Iconic Kobe & LeBron mailday

[yoyosh]

I purchased this card raw in January an embarrassingly low price by today's standards.
I don't buy many raw cards that are over $100, so at the time it was a big decision...but I felt it was an iconic image and I went for it.

It's just back this week from a Jewcer sub, and this is going deep into the PC.
There's currently only 83 graded by PSA

[KhalDrogo]

Fantastic! Congrats. Nothing wrong with a fine 9.

[sebreg]

Congrats! Beautiful card from an amazing set, featuring two all-timers!

[hoopstaj]

Awesome card! Congrats on the grade


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[alwayson22]

Beautiful!

[BosPats1980]

AWESOME CARD!! Congrats!

[yoyosh]

Thanks fellas!
I bought this before reading tjforce post, but between that and mail days like this I'm def reevaluating what (and how) I collect

[sebreg]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Thanks fellas!
I bought this before reading tjforce post, but between that and mail days like this is def reevaluating what (and how) I collect

Curious as to how you are reevaluating your collecting?

I caught an interesting post tjforce made about the flooding of the market after a championship (regarding more common cards of the successful player) and the sort of counterintuitive dive in price that can cause right after winning. I hadn't thought about that but makes some sense, but no clue how common that phenomenon actually is...

I tend to be a base rookie guy, but I wouldn't mind getting some nice non-rookie Topps Chrome Lebron/Kobe cards (for the right price!). There are a few that I really love (including this one), great designs and fantastic action shots.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Thanks fellas!
I bought this before reading tjforce post, but between that and mail days like this I'm def reevaluating what (and how) I collect

It’s amazing what’s happened with this card. I have a bit of a different take on it—who knows if it has any weight, but here goes. I think this card and it’s popularity are a reflection of a growing trend in the hobby investors to consolidate assets into mega assets. I think this card is becoming an “it” card, or a “destination card” as I like to call it. As people refine their collections with “prime” cards—the Jordan/LeBron/Kobe/etc., these are the types of cards that become major targets.

It’s not just a Kobe refractor—which carries a ton of weight by itself. It’s not just that he’s being guarded by a young LeBron. It’s those things PLUS how the story has played out with these 2 sports figures. That photo/moment in time captures so much in relation to what we know now. It’s why I think of this card as a consolidation card—one worthy of, like you said, rethinking/restructuring your collection to acquire. It’s gotta be high on the list of top basketball card targets by both investors and collectors.

[sebreg]

Originally Posted by FT35

It’s amazing what’s happened with this card. I have a bit of a different take on it—who knows if it has any weight, but here goes. I think this card and it’s popularity are a reflection of a growing trend in the hobby investors to consolidate assets into mega assets. I think this card is becoming an “it” card, or a “destination card” as I like to call it. As people refine their collections with “prime” cards—the Jordan/LeBron/Kobe/etc., these are the types of cards that become major targets.

It’s not just a Kobe refractor—which carries a ton of weight by itself. It’s not just that he’s being guarded by a young LeBron. It’s those things PLUS how the story has played out with these 2 sports figures. That photo/moment in time captures so much in relation to what we know now. It’s why I think of this card as a consolidation card—one worthy of, like you said, rethinking/restructuring your collection to acquire. It’s gotta be high on the list of top basketball card targets by both investors and collectors.

Interesting take, thanks for sharing. There are a few Topps Chrome non-rookie base Lebron and Kobe cards I'd love to pick up. Some of the action shots and card designs are just phenomenal.

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by FT35

It’s amazing what’s happened with this card. I have a bit of a different take on it—who knows if it has any weight, but here goes. I think this card and it’s popularity are a reflection of a growing trend in the hobby investors to consolidate assets into mega assets. I think this card is becoming an “it” card, or a “destination card” as I like to call it. As people refine their collections with “prime” cards—the Jordan/LeBron/Kobe/etc., these are the types of cards that become major targets.

It’s not just a Kobe refractor—which carries a ton of weight by itself. It’s not just that he’s being guarded by a young LeBron. It’s those things PLUS how the story has played out with these 2 sports figures. That photo/moment in time captures so much in relation to what we know now. It’s why I think of this card as a consolidation card—one worthy of, like you said, rethinking/restructuring your collection to acquire. It’s gotta be high on the list of top basketball card targets by both investors and collectors.

Well said.
For me its:

Iconic player(s)? CHECK
Iconic set (2008 Topps Chrome)? CHECK
Scarcity (less than 100 refractors graded by PSA)? CHECK

[icollectrookies]

Great card! Congrats!!!!

[Djroma]

Such a beautiful card !! I just got mine back from BGS as well. This is a lifetime hold

This photo just screams so much history. Crazy we got to see them battle it out in their primes.

[MBMiller25]

Great card! Congratulations

[yoyosh]

**Insert eyes bugging out of head emoji**

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-TOPPS-...53.m1438.l2649

[theleica]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

**Insert eyes bugging out of head emoji**

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-TOPPS-...53.m1438.l2649

Beautiful card and great taste My favorite set and one of my favorite cards ever.

I have 2 Kobe's. 1 Refractor and 1 Orange. Bought them raw along with 2 Lebron refractors from the same set & a 2018 Optic LeBron Checkerboard. I "overpaid" wildly in January 2020 for them because the seller guaranteed me that I'd get PSA 10s on them if I graded. Boy am I happy with that purchase because they are all PSA 10s and with grading I have $1800 into them.

Thank you for indulging me and if you want to bug out further, look up the base PSA 10 ones...

[gregboise]

Check out the 2003 Freshman Season Upper Deck #39

(Kobe guarding a rookie LeBron, kind of the mirror image of the 2008 Topps Kobe, with LeBron guarding)

That UD card has potential, too as a "destination card"

[rainmaker]

This is arguably the most iconic card of the 2000s. I completely agree that modern collectors, myself included, seek cards that emote something. People want cool cards. A time capture that is bigger than what a standard rc or rare insert can offer. 08 Kobe topps is on the short list of the best cards that do just that. I see the refractor in mint+ being a 5 figure card soon if not already, with an unlimited ceiling as demand will always outweigh supply.

Kudos on the high grade it’s a cornerstone piece for any collection, mega key modern awesomeness.

[cowboyzqna]

Amazing. Congrats man.

[theleica]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

This is arguably the most iconic card of the 2000s. I completely agree that modern collectors, myself included, seek cards that emote something. People want cool cards. A time capture that is bigger than what a standard rc or rare insert can offer. 08 Kobe topps is on the short list of the best cards that do just that. I see the refractor in mint+ being a 5 figure card soon if not already, with an unlimited ceiling as demand will always outweigh supply.

Kudos on the high grade it’s a cornerstone piece for any collection, mega key modern awesomeness.

Completely agree. I seek cards with great design and great photography. It helps when one of the most iconic basketball photographers, Andrew Bernstein, is the one behind the lens.

A refractor has to be 5 figures if the base PSA 10 is $8500.

[Mrsportcardz]

Love this card. I've got the below only two copies graded an 8 or above, PSA 8 and BGS 8.5 that are out there.... 4-PSA 7's are also out there somewhere...Blacks are numbered to /51..... The cool thing about the Topps Editions are that it states "51 Years of Collecting" on the top edge of the pic on all the Topps Color ones, for their 51st anniversary.... Incredible picture, Iconic card.

[IMG]IMG_20201223_135738_352 by MrSportCardz, on Flickr[/IMG]

[theleica]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

**Insert eyes bugging out of head emoji**

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-TOPPS-...53.m1438.l2649

Auction ended at $10,700....

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by theleica

Auction ended at $10,700....

Holy shhhhhh

[yoyosh]

Next up
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Topps-...53.m1438.l2649

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Next up
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Topps-...53.m1438.l2649

11,877