Great Rookie Cards (Part 1)

I have always said that sports card whether it baseball,basketball or football cards are like cardboard time machines. You can always just pick one up and its like you are there in that exact time period on the card. Rookie cards are a huge deal in the hobby especially if they are older rookie cards. For the older generation the very sight of guys they grew up watching can stir up memories from long ago. For the younger generation of sports fans rookie cards can be a history lesson. So with that said I bring you the 1st of 4 installments of “40 Great Rookie Cards”.

#40 1986 Topps Brian Bozworth RC

Brian Bozworth never lived up to the hype in the NFL but he was a 2 time all-american at Oklahoma. Bozworth was drafted #1 overall by the Seattle Seahawks and was signed to the biggest rookie contract ever at 10 years/11 million$. This card represents disappointment and unfulfilled hype.

#39 1991 Upperdeck Dikembe Mutombo

Recognized for his trademark finger wag after blocked shots Dikembe Mutombo is the 2^nd best shot blocker in NBA history behind only Hakeem Olajuwon. He is also responsible for one of the biggest upsets in NBA history as the #8 seeded Denver Nuggets upset the #1 seeded Seattle Supersonics. He recorded 31 blocks in that series which is a record for 5 game series.

#38 1990 Fleer Shawn Kemp

When you talk about the NBA in the 90’s you got to talk about those Sonics teams with Gary Payton&Shawn Kemp. They never captured an NBA title but they are arguably the greatest team to never win the title and had it been any other team than the 96 Chicago Bulls they would probably have a ring. Shawn Kemp though was a very fun player to watch and a productive one at that making 6 all-star teams.

#37 1991 Fleer Larry Johnson

“Grandmama” was one of the most productive forwards in the NBA during the early 1990’s. The 2-time all-star captured the rookie of the year award in 1991-1992 averaging 19 Points and 11 Rebounds. Many wonder how much greater his career would have been had he not had knee problems. When healthy though LJ and Alonzo Mourning were one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.

#36  2003 Topps Dwyane Wade

Its been a great decade and some change for Dwyane Wade he is a 3 shooting guards. It was in his rookie season when he hit the game winning shot over Baron Davis to win game 1 of the eastern conference quarter finals over Hornets that we know he would be special.

 

#35  2003 Topps Carmleo Anthony

Fresh out of Oak Hill Academy Carmelo Anthony was heading to the Nuggets with the burden of now being the franchise player. He didn’t disappoint leading the Nuggets in scoring at 21 points per game and back to the playoffs for the first time in 2 seasons.

#34 1990 Upperdeck Sammy Sosa

Pre Chicago Cub days Sammy Sosa had a stint with the Whitesox. Sosa remains one of the preeminent figures in the steroid era but is still the only player in Major League history 3 seasons of 60+ home runs.

#33 1986 Fleer Dominique Wilkins

Known as one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history and for his battles in the dunk contest with Michael Jordan Dominique Wilkins was an accomplished basketball player. The 9 time all-star remains to this day the best player in Atlanta Hawks franchise history.

#32 1984 Topps John Elway

John Elway to this day is Denver Broncos football whether its speaking about the past or right now. Elway led his team to the super bowl 5 times but didn’t capture his 1^st until 1998 against the Green Bay Packers in his 4^th appearances. The Broncos repeated in 1999 as champions and Elway cemented his place in football history.

#31 2005 SP Authentic Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby since he stepped foot in the NHL has been the face of it and in some ways revived the game and has been responsible for its growth. In 2009 Crosby helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup over the Detroit Redwings.

#30 1990 Fleer Isiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas was the leader and best player on the “Bad Boys” Pistons teams who won back to back titles and gave Michael Jordan problems early in his career. Thomas is recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

Graduation Cards

As I am sitting here typing this it is 1:05 PM and I am less then 5 hours from graduating South Broward High School. Usually with graduation comes gifts, money and a bunch of hoopla from the family. My Mom chose to gave me money and being the avid Sports collector I am decided to take my behind to Hollywood Collectibles and spent part of my new found riches on some cardboard heroes of basketball, so lets begin!

Card #1 Sky Box 1990 Magic Johnson

People talk about how versatile Lebron James is and sometimes my man Magic gets lost in the shuffle. This man was also 6'9 played multiple positions and changed basketball with the offense he ran as point guard of the “ShowTime” Lakers. I found this card Digging through a dime box of assorted cards.

Price: 2$

Card #2: 1997 Topps Tim Duncan (Rookie)

The San Antonio Spurs are in the finals again and if Tim Duncan is to capture another ring it will make 5 and further cement him as one of the greatest the NBA has ever seen. Some people don't really appreciate his greatness the way I do so when finding this card I flipped. The Cards I gt is a rookie card and probably one of the best cards in my miniscule yet evolving basketball collection.

Price: 4$

Card #3: Sky Box 1991 Michael Jordan

Of all the cards I purchased yesterday none are as visually cultivating as this cardboard treasure which features MJ basking in the glory of what was his 1^st of 6 championship rings with the Chicago Bulls. The card speaks for itself.

Price: 2$

Card #4: 2007 Upperdeck Artifacts Jason Kidd Jersey Card

Of all the cards this one is definitely my favorite for many reasons. Its the only card I purchased not in a dime box. It was actually inside one of those shelfs with other nice expensive cards I can't afford. This was a steal though, I had a little more money then usual so I decided to splurge a bit. This card is rare numbered 12/100 so the feeling I have of purchasing something rare is comforting. Also Watching Kidd with the Nets growing up along with guys like Vince Carter,Keyon Martin and Richard Jefferson was some of the most fun I ever had watching basketball.

Price: 10$

So all in a another great day of purchases at Hollywood Collectibles. Now it's time to start practicing throwing my cap up in the air at the conclusion of graduation.

Day at the store

The Other day I was near my Local Card store (Hollywood Collectibles) been going there for years, the owners and employees have known me since the age of 8. After chatting it up and catching up with my main man Paul I headed straight for the nearest Dime box with to look for some Cards I usually get lucky at Hollywood Collectibles in terms of finding cards I just like and today was no different.

Card #1 I came across might be my favorite out of them all. Going through box I found this sweet Upperdeck SP Game Bat edition 2000 with the Legendary Tony Gywnn featured on the front. Gwynn was always a guy who in my opinion never got a lot of love when truthfully he probably had one of the most textbook swings in Major league history so pretty solid pick up there.

Card #2 I picked up featured one of my favorite Hall of Famers of All-Time in Baseball history. I'm Speaking about Eddie Murray of Course who I own a a throwback jersey of which I picked up at Camden Yards a few years ago. This a 1981 Topps cardboard which features the LA native in his prime with the Baltimore Orioles. This was one of the better finds of the Day.

Card #3 After digging and digging aimlessly through the barrage of cardboard I finally found this 2010 Topps Babe Ruth which was cool to me. Always been fan of the Babe on Card Board so anytime I Can scoop a Babe Ruth card I usually do it.

Card #4 I found because of my unconscious love for the game of basketball. After finding many old Shaquille O'Neal Orlando Magic Cards I Finally ran into this beautiful Fleer 1988 Patrick Ewing which capture Pat in his prime in the Blue and Orange. Of all of the 90's greats I feel sorry for not getting a Ring they're are few I feel more sorry for then Patrick Ewing He deserves one more do then most players.

So that recaps that days pickups at Hollywood Collectibles in a nutshell.