Greatest hobby rookie class of all time
 

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but I think it will be fun to chew on heading into the draft.

On this week's episode of my podcast, I talked a little about how Kawhi's Finals MVP last night puts him back in place to help anchor the 2012 hobby rookie class.

We talk a lot about what is the best draft class of all time, but what about the hobby draft class? The distinction here is that not everyone has a rookie card from the year they were drafted. Some major outliers include 1957, 1986, and 2012 sets (the first two because of a lack of licensed cards, the latter because of the double class).

Whether it's fair or not, I want to throw them all into the mix here. I've got 7 hobby rookie classes that you can vote on and I've tried to highlight some of the better names in the spreadsheet below.

Admittedly, while I've done quite a bit of reading on NBA history, for the earlier classes I used HOF as my main criteria (there might be someone on there that made it for reasons other than playing that I completely missed). For 2003, the lower 5 names are the only 5 other players to even make an All-Star game (with 3 due to injuries). You could argue that a player like Leandro Barbosa should be there, but something like that isn't going to move the needle for one class over another.

I'd love to see this generate some discussion here in the days leading up to the draft. Please don't turn this into another LBJ vs. MJ thread...there are enough of those as is :)

[IMG]https://cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2019/6/14/7ca733b6d2a07dd94a972622a28db0f6-full.jpg[/IMG]

EDIT: I forgot 1969-70 Topps on my original spreadsheet and my poll. I don't know how to edit the poll :(

Ugh I forgot to include 1969 in the spreadsheet and on the poll :(

Can a mod edit the poll for me to add 1969?

By 1986 do you mean 1984?

Woops I’m bad at reading

You forget star cards though. They are licensed.

[QUOTE=6celtics33;14764506]Woops I’m bad at reading

You forget star cards though. They are licensed.[/QUOTE]

Technically they are, but I decided to exclude them because they aren't as "mainstream."

I think it’s 96 probably

Lots of collectible players and the invention of such sets as

Rubies
Platinum medallion
Flair legacy
Topps chrome refractor
Credentials

Great hobby time

If we are talking about players in a class, it is 1961 by a landslide. You have 3 of the top 10 players all time and a 4th just outside the top 10. 1957 is Bill Russell, 1984 is Michael Jordan with Olajuwon just outside the top 10, 1996 is Kobe, 2003 is LeBron. The talent at the top of the 1961 class (actually 3 different drafts) is unmatched.

[QUOTE=6celtics33;14764515]I think it’s 96 probably

Lots of collectible players and the invention of such sets as

Rubies
Platinum medallion
Flair legacy
Topps chrome refractor
Credentials

Great hobby time[/QUOTE]

Interesting take. What would your answer be if we were talking just the players themselves?

[QUOTE=rats60;14764714]If we are talking about players in a class, it is 1961 by a landslide. You have 3 of the top 10 players all time and a 4th just outside the top 10. 1957 is Bill Russell, 1984 is Michael Jordan with Olajuwon just outside the top 10, 1996 is Kobe, 2003 is LeBron. The talent at the top of the 1961 class (actually 3 different drafts) is unmatched.[/QUOTE]

I like your thinking here. I guess what we have to decide is, how much can a couple of strong names carry a class? Do the 3 drafts of the 1961 class outweigh the 10 or so years between some of the other hobby classes? I know you mentioned the top 3 in 61, but I also think Elgin Baylor is one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. Thanks for your thoughts!

No 2009? Just curious

[QUOTE=Supersuper;14764894]No 2009? Just curious[/QUOTE]

^^ YEET!!!!!!

I voted 1961.

[QUOTE=Deadshot;14764871]Interesting take. What would your answer be if we were talking just the players themselves?



I like your thinking here. I guess what we have to decide is, how much can a couple of strong names carry a class? Do the 3 drafts of the 1961 class outweigh the 10 or so years between some of the other hobby classes? I know you mentioned the top 3 in 61, but I also think Elgin Baylor is one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. Thanks for your thoughts![/QUOTE]

I was including Baylor, although generally not considered top 10, he is close. 27.5/13.5/4.3 stands up against most of the greats. He was just blocked by loaded Celtics teams from getting rings. He averaged 40/18 in the 1962 Finals and still couldn't get a ring.

Beyond the big 4, the 1961 class has 14 Hofers and 7 of the NBA's top 50 as RCs. So it just isn't top heavy, but has depth too.

Hobby draft class (which is what was actually asked) is totally different

96 is the answer

Why? Because Topps Chrome

We wouldn’t be where we are without 96

[QUOTE=Supersuper;14764894]No 2009? Just curious[/QUOTE]

I supposed that one escaped my mind for the time being, but with Blake, Steph, Harden, Curry, and Ibaka they deserve a look, too. Where do you rank them?

[QUOTE=ilikenicecards;14764937]I voted 1961.[/QUOTE]

I think there's a pretty convincing case for 61.

[QUOTE=rats60;14764998]I was including Baylor, although generally not considered top 10, he is close. 27.5/13.5/4.3 stands up against most of the greats. He was just blocked by loaded Celtics teams from getting rings. He averaged 40/18 in the 1962 Finals and still couldn't get a ring.

Beyond the big 4, the 1961 class has 14 Hofers and 7 of the NBA's top 50 as RCs. So it just isn't top heavy, but has depth too.[/QUOTE]

Ah ok, I was assuming you had some combo of Wilt, West, and Oscar. I'm very much pro-Baylor. Thank you for clarifying!

[QUOTE=asujbl;14765006]Hobby draft class (which is what was actually asked) is totally different

96 is the answer

Why? Because Topps Chrome

We wouldn’t be where we are without 96[/QUOTE]

I suppose I left a lot up to interpretation there. I really meant just the players, but throwing in sets would make for another interesting wrinkle as well. I figure that would also help boost 2003, depending on what you think of Exquisite.

And Demar Derozan, Jeff Teague also in 2009, I would rank them behind 96, and 2003.

[QUOTE=Deadshot;14765030]I supposed that one escaped my mind for the time being, but with Blake, Steph, Harden, Curry, and Ibaka they deserve a look, too. Where do you rank them?



I think there's a pretty convincing case for 61.



Ah ok, I was assuming you had some combo of Wilt, West, and Oscar. I'm very much pro-Baylor. Thank you for clarifying!



I suppose I left a lot up to interpretation there. I really meant just the players, but throwing in sets would make for another interesting wrinkle as well. I figure that would also help boost 2003, depending on what you think of Exquisite.[/QUOTE]

Fair

I don’t consider the old classes hobby worthy... just great player worthy

96 changed the hobby

So did 03 with LeBron RC autos I suppose

[QUOTE=ilikenicecards;14764937]I voted 1961.[/QUOTE]

Me too.

Wilt, Robertson, West, Baylor, etc.

[QUOTE=6celtics33;14764515]I think it’s 96 probably

Lots of collectible players and the invention of such sets as

Rubies
Platinum medallion
Flair legacy
Topps chrome refractor
Credentials

Great hobby time[/QUOTE]

For me it's 96 also.

Imagine swapping that 96 in to 2003 classes cards. Jesus, what an Exquisite set that would be.

[QUOTE=Supersuper;14765044]And Demar Derozan, Jeff Teague also in 2009, I would rank them behind 96, and 2003.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this right now. I'd like to see how the 2009 class ends their career. Blake had a monster yr in Detroit even though most people still think of him as a Clipper at this point.

1961 Fleer HOF RCs

[IMG]http://i68.tinypic.com/t7y6qd.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2ep32v9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/30k62w3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2qujaqw.jpg[/IMG] was PSA 7, Beckett is particular on centering

[IMG]http://i64.tinypic.com/30c9jyc.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/jpzyub.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i63.tinypic.com/f59idi.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/2ij2i9u.jpg[/IMG] was PSA 7, Beckett is particular on centering

[IMG]http://i68.tinypic.com/yjls0.jpg[/IMG]

Others not pictured are Richie Guerin, Wayne Embry, Guy Rodgers, Bailey Howell, Al Attles

I would've voted 08-09, that Derrick Rose, Beasley, Mayo stuff was huge then as the latter 2 faded guys popped up and kept growing, Russ, Love, Jordan, Lopez, Gallinari, Gordon, not to mention the guys who were Hyped like Anthony Randolph and the guys who shined short term, McGee, George Hill etc.

Today it is still a solid class and the design in UD and Topps main products are still beautiful.

[QUOTE=asujbl;14765006]Hobby draft class (which is what was actually asked) is totally different

96 is the answer

Why? Because Topps Chrome

We wouldn’t be where we are without 96[/QUOTE]

It could be argued that 2003 had the same or greater impact with Exquisite. That changed everything as well.

2009 is in the discussion for sure. Curry, Harden, Jrue, Blake, Derozan

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

really only a few options here

1996 - kobe, nash, ray allen, peja, marbury, iverson etc
1984 - mj, barkley, hakeem, stockton etc
2003 - lebron, wade, bosh, carmelo

[QUOTE=mondogenerator;14766253]really only a few options here

1996 - kobe, nash, ray allen, peja, marbury, iverson etc
1984 - mj, barkley, hakeem, stockton etc
2003 - lebron, wade, bosh, carmelo[/QUOTE]

None of those are really options.

1. 1961-14 Hofers, 7 of the top 50, 4 of the top 12
2. 1969- 18 Hofers, 12 of the top 50, 1 top 5

Everyone else is the far distance