBA. Nearly 25 years have passed and he’s now a retired legend of the game and a Hall of Fame nominee. He can still dunk (just ask Charles Barkley), but back then, Shaq rookie cards were sizzling in anticipation of a huge career to follow. As he matriculated to the Orlando Magic … [Read more...] about Shaq Rookie Cards: Little Money for the Big Man
Panini: High-End Flawless Basketball to Return
It takes a good deal of nerve and even more confidence to name a product Flawless. Because if it isn’t flawless, then collectors will let you know. But Panini America, fueled by two years of high-end releases that were packaged in briefcases, is confident that this year’s version of Flawless basketball will live up to its hype. Although, to be honest, the company might be … [Read more...] about Panini: High-End Flawless Basketball to Return