The best non-auto, non-rookie basketball card of the modern era?
 

What's the best non-auto, non-rookie, non-patch/jersey card of the modern era?

I think it's the 2008 Topps Chrome Kobe & Lebron, just when you consider everything that makes cards valuable and coveted and iconic.

Here were my thoughts on the subject:

[URL="https://www.cardboardscene.com/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-basketball-card-modern-era/"]https://www.cardboardscene.com/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-basketball-card-modern-era/[/URL]

Any other considerations?

MJ PMG or Jambalaya? Valuable appears to be a consideration.

I don't know what iconic means. Every single card is iconic so I don't really see how any card is iconic. Kind of like PSA ready or pack fresh.

[QUOTE=Willikn;17224470]MJ PMG or Jambalaya? Valuable appears to be a consideration.

I don't know what iconic means. Every single card is iconic so I don't really see how any card is iconic. Kind of like PSA ready or pack fresh.[/QUOTE]

Iconic implies a reverence or memorable quality. I wouldn't think every card is revered or memorable, just like every card is not PSA ready or pack fresh :) :)

the pump neba stops

A base card is certainly not the best card of the modern era.

2018 Lebron Optic Base.

preferred finals patch booklets of HOFers. Game matched patches of finals series.

I'll take 2012 LeBron Prizm Silver/Gold or MJ 1993 Finest Refractor.

First cards of an iconic brand... and not some high production base card.

[QUOTE=tjforce;17224864]I'll take 2012 LeBron Prizm Silver/Gold or MJ 1993 Finest Refractor.

First cards of an iconic brand... and not some high production base card.[/QUOTE]

Great examples and an interesting way to look at it. Essentially a product "rookie" which is cool.

[QUOTE=pbralex;17224903]Great examples and an interesting way to look at it. Essentially a [B]product "rookie[/B]" which is cool.[/QUOTE]
Can't wait to see the ebay listings with this in the title

[QUOTE=i4gotmyid;17225210]Can't wait to see the ebay listings with this in the title[/QUOTE]

they already do that...

[url]https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=first+year+optic+2016&_sacat=214&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=214&_odkw=first+year+optic[/url]

400+ listings using "first year optic" for 2016

[QUOTE=tjforce;17224864]I'll take 2012 LeBron Prizm Silver/Gold or MJ 1993 Finest Refractor.

First cards of an iconic brand... and not some high production base card.[/QUOTE]

I was going to say the exact same...

[QUOTE=tjforce;17224864]I'll take 2012 LeBron Prizm Silver/Gold or MJ 1993 Finest Refractor.

First cards of an iconic brand... and not some high production base card.[/QUOTE]

Agree.

Panini's first silver which happens to feature the best player of the Panini era.

Topps' first basketball refractor which happens to feature the best player of the Topps (modern) era.

2008 Kobe / Lebron Orange Refractor
Jordan Refractors
Giannis RC Orange / Silver Prizm

I do think one of the Curry or Harden Topps Chrome Refractor RC's will eventually reach $250k at some point as well.

90 Hoops Mark Jackson feat. Menendez Premeditation.

Checks off all the boxes.


Runner up: Sam Vincent feat. MJ looking like a bewildered crackhead.

1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald Michael Jordan
.
.
.
2012-13 Panini Prizm LeBron James Gold Prizm

/thread

[QUOTE=Tarheelsfan2012;17227049]1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald Michael Jordan
.
.
.
2012-13 Panini Prizm LeBron James Gold Prizm

/thread[/QUOTE]

It’s the PMG Green by a mile. After that it’s a Jordan Credentials Now. Kobe’s Green and Now follow that. We possibly get a Jordan Red PMG in the running.

I’d put the Lebron Prizm Gold in the Top-10 currently, I’m just not quite sure it will stand up long term. What it has going against it that all others above done have is it’s produced year after year now. The PMGs and Credentials, not so much.

I’m not a believer that when a card is sold as “first year xxx” it has staying power. That’s a little too gimmicky for me and doesn’t come across as something very salient.

If we recognize the Jordan PMG green as top dog, and we should, then is 1995 Metal (first year) undervalued? Of course it’s not. It doesn’t gain value because it’s the first of an ultra popular set.

[QUOTE=GeechQuest;17227196]It’s the PMG Green by a mile. After that it’s a Jordan Credentials Now. Kobe’s Green and Now follow that. We possibly get a Jordan Red PMG in the running.

I’d put the Lebron Prizm Gold in the Top-10 currently, I’m just not quite sure it will stand up long term. What it has going against it that all others above done have is it’s produced year after year now. The PMGs and Credentials, not so much.

I’m not a believer that when a card is sold as “first year xxx” it has staying power. That’s a little too gimmicky for me and doesn’t come across as something very salient.

If we recognize the Jordan PMG green as top dog, and we should, then is 1995 Metal (first year) undervalued? Of course it’s not. It doesn’t gain value because it’s the first of an ultra popular set.[/QUOTE]

You're probably right on the MJ Credentials but I would put the 12-13 LeBron up there with those Kobe's. It's not even 10 years old and is already up over 500K. I think it is this era's PMG Green(just 12-13).

I forgot a few others just because I was thinking parallels but any MJ/LeBron or MJ/Kobe Exquisite Dual Logoman non auto. I think there is at least one triple logoman of MJ/Kobe/LBJ as well.

[QUOTE=pbralex;17224507]Iconic implies a reverence or memorable quality. I wouldn't think every card is revered or memorable, just like every card is not PSA ready or pack fresh :) :)[/QUOTE]

Take everything he sais with a grain of salt. He's from Ohio lol.

I’m gonna buy a Kobe/Lebron topps in a few years when they’re selling for 20 bucks again.

[QUOTE=Easycards;17227293]I’m gonna buy a Kobe/Lebron topps in a few years when they’re selling for 20 bucks again.[/QUOTE]

When Amazon stock hit 500 bucks there were plenty of naysayers that were going to wait to buy until after the crash too...

[QUOTE=pbralex;17224462]What's the best non-auto, non-rookie, non-patch/jersey card of the modern era?

I think it's the 2008 Topps Chrome Kobe & Lebron, just when you consider everything that makes cards valuable and coveted and iconic.

Here were my thoughts on the subject:

[URL="https://www.cardboardscene.com/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-basketball-card-modern-era/"]https://www.cardboardscene.com/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-basketball-card-modern-era/[/URL]

Any other considerations?[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you also meant main set. That being the case, I think the card you've chosen, or perhaps the Topps, makes a lot of sense for just what you say.

Other candidates:

The LeBron 23 card from the same set. I personally prefer that card though I understand why the Kobe 24 has unique appeal.

The '97-98 Metal Universe Jordan is a strong candidate, but that card always feels a bit secondary to its own parallels.

While we're on the topic of Jordan, I'd like to imagine '95-96 Topps Jordan 1, which to me is right up there with his MU, but hasn't taken off like it.

The '12-13 Prizm LeBron 1 is the obvious choice for this decade. Though I'll give a shout out to the '15-16 Hoops Curry.

[QUOTE=KhalDrogo;17224843]A base card is certainly not the best card of the modern era.[/QUOTE]

Wow, something I can agree with you on! Miracles are possible.
Spot on. Imagine thinking it was a base case with the plethora of outrageously brilliant 90's inserts.

[QUOTE=Tallboy;17227506]Sounds like you also meant main set. That being the case, I think the card you've chosen, or perhaps the Topps, makes a lot of sense for just what you say.

Other candidates:

The LeBron 23 card from the same set. I personally prefer that card though I understand why the Kobe 24 has unique appeal.

The '97-98 Metal Universe Jordan is a strong candidate, but that card always feels a bit secondary to its own parallels.

While we're on the topic of Jordan, [B]I'd like to imagine '95-96 Topps Jordan 1, which to me is right up there with his MU, [/B]but hasn't taken off like it.

The '12-13 Prizm LeBron 1 is the obvious choice for this decade. Though I'll give a shout out to the '15-16 Hoops Curry.[/QUOTE]

What is it with you and 95/96 Topps Base? That's insanity, its not even close to being on par with the 97/98 Metal Universe 'Base' Jordan which is not even close to being a candidate for OP's question. PMG parallel, now we are talking... and yeah, the base doesn't just 'feel' secondary, it unequivocally is.

Does this count as "modern era"? Maybe not the best [I]per se[/I] considering the others mentioned so far, but what a game changer this was. Still influential.

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/YyDpFmd/93-94-michael-jordan-scoring-kings-ultra.jpg[/img][/url]

1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan
2008 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant/Lebron James
2012 Prizm LeBron