Iconic Kobe & LeBron mailday

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by sebreg

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.

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.

Originally Posted by sebreg

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.

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Well said.
For me its:

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

It’s also a Kobe MVP year and card no. 24 in the set too. Little things, but it all adds up. Great card. Missed out on a few of them lately in auctions I thought I would win pretty easily but didn’t.

[theleica]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Holy shhhhhh

Another ended tonight at $11,877

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by theleica

Another ended tonight at $11,877

Predictions for this one (PWCC)?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...actor&_sacat=0

[theleica]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Predictions for this one (PWCC)?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...actor&_sacat=0

50 to 100% higher because it’s been a week since the last bump in price 😂

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by theleica

50 to 100% higher because it’s been a week since the last bump in price 😂

I wouldn't be upset if you're correct. The PWCC copy listed above is currently at $9k

[rainmaker]

This is one of the few non rc (non exquisite) that has a chance to break into extremely high value levels. It’s already one of Kobe’s most valuable. I’ve said it before but it’s the best looking card made in the 2000s and could very well be the most iconic basketball card of them all...

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by theleica

50 to 100% higher because it’s been a week since the last bump in price 😂

Nope, actually "only" $10,700 (plus $80 shipping)

[yaofan11]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Nope, actually "only" $10,700 (plus $80 shipping)

I think the xfractor bgs 9.5 (18k)and psa 10 (57k) ending at same time took attention away from the psa 9

[YouTheManNick]

I have one of the base of this card currently at PSA - should come back soon - when I sent it back in August I had no idea it would explode this much. I actually had two, but the other was super offcenter so I traded it toward something else. Oops. Anyway. I don't know what to do with it when it comes back. The original plan was to keep it, but if it's a 10 I don't know if I can pass up that kind of money for base card that I pulled out of a $50 box back in 2008.

I should mention I'm not particularly a fan of Kobe nor LeBron. The card really doesn't do anything for me. So there's no emotion in it. A part of me wants to just put it away and forget about it for a while. A part of me wants to trade it for a big-ish MJ insert.

Basically. What I'm asking is do you all really think this is just one of those cards that you gotta hold no matter what?

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by YouTheManNick

I have one of the base of this card currently at PSA - should come back soon - when I sent it back in August I had no idea it would explode this much. I actually had two, but the other was super offcenter so I traded it toward something else. Oops. Anyway. I don't know what to do with it when it comes back. The original plan was to keep it, but if it's a 10 I don't know if I can pass up that kind of money for base card that I pulled out of a $50 box back in 2008.

I should mention I'm not particularly a fan of Kobe nor LeBron. The card really doesn't do anything for me. So there's no emotion in it. A part of me wants to just put it away and forget about it for a while. A part of me wants to trade it for a big-ish MJ insert.

Basically. What I'm asking is do you all really think this is just one of those cards that you gotta hold no matter what?

If you're talking about a base chrome (not a refractor etc) I think you sell it and buy something you really love.
While I feel this is an iconic image and always have value, you'll easily be able to pick up a chrome or topps flagship base version

[rainmaker]

There are plenty available but I see this being one of the most in demand and highly collected (kept) cards in the entire hobby. If it doesn’t mean anything to you though it makes plenty sense to capture these crazy gains and move toward something you like better.

[YouTheManNick]

That's how I feel. I guess I just wanted someone to reassure me.

The way cards have exploded over the past year has really caught me off guard. Like most people who 'got in early' I'm having to make some decisions I never thought I'd have to make. I'll be completely honest. I never saw this boom coming. I used to think I was crazy for spending money on cards. Now I wish I'd spent more.

I think I'm definitely gonna sell / trade it for something else. Thanks.

[GiantPirate]

Bought one regular Topps at a $224 bin a couple weeks back and just flipped for $480, easy money.

I personally love the image and do believe it will have lasting power in the hobby but I'm not gonna pass up that type of ROI.

[Sunsfan86]

I'm curious, is the 2004-05 lebron black diamond with kobe super under valued for a lebron second year card right now? Such a great card.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Sunsfan86

I'm curious, is the 2004-05 lebron black diamond with kobe super under valued for a lebron second year card right now? Such a great card.

Maybe so but Kobe 08 is on another level. Not sure it’s an apples to apples comparison.

[yoyosh]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Topps-...p2047675.l2557

$11.9 on this one

[JewVol]

Originally Posted by YouTheManNick

I have one of the base of this card currently at PSA - should come back soon - when I sent it back in August I had no idea it would explode this much. I actually had two, but the other was super offcenter so I traded it toward something else. Oops. Anyway. I don't know what to do with it when it comes back. The original plan was to keep it, but if it's a 10 I don't know if I can pass up that kind of money for base card that I pulled out of a $50 box back in 2008.

I should mention I'm not particularly a fan of Kobe nor LeBron. The card really doesn't do anything for me. So there's no emotion in it. A part of me wants to just put it away and forget about it for a while. A part of me wants to trade it for a big-ish MJ insert.

Basically. What I'm asking is do you all really think this is just one of those cards that you gotta hold no matter what?

You can do anything you want with it. Just keep it in your back pocket ready to sell when you see a huge card you want more than the kobe LBJ.

[JewVol]

Originally Posted by YouTheManNick

That's how I feel. I guess I just wanted someone to reassure me.

The way cards have exploded over the past year has really caught me off guard. Like most people who 'got in early' I'm having to make some decisions I never thought I'd have to make. I'll be completely honest. I never saw this boom coming. I used to think I was crazy for spending money on cards. Now I wish I'd spent more.

I think I'm definitely gonna sell / trade it for something else. Thanks.

Me too buddy. I'm just about having to start thinking if my cards are worth more to me than a nice house. And it came out of nowhere really fast. I had to take like 20 cards to the safety deposit box that I had for years. Paid 20 or so for most years ago then randomly look them up they're all creeping up to or well over 1k. It's nutty.

It's an interesting topic to me that I'm sure most collectors are having to deal with. What to do with the new found unrealized gains vs also continuing in the hobby.

[nin5k72]

Was shocked to see how much this card is selling for. I picked up a base refractor a couple years back because I loved the photo.

[theleica]

Originally Posted by JewVol

Me too buddy. I'm just about having to start thinking if my cards are worth more to me than a nice house. And it came out of nowhere really fast. I had to take like 20 cards to the safety deposit box that I had for years. Paid 20 or so for most years ago then randomly look them up they're all creeping up to or well over 1k. It's nutty.

It's an interesting topic to me that I'm sure most collectors are having to deal with. What to do with the new found unrealized gains vs also continuing in the hobby.

I bought a nice house and threw a ton of money into it renovating with the sale of some cards. Never would have thought that would be a possibility even 2 years ago. Still holding the cards I really enjoy like variations of this card.