The 1996-97 rookie class was completely loaded with talent, and rates among the best of all-time. Iverson, Marbury, Allen, Kobe, Nash, O’Neal, Abdur-Rahim, Stojakovic, Camby, Walker, the list goes on and on. You’ve got players who made big impacts on contending and championship teams, Derek Fisher, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Kerry Kittles, Shandon Anderson, Erick Dampier, Malik… Read More Best Rookie Class Ever? 1996-97 Ultra All-Rookie
Retail blasters and hanger packs have started to show up in local stores and are also staying online past a few minutes, which is a welcomed shift. Even though I don’t typically open a bunch of current year products, my son is all about basketball right now (he’s 5) and is showing a lot of… Read More Opening a 2020-21 Flux Blaster Box
I started collecting cards in the mid-90s with my dad, traded cards with friends in the late 90s, and really solidified my NBA fandom during that time as well. I know there are folks who agree that the 90s have the best inserts, and while I like to think I have pretty good knowledge about… Read More Grape Jelly Never Looked this Good: That’s Jam Pickup
I’m starting this post by stating that I’m a Pacers fan first. I started cheering for the Pacers in the mid-90s when Reggie Miller and team regularly went deep in the playoffs, battled the Knicks, MJ, etc… While Indiana’s been consistently good, not great, for quite some time, the Spurs obtained the ultimate prize five… Read More It Must be a Spurs Thing: Dejounte Murray Rookies
Interested in seeing art and basketball cards intertwined? @marbury3collector on Instagram collects Stephon Marbury and is working on series of abstract art pieces featuring cards from his impressive card collection. The combination of the Marbury cards and the color coordinated backgrounds is stunning. I reached out to marbury3collector to get some background and find out… Read More Starbury and Abstract Art Intersect: Interview with marbury3collector on Instagram
The 2006-07 rookie class was in my opinion one of the weakest in the decade, hobby impact wise. LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, those are the biggest names looking back. Not a bad group of players, but many of the top picks didn’t have all-star careers like you’d… Read More Parallels and Relics Galore: 2006-07 Bowman Elevation
Parallels of all different colors and types have come and gone over the years, and they are more prevalent today than ever before. A popular parallel in many Panini products is Cracked Ice, and they are stunning parallels, for sure. When we look back at similar parallels from other companies, the Topps Atomic Refractors definitely… Read More Cracked Ice Before There Was Cracked Ice: 1999-00 Flair Showcase Elevators
A couple things I miss since the pandemic began, going to the movies, and going to professional sporting events. I enjoy seeing the coming attractions as I walk up to the theater, the movie posters and cardboard cutouts inside, and the previews before the movies. On the sports side, and in particular, going to NBA… Read More It’s Showtime: 2009-10 Upper Deck Now Appearing
Looking back at rookie cards from 2001-02 Topps basketball, inserted at 1:4 packs.… Read More The Year Topps Rookie Cards Were Short-Printed and Redemptions
Taking a look back at the Big Shots insert set from 1997-98 Ultra basketball.… Read More Who Wants the Ball? 1997-98 Ultra Big Shots
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