The Official Kobe Bryant Thread

[aaronking23]

Originally Posted by Thirsty Whale

I'm looking to get a nice Kobe Upper Deck auto in the 2-5K range. I'm not familiar with the UD stuff, so I would be grateful if you could give me a few tips what I should look for in this range. I'm fine with PSA/BGS 9s (and maybe 8.5s as well if I like the card).

I'd say in that price range ultimate, sp authentic, ud black (if you're lucky),spx premier, pros prospects are all good choices

I'd stay away from any ovation and the hardcourt authentics esp raw lots of backdoor/fake autos on those

[LDFerg]

I'm looking for this card raw. There appear to be two variations of this card with the white border.

[clownboy]

agree with the post above regarding Hardcourt and Ovation autos. If you want Ovation, make sure the kobe background is grey and not pinkish or purplish (sure signs of fake).

I have authentic copies of both and am shocked that these fakes are being circulated.

Man I miss Kobe so much.

[jzx1103]

Originally Posted by clownboy

agree with the post above regarding Hardcourt and Ovation autos. If you want Ovation, make sure the kobe background is grey and not pinkish or purplish (sure signs of fake).

I have authentic copies of both and am shocked that these fakes are being circulated.

Man I miss Kobe so much.

Holy cow are all those Kobe Autos in binders???

[clownboy]

Originally Posted by jzx1103

Holy cow are all those Kobe Autos in binders???

Haha nope just these few. I do keep most of my autos in binders though until i find a more permanent/presentable storage solution

[JimCa]

Originally Posted by aaronking23

I'd stay away from any ovation and the hardcourt authentics esp raw lots of backdoor/fake autos on those

Originally Posted by clownboy

agree with the post above regarding Hardcourt and Ovation autos.

I'm a little disappointed to hear this about Hardcourt autos. I pulled this one back in the day. Actually it was an exchange card redeemed by UD, so I know it's legit. In fact, I don't know if it's still there, but at the time, UD had an exchange card population page on their web site, and I recall on this one it said there were only about 75 produced.

So it's a little disconcerting to hear that Hardcourt Autos have a dubious reputation. I realize it's no 10, but would grading be advised to at least establish authenticity for a future buyer??

[jzx1103]

Originally Posted by JimCa

I'm a little disappointed to hear this about Hardcourt autos. I pulled this one back in the day. Actually it was an exchange card redeemed by UD, so I know it's legit. In fact, I don't know if it's still there, but at the time, UD had an exchange card population page on their web site, and I recall on this one it said there were only about 75 produced.

So it's a little disconcerting to hear that Hardcourt Autos have a dubious reputation. I realize it's no 10, but would grading be advised to at least establish authenticity for a future buyer??

I don't think this is the Hardcourt auto they're talking about.

[clownboy]

Originally Posted by JimCa

I'm a little disappointed to hear this about Hardcourt autos. I pulled this one back in the day. Actually it was an exchange card redeemed by UD, so I know it's legit. In fact, I don't know if it's still there, but at the time, UD had an exchange card population page on their web site, and I recall on this one it said there were only about 75 produced.

So it's a little disconcerting to hear that Hardcourt Autos have a dubious reputation. I realize it's no 10, but would grading be advised to at least establish authenticity for a future buyer??

The one you posted is legit. We were referring to the one in my photo (to the left of dual w nash). It has been commonly faked. There is an excellent thread about this somewhere here.

Nice kobe auto you have there!

[shivmo]

Kobe Topps paper rookie is rising again. It's at around $750 for the PSA 9, why the sudden jump again and where do you think it tops at?

[jzx1103]

Originally Posted by shivmo

Kobe Topps paper rookie is rising again. It's at around $750 for the PSA 9, why the sudden jump again and where do you think it tops at?

Probably cause people are stocking up for HOF induction in May, and the upcoming documentary whenever that'll be.

[JimCa]

Originally Posted by clownboy

The one you posted is legit. We were referring to the one in my photo (to the left of dual w nash). It has been commonly faked. There is an excellent thread about this somewhere here.

Nice kobe auto you have there!

Thanks and thanks for clarifying. It's my only Kobe auto, but here are some of my RC's. All but the Youthquakes I pulled myself. All have been secured safely in top-loaders since they were pulled. Except the last Topps at the bottom on the right. A few weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to find it while going through some previously opened packs I had bagged and stashed in the card closet. It might grade the best of the four.

[rainmaker]

A couple new ones probably the last Kobe auto I buy they’re just getting too cost prohibitive

https://flic.kr/p/2kmy5XM

https://flic.kr/p/2knD1vE

[Kphillbilly]

Originally Posted by JimCa

Thanks and thanks for clarifying. It's my only Kobe auto, but here are some of my RC's. All but the Youthquakes I pulled myself. All have been secured safely in top-loaders since they were pulled. Except the last Topps at the bottom on the right. A few weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to find it while going through some previously opened packs I had bagged and stashed in the card closet. It might grade the best of the four.

Looks like the set I had since childhood almost to the T
And then I moved to Long Beach and my car got broken in to. Nostalgiac for sure

[JimCa]

Originally Posted by Kphillbilly

Looks like the set I had since childhood almost to the T
And then I moved to Long Beach and my car got broken in to. Nostalgiac for sure

Bummer... But I promise I was never in Long Beach. At least never off the 405......


Glad I could provide a brief stroll down Memory Lane.....

[KhalDrogo]

Kobe and Bron.

[Kphillbilly]

Originally Posted by JimCa

Bummer... But I promise I was never in Long Beach. At least never off the 405......


Glad I could provide a brief stroll down Memory Lane.....

Hahaha Roger that

[radarfubar]

Been picking up Kobe raw rookies for grading

Skybox Premium, Fleer, and Fleer Ultra seem undervalued--good action shots, a bit harder to Gem/Pop with their dark backgrounds/edges

Any other low-cost Kobe rookies you see with big upside for grading?

Thnx X 2 and Happy 2021/blessings to all.

[PabloSanchez]

Legit check?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1998-1999-To...IAAOSwYMxfXhjj

[spacewrangler]

Originally Posted by PabloSanchez

Legit check?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1998-1999-To...IAAOSwYMxfXhjj

Ooo been waiting for a good time to post. Just got this back last month.

This is my grail Kobe auto, really tough grade. 1 of 2 PSA/DNA 9's, the other is a 8.5/9. No 10's in the DNA pop.

[yimfinity]

Originally Posted by PabloSanchez

Legit check?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1998-1999-To...IAAOSwYMxfXhjj

looks legit but has some edge/corner wear. can't really tell from the photos but i don't think it would get a 9+ if that matters to you

[yimfinity]

Originally Posted by yimfinity

looks legit but has some edge/corner wear. can't really tell from the photos but i don't think it would get a 9+ if that matters to you

Another one was just posted on ebay as well.

[rainmaker]

that is some serious fade gone from blue/dark blue/black /gray on the auto in question. It will fade to nothing over the coming years. While real an auto that bad has no particular value.

[PabloSanchez]

Originally Posted by spacewrangler

Ooo been waiting for a good time to post. Just got this back last month.

This is my grail Kobe auto, really tough grade. 1 of 2 PSA/DNA 9's, the other is a 8.5/9. No 10's in the DNA pop.

Love it! That's my grail Kobe auto too. Congrats!

[PabloSanchez]

Originally Posted by yimfinity

looks legit but has some edge/corner wear. can't really tell from the photos but i don't think it would get a 9+ if that matters to you

Originally Posted by rainmaker

that is some serious fade gone from blue/dark blue/black /gray on the auto in question. It will fade to nothing over the coming years. While real an auto that bad has no particular value.

Good to know! Doesn't matter a whole lot, as I don't think I would ever grade it - just authenticate for the slab. Thanks guys!

[spacewrangler]

Originally Posted by PabloSanchez

Love it! That's my grail Kobe auto too. Congrats!

Thank you, much appreciated! I pulled it back in the spring and made it my first grade. Such a gorgeous card/photo, Topps' photography is badly missed in NBA products.