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I've put thousands 
into basketball cards over the last 18 months...
IT'S COMPLICATED
Here's a breakdown of the basics of basketball cards to help you understand the market and what to look for.
Time for a mf thread!
into basketball cards over the last 18 months...IT'S COMPLICATED
Here's a breakdown of the basics of basketball cards to help you understand the market and what to look for.
Time for a mf thread!
When I started buying basketball cards, I was clueless. I didn't know:
Which cards are worthwhile, which aren't
Difference between bases and parallels
How to find a cards current value
Wtf PSA, BGS, SGC, or GMA are
Where to buy cards
Let's deep dive into the cards themselves...
Which cards are worthwhile, which aren't
Difference between bases and parallels
How to find a cards current value
Wtf PSA, BGS, SGC, or GMA are
Where to buy cards
Let's deep dive into the cards themselves...
All modern basketball cards are made by Panini. They hold the NBA license. Back in the day there was Topps, Upper Deck, Fleer, etc.
Panini makes new brands like Prizm, as well as classics you probably remember like NBA Hoops and Donruss.
TBT:
Panini makes new brands like Prizm, as well as classics you probably remember like NBA Hoops and Donruss.
TBT:
Each release has a base set of cards and inserts. The base set has parallels with the same layout, but different colors/patterns on the card. The parallels are shorter run: less cards. Some are numbered, literally with the # embossed on it, including down to Black 1 of 1’s.
Base and parallel examples:
Ja Morant Prizm Base
Ja Morant Prizm Green Parallel
Ja Morant Optic Base
Ja Morant Optic Velocity
Ja Morant Prizm Base
Ja Morant Prizm Green Parallel
Ja Morant Optic Base
Ja Morant Optic Velocity
Here's an outline and abbreviated example of the structure of a Prizm release:
Card nerds - yes I know this isn't absolutely everything. This thread isn't for you.
Card nerds - yes I know this isn't absolutely everything. This thread isn't for you.
It's easy to get lost in the sauce with all the cards on the market.
My advice is to pick a brand or two, learn about it, and move fwd.
I stick to Prizm personally.
Now that you understand how sets are structured, what cards?
My advice is to pick a brand or two, learn about it, and move fwd.
I stick to Prizm personally.
Now that you understand how sets are structured, what cards?
You want rookies.
There are plenty of exceptions to this, especially with how hot the market is, but rookies are the core.
A player only has 1 rookie year. That makes rookie cards scarce.
Demand + Limited Supply =
Pictured: Tatum 2017-18 (Rookie), 2018-19, 2019-20
There are plenty of exceptions to this, especially with how hot the market is, but rookies are the core.
A player only has 1 rookie year. That makes rookie cards scarce.
Demand + Limited Supply =
Pictured: Tatum 2017-18 (Rookie), 2018-19, 2019-20
Second years are gaining popularity, as well as for example KD's first Nets card, Lebron's first Lakers card, etc. Short print cards, parallels, autos, and memorabilia cards that aren't rookies are gaining traction too - especially superstars.
But again - I'd start w/ rookies.
But again - I'd start w/ rookies.
GRADING!
There are several grading services: PSA, BGS, SGC, GMA. These services grade your card on a scale of 1-10 and put it in a slab to protect it. To simplify, only look for PSA graded cards if you're buying graded. It's the gold standard.
There are several grading services: PSA, BGS, SGC, GMA. These services grade your card on a scale of 1-10 and put it in a slab to protect it. To simplify, only look for PSA graded cards if you're buying graded. It's the gold standard.
A PSA 10 will cost 3-5x more than a PSA 9 or raw card in many cases. The older, the moreso this is true. These parities vary greatly.
Luka Doncic Prizm Base as of 1/15/21:
Raw: $482
PSA 8: $463
PSA 9: $575
PSA 10: $1,712
The 10 is a perfect example of that card.
Luka Doncic Prizm Base as of 1/15/21:
Raw: $482
PSA 8: $463
PSA 9: $575
PSA 10: $1,712
The 10 is a perfect example of that card.
So, of all these cards... and all these players... what to buy?
That's a rabbit hole for another day.
If you found this valuable, a retweet on the top tweet is greatly appreciated.
Follow me for more tweets about basketball cards and businesses. I try to keep it interesting.
That's a rabbit hole for another day.
If you found this valuable, a retweet on the top tweet is greatly appreciated.
Follow me for more tweets about basketball cards and businesses. I try to keep it interesting.
