Kevin Garnett topps rookie card boom

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by mc1

You dont know what I know. I know youre a hardcore PSA defender, so theres that.

I’m also a hardcore k13 admirer and I expect you to respect his shtick

[rj.cataldo]

Originally Posted by Luni

I think I'll throw myself in the 'Finest is ugly' camp as well. I personally don't find the card very good looking, it will green over time and it isn't rare (1 per box). The greening in particular is what stopped me from getting more than like 6 of them otherwise I would have hoarded them pretty hard I think.

I think the Topps base card is nice, but certainly is quite plentiful. I busted a box of Topps 95 Series 2 a couple years ago and I believe I got 4 KG rcs from the box. I currently have about 12 raw ones that I need to send it, but I'd imagine only 1-2 might gem.

Overall, the rarest true rookie cards in Gem Mint condition for KG are the Topps Gallery and the SP Championship. However, since both of those sets didn't really have staying power, I personally think that KG's best rookies are his Topps, Upper Deck and Hoops. I do like the look of his Ultra and Skybox as well though.

As far as rarer KG rookie year cards, I think these are all very sweet cards (in no particular order):

Collector's Choice - Base RC Player's Club Platinum (1:35 - Series 2)
E-XL - Natural Born Thrillers (1:48)
Hoops - Grant's All-Rookie Team (1:64 - Series 2)
SP Championship - Champions of the Court Die-Cut (1:75)
SP Championship - Championship Shots Gold (1:62)
Topps - NBA Draft Redemption
Upper Deck - Base RC Electric Court Gold (1:35 Series 2 Retail)
Upper Deck - Special Edition Gold (1:35 Series 2 Hobby)

Some eye candy:

Agree with this all right here. Love what you posted and his Choice players club platinum and electric court gold / UD cards are the rarest Garnett rookie parallels


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[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by Twoinar

I disagree. I know I'm not the only one sitting on unopened boxes. I'm betting some are sitting on cases.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPzpLJF57j/

Open them up, let me know how many gems you pull

[Dame]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

Your tastes and mine are pretty similar. I'd add Fleer & SP to the mix. I like the Hoops design because of its background which harmonizes with a decent (if not great photo). SkyBox and Ultra are okay, but I don't like the gigantic "ROOKIE" mucking up the design.

To me the two standouts are the Topps & Upper Deck here. The Upper Deck has a lovely full bleed design and captures KG in an off-balanced in-game intensity. Completely get if anyone likes that one best.



But the Topps card really captures the true essence of KG's greatness as a player in a way that you rarely see in a RC. It's easy to capture a moment of a rookie with great athleticism, harder to capture the mind of someone who would prove to be a particular strain of basketball genius.

(Incidentally, the SP card has KG on defense too and is good, but there's an intensity to the Topps card that the SP just can't match.)

Love those two. Such amazing photography on the first one.

[Twoinar]

Originally Posted by packerfan4200

Open them up, let me know how many gems you pull

Ok, I plan on talking to you in six months to a year.
Untitled by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/192071937@N03/]

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by stalemonkey30

SP Authentic base is miles better than the Topps in my opinion

So I figured I'd put the two cards side by side for anyone who wants to compare. I think these are two outstanding cards depicting what we now see as vintage Garnett right from the jump.

The question then of which is better is not just subjective, but particularly subjective based minor differences. I'm going to lay out how I see it, because frankly I want to discuss stuff like this. I'd encourage others to do the same, particularly if they see things in a specifically different way they can help others understand.

In other words, not looking for people to just vote on which they prefer, looking for why. And there are always reasons why.

Some things I can see preferring about the SP card:

1. Facing (mostly) forward. You can see KG's whole face.
2. You can see more of the action, including part of the man KG is guarding.
3. Specific aspects of card design. Maybe you like 3/4 bleed or the verticality of the stripe, or maybe something about how the card feels in your hand, etc.

What do I see in the Topps?

You can really understand the 3-dimensional form of KG's body here. The Upper Deck card has some of this too but he has his arms all scrunched in on that card so you don't get a sense for what a spider he is. The SP card by comparison looks entirely 2 dimensional. If this was the only time you ever saw a picture of KG, you'd have no idea for how spindly he was, nor the way he leaned forward aggressively even when not in attack.

I'll also point out how much space they let KG take up on the Topps card. They zoom in so that he takes up space all the way to the edge on all for sides. Zooming in too much can be a problem, but when done really expertly, it allows you see the player like never before.

One of the reason I like images as a separate medium from video is that that they really do give you the ability to see something you can't do live. When you watch a thing live, you're focusing on the delta. That which is changing from one moment to the next, and how's that going to lead to a bucket.

By freezing a moment in time we get to see preparation, intention, details of physicality, attitude, etc, because these are things that will naturally be evoked when we pay attention to what another human being is doing. It gives you time to really put yourself in the player's shoes, and think about what he's trying to do there.

George RR Martin has a quote in his epic that the reader lives a thousand lives.

It is also said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Every card tells a story, and if it tells a good one, it's beautiful.

[Twoinar]

Originally Posted by mc1

Sure. Plus anything left in boxes and packs has a good chance of being bricked. I opened some 96-97 and 97-98 topps last year and the sticking was bad.

That's scary, I've got several boxes of each. Is there anything that can help when they do get opened? Any tips would be appreciated.

[duron]

I opened a box of 95-96 Topps last year knowing there was a 70% chance it would all be bricked - was just trying to get lucky with an mj mystery finest refractor.

It was bricked but most of the base was fine.

Hadn’t opened a 90s box in a while, needed a fix.

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by Twoinar

Ok, I plan on talking to you in six months to a year.
Untitled by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/192071937@N03/]

Haha psa is so ridiculous right now. Probably will be a year. I’ll have plenty of Topps results to share as well

[Totalpackage]

It's nice to see Topps are near the same Level as the Finest since I have many of them in raw condition which I bought for a few dollars back in the day. However, the current boom for Topps and many other PSA cards weren't because the cards themselves instead it was more likely a marketing action from PSA which they setting up a new pricing standard for PSA cards and attract more and more submissions includes new and crossover orders. The reason they choose Topps was because the Topps had huge print run and good brand power. This is not only for Garnett's but also happened to almost every superstars.

I have been collecting KG for 20 years, and I would always put the 95 Finest as his best rookie cards, and these cards have been deemed KG's true high end rookie cards by almost every KG collector. For Topps, I think they should be the best mid end rookie cards.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by Totalpackage

It's nice to see Topps are near the same Level as the Finest since I have many of them in raw condition which I bought for a few dollars back in the day. However, the current boom for Topps and many other PSA cards weren't because the cards themselves instead it was more likely a marketing action from PSA which they setting up a new pricing standard for PSA cards and attract more and more submissions includes new and crossover orders. The reason they choose Topps was because the Topps had huge print run and good brand power. This is not only for Garnett's but also happened to almost every superstars.

I have been collecting KG for 20 years, and I would always put the 95 Finest as his best rookie cards, and these cards have been deemed KG's true high end rookie cards by almost every KG collector. For Topps, I think they should be the best mid end rookie cards.

Interesting. What do you mean PSA “chose” Topps? What avenues of marketing action do they have to specifically tell people what brands they want to grade a lot of?


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[i4gotmyid]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

Interesting. What do you mean PSA “chose” Topps? What avenues of marketing action do they have to specifically tell people what brands they want to grade a lot of?


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I dont really know what totalpackage means, I dont think PSA can choose anything...but if we put our tinfoil hats on...what if PSA was behind the pumping of base topps (making ghost accounts, discord servers, partnering with "card investors")...from what we see about the population of base topps kobe from August till today has increased by 6000 cards, which was at least regular submission or higher (because they have all been returned and bulk from that timeframe hasnt), and at $25/card, that is $150k on just one card. I'm sure Shaq would show similar results, but we never really tracked that as far I know. As of today there are 636 Garnetts graded by PSA...so lets keep an eye on that pseudo rarity and circle back in 6 months...unless the "market crashes"

[rustywest]

Not this Topps nonsense again. Are we really going to do this with 95/96?

I have all of KG's rookies and this one isn't even close to the best looking, my favorite or rarest.

Of his pure rookies, my favorites in no particular order are Upper Deck, Finest, Flair & SP Championship.

And I'll drop this in here, over the past 2+ years since I started searching ebay for 95/96 sealed boxes, SP Championship is by far the box the pops up the LEAST frequently. I've seen it maybe 3 times and I took home one of them...

[Totalpackage]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

Interesting. What do you mean PSA “chose” Topps? What avenues of marketing action do they have to specifically tell people what brands they want to grade a lot of?


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Since PSA was a public listed company, its annual financial report was the most important factor of the firm; However, we all know how fast was its stock raised before the purchase from Nat Turner.

In fact, the price gap between PSA and BGS has becoming bigger than ever; this is a clearly sign which PSA is working on a progress to take out the Beckett from the business or trying to purchase the latter company. I have nothing against PSA since I have more PSA 10s than BGS 9.5s;

PSA chose many other cards with strong basis other than Topps as well. As I said in my previous message, Topps has large print run and good brand power; in addition, they were also extremely cheap back in the day. These three factors perfectly fit the marketing action for PSA in order to raise the 95 Topps among the top ones of KG rookie cards. I am not saying PSA or the big boys in the hobby is manipulating the market and playing tricks on collectors; instead, this is a simple marketing competition between the two companies.

[Totalpackage]

Originally Posted by i4gotmyid

I dont really know what totalpackage means, I dont think PSA can choose anything...but if we put our tinfoil hats on...what if PSA was behind the pumping of base topps (making ghost accounts, discord servers, partnering with "card investors")...from what we see about the population of base topps kobe from August till today has increased by 6000 cards, which was at least regular submission or higher (because they have all been returned and bulk from that timeframe hasnt), and at $25/card, that is $150k on just one card. I'm sure Shaq would show similar results, but we never really tracked that as far I know. As of today there are 636 Garnetts graded by PSA...so lets keep an eye on that pseudo rarity and circle back in 6 months...unless the "market crashes"

For myself, I have about 20+ Topps base in my collection which I got them from a KG rookie lot back in the day, and I submitting them to PSA as soon as possible since the PSA 10s are in 2k range. This is what a grading company wants. Will I ever submit anything to Beckett again, the answer is negative because the price gap is so big.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by i4gotmyid

As of today there are 636 Garnetts graded by PSA...so lets keep an eye on that pseudo rarity and circle back in 6 months...unless the "market crashes"

I have a few dozen raw Garnetts, no Topps. The couple Topps base I had were sold in the past year. Wouldnt be surprised if the pop triples by the time the season ends. Im sure theres lots of 20-25 Topps rookies being prepped right now ready to be shipped on Tuesday.

[mrb842]

Originally Posted by ljandkg

I know things are taking off AGAIN in the hobby, and it's crazy to watch, but it's worth mentioning individually the rise of KG's topps rc card and why it's taken off.
I don't have time to see who is influencing what in the trading card scene. I'm wise enough to know that people with a bit of influence/tonne of followers online can change prices dramatically.

This week KG's Topps rc PSA10 officially had a sale for $2500. There's been numerous sales in the preceeding week for $2000 plus. Two years ago this same card PSA 10 sold for $15-20.

A year ago when Covid hit and the first boom in the hobby hit, it went up into the $400-500 bracket.

I showed a work colleague some of this the other day and I couldn't explain why it's happened other than I'd heard someone like Gary V had said another boom was coming. Also being overseas and far removed from what's happening with investing etc in the US I wasn't able to explain why it'd happened very well.
Is it as simple as investors with cash are buying up cards instead of investing elsewhere because of the quick returns?
Can anyone spell it out for me a bit better?
Firstly for the whole hobby spike again, and specifically for this topps rc card for KG ahead of any of his other 14 rookie cards?


Disclaimer - I have my one topps rc card at PSA and boy do I hope it comes back a ten before this all deflates!

he has a book out which is interesting because he was very introverted as a player, which is creating a wave of interest but to be honest even though I'm a celtics fan I never really considered him to be one of the unique and special players of all time.

[Totalpackage]

Originally Posted by mrb842

he has a book out which is interesting because he was very introverted as a player, which is creating a wave of interest but to be honest even though I'm a celtics fan I never really considered him to be one of the unique and special players of all time.

Kevin Garnett received his hardcore fans from his Timberwolves era, so it's understandable you are not a fan of him.

[monkeymcgee]

Originally Posted by mrb842

he has a book out which is interesting because he was very introverted as a player, which is creating a wave of interest but to be honest even though I'm a celtics fan I never really considered him to be one of the unique and special players of all time.

Were you a Celtics fan when he was playing? I get not liking the guy's personality or something, but he was a special player.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by mrb842

he has a book out which is interesting because he was very introverted as a player, which is creating a wave of interest but to be honest even though I'm a celtics fan I never really considered him to be one of the unique and special players of all time.

Wow..there's a take..smh

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by Totalpackage

Since PSA was a public listed company, its annual financial report was the most important factor of the firm; However, we all know how fast was its stock raised before the purchase from Nat Turner.

In fact, the price gap between PSA and BGS has becoming bigger than ever; this is a clearly sign which PSA is working on a progress to take out the Beckett from the business or trying to purchase the latter company. I have nothing against PSA since I have more PSA 10s than BGS 9.5s;

PSA chose many other cards with strong basis other than Topps as well. As I said in my previous message, Topps has large print run and good brand power; in addition, they were also extremely cheap back in the day. These three factors perfectly fit the marketing action for PSA in order to raise the 95 Topps among the top ones of KG rookie cards. I am not saying PSA or the big boys in the hobby is manipulating the market and playing tricks on collectors; instead, this is a simple marketing competition between the two companies.

Ah. You're giving me motivation, but I'm actually asking about means. How specifically are they doing this? And to add on: Why couldn't BGS do it now or in the past when they were more dominant?

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by rustywest

Not this Topps nonsense again. Are we really going to do this with 95/96?

I have all of KG's rookies and this one isn't even close to the best looking...

Do you realize how condescending you're coming off here?

Honestly, if you had stuck simply to talking about stuff like rarity and investment potential I'd have assumed it wasn't directed toward me, but you led with "isn't even close to the best looking", and no one in this thread is talking about this as much as me. And I've already acknowledged that aesthetics are a subjective thing and tried to encourage people to come out and share why they love a particular card particularly if they see things different from me.

So if you feel passionate about the designs of other cards, please speak to that. Explain why what you see/feel resonates with you.

[mrb842]

Originally Posted by monkeymcgee

Were you a Celtics fan when he was playing? I get not liking the guy's personality or something, but he was a special player.

I don't regard him as an iconic celtic. He was a mercenary who had a 3-4 year run of amazing excellence. His teams in minnesota did nothing and he was from that post jordan pre lebron era that a lot of nba fans like me just tuned out because the spurs were boring and the east was terrible.

[i4gotmyid]

Originally Posted by mrb842

I don't regard him as an iconic celtic. He was a mercenary who had a 3-4 year run of amazing excellence. His teams in minnesota did nothing and he was from that post jordan pre lebron era that a lot of nba fans like me just tuned out because the spurs were boring and the east was terrible.

You must have definitely tuned out, because Garnett had to be convinced to leave Minnesota, he was the furthest thing from a mercenary.

As far as 3-4 year run...9x all NBA, 12x All-D, sprinkle in a MVP, Championship and DPOY, but only a 3-4 year run? Come on...

So then you are probably going to say "team success", but have you looked at the top 25 players in Timberwolves history? Most played during his era...names like Wally-world? Guggs? Sam the alien Cassell? Starbury? Old man Spree? Those were his 2nd best players during his tenure...not exactly a championship supporting cast...

[Luni]

Originally Posted by mrb842

I don't regard him as an iconic celtic. He was a mercenary who had a 3-4 year run of amazing excellence. His teams in minnesota did nothing and he was from that post jordan pre lebron era that a lot of nba fans like me just tuned out because the spurs were boring and the east was terrible.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Sure he isn't as iconic as a Celtic as players like Bird, Russell, etc... but he did go to the Celtics (worst team in the league in 07) and win a championship in 08 which is pretty special. Also, obviously I'm a bit biased being a KG fan but anyone who actually watched him in Minnesota knows he was a top 1-5 player in the entire league for quite a stretch. Yes they underperformed, but that's what happens when your best teammates were Wally and Terrell Brandon for the longest time.

Anyway, all I'm trying to get across is that KG has some lifetime fans from the Minnesota days and I'm one of them. I know he isn't at the level of MJ, LeBron, Kobe, etc.. but he was my favorite and hardest working player I got to watch growing up. Also, the following stat isn't half bad:

Kevin Garnett is the only NBA player to reach at least 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 steals and 1,500 blocks.