[kukocitb]

If you need help falling asleep.... KEEP READING.


I left home around 6 am. Not fun to get going at that time, but when heading to the National I make an exception.
I wanted to get a Randy Brown auto which he signed at 11 am. I got to the parking garage a little before 11. It took FOREVER to get a parking spot. Byron Scott collector had an autograph ticket for me. Thanks Paul for the free ticket! We chatted for a little while, but I was in a hurry to get in line so I told him we would chat more later. I had a 93/94 Topps Stadium Club first day issue to be signed. There was an older gentleman behind me in the autograph line and we had a great time chatting. He ended up giving me an additional Randy Brown autograph ticket so I tracked down a 7.5x11 cool photo that I also had signed. Randy was a very nice guy and was great to chat with.
While waiting in line I hear someone yelling Jeff! Jeff! I look around and I see someone looking at me and yelling my name. I was convinced that I did not know this person. It was BO’s ClipsandVols (Kyle #2). Harper and Kyle #2 were in the photo line for Ron Harper. It was great to meet Kyle #2 and we had a great time chatting throughout the weekend. Met up with Harper and he was PUMPED to have just met Ron. Harper left early on Thursday and I am bummed I wasn’t able to spend more time hanging out with him.
After that I was on the hunt for Deadshot (Kyle #1). I was able to track him down and he was Chad from Pack to the future podcast. Had a good time chatting with the both of them. Kyle and I found a place to sit on the floor in the carpeted area which was MUCH cooler temperature wise than the main area. We exchanged some cards and had a great time seeing what we got.
Thursday night was the Trade night and the motel close to the Hotel hosted by Kentucky basketball cards and Card collector 2 on IG. Kyle #1 and I agreed that we needed to get there early to get a table to sit and score some free stuff. Kyle #2 and Bigjs_sportscards joined us waiting in the line. It was getting close to the opening of trade night and Kyle #2 stepped outside for a minute. He comes inside and says Chad Ocho Cinco was outside smoking a cigar. I couldn’t believe it. I went outside and I spotted him right away. I walk up to him and say Chad Ocho Cinco and he stood up straight faced, walked up to me, gave me a big hug and told me he loved me…. I told him I loved him too LOL! Lucky enough I had a sweet patch card of his that I was able to get signed! GREAT time.
HUGE shout out to Kyle #1 for sacrificing himself to score us a great table at trade night. Might be the same table we had 2 years before. I stopped and got a trade night shirt but they didn’t have my size. I gave it to Kyle #1 but it was too big for him so he gave it to Kyle #2 since it was his size. Trade night was a BLAST. Chatted with SO many people. Sold some stuff. Met up with Artyman and Lakeshowcards who both had cards for me. Thanks again brothers! The trade night went STRONG for a long time. Kyle #1 and I were wanting to meet up with Jake@90sbballcards and Frankie3500. They ended up going to ANOTHER trade night on the 2nd floor. Kyle #1 and I decide to go up and join them. We sat there and looked through each others cards and chatted for hours. Kyle #1 asked for a ride back to his hotel. It was after 12 am. We walk back to the parking garage and the nightmare began. I knew I parked on the 3rd level but didn’t keep track exactly where. Kyle #1 and walked through the parking garage for at least 30 minutes. Seemed like an eternity. The parking garage is actually 2 separate garages that connect on certain levels. I believe at some point they navigated me to the other side of the parking garage. I was relieved to find my car. Took Kyle #1 to his hotel then stopped at Taco bell for some dinner. Got back to the hotel and couldn’t sleep. Then woke up at 7 am. NOT fun.

Day 2 was also insane. Tried to meet a few of the dealers that I hadn’t seen the day before. Met up With Meelypops, Santiago sports cards/Kentuckybasketballcards, Morris Oz, and I am sure a few others that I am forgetting. Ran into MANY collectors including thosebackpages, Stanley Johnson collector, and MANY others.
Day 2 was TONI KUKOC day. I was PUMPED. So pumped I forgot the most important rule of the national. I forgot deodorant. I know I know TMI! Luckily I wasn’t the worst smelling person in the place. Kukoc was signing at 2 pm so I hung out in the autograph pavilion for a while prior to getting a picture with him. There was a HUGE line to get photos with Ryan Sandberg and something was up because the timing was off. So they announced to get in line to get your picture with Kukoc so I had to walk around all the Sandberg fans that were NOT happy.

Here is the interaction between Toni and I:
Toni- Nice Shirt
Me- Thanks
Me- Since I am your BIGGEST fan can I induct you into the hall of fame
Toni- You have to be inducted into the hall of fame to induct someone in.
Me- I am getting inducted with you.
Toni- You have to get inducted first.
Me-…..
Toni-…
Camera guy (takes picture)

So after that I am getting my stuff together to get signed. I notice I am MISSING one of my autograph tickets and I start to panic. I had 3 things to get signed:
A full sized ball (premium ticket) with HOF inscription (inscription ticket)
An NBA debut ticket stub (Regular ticket) with NBA Debut Inscription (Inscription ticket)
FOCO bobble head base (premium ticket)

Long story short I found the ticket in the basketball box.
When waiting for an auto all the VIPs get the first shot of autos. Luckily some of my auto tickets were pretty low numbered so I was able to go soon after the VIPs. I get up there and it was kind of chaotic since I had a few things to get signed.
This interaction with Toni was NOT as good but still very happy.
Hand Toni the ticket stub.
Me- Please sign and write NBA debut.
Toni- signs and hands me back the ticket.
Me- looks at the ticket and only see the auto. Can you write NBA debut?
Toni- ummmmm you can write it
Me-awkward silence. I decided to let it be since I didn’t want to cause issues.
He signed the ball with HOF 2021 and signed the foco with no issues.
I think he was just worried he was going to misspell something or was unsure how he wanted to write it. I am not upset about it… it was just kind of odd.

When day 2 was drawing to an end we decided to get together and eat some Giordano’s pizza. Kyle #1, Kyle #2, BigJ’s and Jake 90sBBALLcards. HAD A BLAST talking cards, life, and everything inbetween. The Pizza was AMAZING. The Pineapple whip slushee at seven 11 is a game changer.
Stayed up WAY too late the first 2 nights. Told myself I was going to take it easy day 3. I did NOT. Met up with Pokemaniac. Dude has an INSANE Charles Barkley collection. Had a blast dropping some of the knowledge I have picked up over the years at the national.
I left the national Saturday night exhausted. I had a blast but I hit a low point. Mental health is no joke and I really didn’t take a moment to relax as much as I should have. So I went and got a BIG steak and wolfed it down. I came back to my room and CRASHED. I was falling asleep when someone pulled a fire alarm. I was hurting but went outside to make sure everything was ok then went back to sleep.
Pictures to follow. Had many great pick ups. A lot of great cards to be had for fair prices. Only picked up one Kukoc card I didn’t have but I guess it is better than 0. Kyle #1 also made me 2 sweet Kukoc customs. Thanks Kyle #1!
Overall the National was GREAT! Had a blast meeting new people and connect with old friends. I know I left out some people so if you interacted with me do not hesitate to speak up. This is only a SMALL fraction of what I experienced. My goal was talk cards and meet other collectors.

Any questions/comments are greatly appreciated.