spinotron E-X 2001 essential credentials chase and stories

[spinotron]

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I made my last PC showcase thread here. Recently, there seems to some desire to have more PC showcase threads in the sea of investment flavored ones. So here is my contribution in that direction. It's a long time in the making. So you will get a full load unapologetically.

I think I can put a starting date on it, April 12, 2011.

On this date, I acquired my second Kobe 1997-98 E-X2001 essential credentials now /8 and also in unfaded lime green acetate, and gem mint condition. At that time I had been in hobby for almost 2 years, and I had read several forums almost entirely, absorbing like a sponge.

Top two 90s cards for each player are PMG green and credentials, as I learned.

PMG green was less hyped then (PMG red was certainly nowhere near its status now) but always highly coveted among top of player collectors' dream card list, as beautiful refracting textured surface, one of rarest in first year of systematic introduction of serial numbering across the board. It was born from a massively produced low end product back then (many cards per pack and pack price was low) but very scarcely inserted; today PMG green has gained its status partly due to hyping and natural evolution and partly due to passionate collectors chasing.

The other in the top 2 spot is Credentials produced from E-X2001 and the product was considered a highend product with relatively expensive pack price and only 2 cards per pack and very hard to hit a credentials (without odds obviously) and the production was much less. While Jambalaya is a hit per 5 cases (6 boxes per case), credentials does not seem to come any more frequently.

Those two cards (PMG green and rarer version of 1997-98 credentials) are often missing from player collectors in ascension and proudly equipped by seasoned player collectors who braved the scene for a longer reign, for the most part.

Having two Kobes somehow made me want to attempt the impossible goal of working towards the essential credentials set. I made a post in another forum announcing my desire and tried to start it off, but was immediately warned as impossible to the highest degree, and regarded as borderline delusional but in more polite words.

After these many years have passed, I think it's time to sit back and make a progress report.

Without further Ado, Let me start off the showcase gradually and recall some details and various stories. This following card in jersey number was acquired in March 2017 updating a much earlier acquired copy. Credentials has a unique creative numbering. In 1997-98, there are 80 players, and in the credentials now set, location of a given player in the set determines its print run as exactly that. As the name suggests, earlier players in the credentials now set are super stars or non-RC players with highest promise. To make suspense going, I will showcase in countdown style, starting with the last and 80th player in the set, Ron Mercer RC. The parallel set, credentials future, has print run flipped over, a player located at X-th spot will have 81-X print run, as RC players will start off that set and guys with highest promises are placed forefront. Mercer future would be 1 of 1, the most promising among the crop at the time of production. Out of Kentucky, his game was super smooth, and his pecking order was higher than Pierce before getting traded and he fell off the map after another trade.

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As it is a bit hard to keep both suspense and organization. If I show off both sets down from /80 then it might look a bit confusing and not neatly organized. So I will make pairings, my usual theme, and show off the hands early on. LOL. This card was famous and back then pulled during released year by Eric Bird, and documented by Beckett. Please see the third photo below. I would like to be a fly in that shop when it was pulled. I couldn’t find the shop online and looked up the yellow page, tempted to write a letter to a few likely addresses, but surprised to see it show up and acquired it in Sep 2014. From shop owner’s wife’s account. The seller is from the same city and same surname as in the article. They acquired from Eric and kept since until then. It was the pinnacle of my collecting career then and kept my engine burning to foolishly keep chasing the impossible ghost.

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If I may, I have reserve four more posts below to collect things together, but I will update the thread in the latest posts as well. If you have instagram, you can see a version of writing there as well.

[spinotron]

reserved 1.

TL/DR version:

Mercer didn’t leave Bird’s nest.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50208122872_c43d12e2f2_z.jpg

Landing MacMan is as circuitous and fortuitous as <Three Nations>.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50211993871_6df9a76d3b_z.jpg

Tony B from Gary G:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50224615626_54e722f28e_z.jpg

Landing Tim is slim but ended like Fairy tale Grimm:
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David saved the day in my battle against Goliath:
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A summary of showcase so far:
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Who is the next up?

[spinotron]

reserved 2

[spinotron]

reserved 3

[spinotron]

reserved 4

[bjho852]

Nice!

[Jopeal]

Awesome post!
The Mercer Future 1/1! Would love to see you track it down.
Is there any history on the iconic Grant Hill Now 1/1?

I can’t wait to hear more about this legendary set.

[abidtsteele]

Love hearing stories like this and seeing the hard work and perseverance pay off, looking forward to future posts! I saw your hobbykings screencap the other day lol

[fnd]

Oh my this post is gonna be legendary! Just like your collection!

[bjho852]

Is there any history on the iconic Grant Hill Now 1/1?

Someone from Europe posted it a while ago. I forgot which thread it is though.
Or spinotron might have already acquired it silently as well.

[Jopeal]

Someone from Europe posted it a while ago. I forgot which thread it is though.
Or spinotron might have already acquired it silently as well.

Wait, does spinotron have the Mercer 1/1? Incredible

[Tarheelsfan2012]

Someone from Europe posted it a while ago. I forgot which thread it is though.
Or spinotron might have already acquired it silently as well.

There was a thread on here where someone posted it but I can't find the thread.

Edit: Found it. https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1258012&highlight=Hill&page=8

[Tarheelsfan2012]

Ok I'm ready for this thread
https://media.giphy.com/media/l0IsIZw8doJm3ysRq/giphy.gif

[mindcycle]

Nice Mercer! Looking forward to this. :)!

[ninjacookies]

Any tentative dates on your public museum opening?

[LovelyLlamas]

The holy grail of all Mercer cards! Love to see it in all its beauty!

[NarnM]

Love it. Also is your site from your iG handle down?

[2010GBPackers]

Yes! We need more PC threads told in narration format. Love it. Sit back and learn Sneakerbois.

[cowboyzqna]

Best of the best!

[BC81]

Your collection is legendary! Thanks for sharing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hawkfandan]

Let's go!! Thanks for posting this Spin.

[NoleinJax]

Great story. I look forward to following along. Do you still have both Kobe's /8?

[thecomebacker]

Popcorn ready to go! Explosive opening so far : )

[duron]

spino truly is the hero we all need right now.

Looking forward to this.

[Rob 23]

reserved 1

reserved 2

reserved 3

reserved 4

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[Pigo]

Oh gawd. Vicarious hobby exploits of the highest order. It's partcularly fun to hear about what it was like to hunt these types of grail cards back when they were first around - how rare they were, early sightings, and even what the actual packs were like that they came in.

[BartvH]

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to future updates!

[jrfillini]

If that first post wasn't enough to convince you to stick around for everything to come . . .

Thanks for sharing!

[natsturner]

Love this!!

[auburn35]

Really nice thread; looking forward to the updates. Thanks for sharing.

[maconithappen]

I got a bunch of older Beckett’s recently and that Mercer credentials pull was in one of them. Awesome that you have that card!

[MJ23Collector]

The king of pairing does it again!! Don't forget to check back regularly or you will regret it!!

[highgradepat]

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[bberns]

Any tentative dates on your public museum opening?

My thoughts exactly

[ljandkg]

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[Italy61587]

Looking forward to the updates!

[SPauthentic84]

thanks for the update spin. always love the write ups

[spinotron]

Reserved for replies. Much appreciate for the supports.

Nice!
Thank you. Glad to make a post on here again.

Awesome post!
The Mercer Future 1/1! Would love to see you track it down.
Is there any history on the iconic Grant Hill Now 1/1?
I can’t wait to hear more about this legendary set.
Wait, does spinotron have the Mercer 1/1? Incredible
I didn’t track it down privately but happy to land it when it showed up. You are right. I scan them in and all in PC.

Love hearing stories like this and seeing the hard work and perseverance pay off, looking forward to future posts! I saw your hobbykings screencap the other day lol
Much appreciated. It’s a long ride. Yeah, that post turned out to help me a lot. Unfortunately only a memory now.

Oh my this post is gonna be legendary! Just like your collection!
Thank you for the love. Will try to recreate what happened for some key acquisitions.

Someone from Europe posted it a while ago. I forgot which thread it is though.Or spinotron might have already acquired it silently as well.
Iconic thread for sure. Glad certain beauties are preserved well and make way into public eyes.

There was a thread on here where someone posted it but I can't find the thread.
Edit: Found it. https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1258012&highlight=Hill&page=8
Haha. Yeah, this forum is full of information and highlight. Mostly still collecting based, until recently. :) Talk to several Hill collectors before and no one knows it’s even pulled until then.

Ok I'm ready for this threadhttps://media.giphy.com/media/l0IsIZw8doJm3ysRq/giphy.gif
Nice gif. Hope to live it up. Lots of things to unwind.

Nice Mercer! Looking forward to this. :)!
Thank you. Glad it was known to be pulled for a longest time, and land a whale early on and keep me engaged more than ever.

Any tentative dates on your public museum opening?
Thank you for the high praise. If I become half as legendary as Burdick, maybe put it in the MET one day. Just kidding.

The holy grail of all Mercer cards! Love to see it in all its beauty!
Thank you. Yeah, it’s special for a player to be highlighted in a set like this, regardless of whether the full potential of the player is realized or not. Not many credentials 1/1 RC is the best choice, except 2003-04 one.

Love it. Also is your site from your iG handle down?
Yes. My username here then .com. Several pages dedicated to different things. Need serious updates as well. My IG is more updated. But not as organized as webpages.

Yes! We need more PC threads told in narration format. Love it. Sit back and learn Sneakerbois.
Thank you. Haha, some of those who holding a ton of silver PSA 10 are sneaker heads turned into traders? Luka prizm base PSA 10 represents 10 M alone if naively going by the current rate. A different world for sure.

Best of the best!
Thank you for the kind words! Learning from some of best forums and people, and inspired by many great collections myself.

Your collection is legendary! Thanks for sharing
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you. Probably a bit too dedicated at times. Glad I still stick around. This chase certainly helps me keep my collecting fire burning.

Let's go!! Thanks for posting this Spin.
Thank you for the support. Will try my best to recreate part of the journey.

Great story. I look forward to following along. Do you still have both Kobe's /8?
Thank you. Yeah, still have them and also they make me do two collecting side projects, which hopefully will be clear once the pattern emerges.

Popcorn ready to go! Explosive opening so far : )
Thank you. The timing could be better and earlier but it’s the best I can manage. Love your GM collection. Look forward to your 1k reveal.

spino truly is the hero we all need right now.
Looking forward to this.
Thank you. Glad several hobby vets like you are around to help certain situations. No hero, but will try to bring collecting flavor back. Investing has chipped away much of the hobby as we know it. For better or for worse.

https://i.gifer.com/Ch6W.gif
Thank you. Epic gif. LOL. That’s one of things IG cannot provide in comments.

Oh gawd. Vicarious hobby exploits of the highest order. It's partcularly fun to hear about what it was like to hunt these types of grail cards back when they were first around - how rare they were, early sightings, and even what the actual packs were like that they came in.
Thank you. This would be a much easier project if I started in 1998, but I started in 2011 and as I will explain later, if I started even half a month earlier, I would have a super head-start. It’s sometimes surprising some of these can be tracked down at all. Print run was an illusion, Mutombo /32 has eluded me for the longest time and no public sale within last 11 years, and only one more copy located in the same city as mine. There are a few break videos in youtube. Breaking a box now will likely to turn 2k into 75 real quick. LOL.

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to future updates!
Thank you. Will stay focussed and unravel this beast.

If that first post wasn't enough to convince you to stick around for everything to come . . .
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. Glad I choose that way instead of going both from /80 and down.

Love this!!
Nat sighting. The awesome feeling is mine.

Really nice thread; looking forward to the updates. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. Feel a bit identity crisis. First latest NFL chase and now go all the way back to 90s. A closet credentials collector no more. Coming out is not always easy. LOL.

I got a bunch of older Beckett’s recently and that Mercer credentials pull was in one of them. Awesome that you have that card!
Thank you. It was the first thing pointed out to me when I started on forum. When I was young, I read Taiwan translated version of Beckett (there did it for 12 months) and it was very influential for me, and I later acquired a set of those mags.

The king of pairing does it again!! Don't forget to check back regularly or you will regret it!!
Is this Stephen? Yeah, lots of pairing will featured for sure. Thank you for the prop.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/UlqLDtI8Qc0j6/giphy.gif
Thank you. One of the most iconic gifts. This day has come.

My thoughts exactly
Thank you. Haha. Maybe I will get a table at National one year, to feature some of my PC. I have some concerns but if some PSA registry guys with PSA 10 Mantle can do it, maybe so can I. LOL.

https://live.staticflickr.com/1844/44651167921_69c7104c4f_c.jpg
Nice. Will turn full intense as KG soon.

Looking forward to the updates!
Thank you. Will try to do as regularly as I can.

thanks for the update spin. always love the write ups
Appreciate it. Love your recent movements on IG and thread about current status of hobby and forum.

[spinotron]

Time for Mac Monday.

One of most touted high schoolers in the draft. TMac is also Kobe's closest friend, so good to have for pairings to a Kobe collector.

I always collect special numbers except in set chases, where I’m just happy to tick boxes. I often would love to have single digit or highest first digit in serial number, like this one below. If you have special numbers of any of these, feel free to reach out in PM and discuss.

I love the cropped out focussed auction shot, the moon like background layers and refracting higher layer and acetate transparent lower layer. If placing a bunch of variety of cards in front of a layperson, I bet most of times, they pick out credentials.

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Now to recall one of my earliest whale landings:

In the legend of <Three Nations>, the leader of a clan with name beginning with letter S (narrative fits both so far LOL), in order to chase the second in command in his lineup (still so far so good), needed to visit the location(s) of the latter but got consecutively turned down, and he chased three times to finally succeed.

Analogy in real life is as follows:

Chase 1: I learnt from a good friend K that Mike had this card, I offered strong for it, but got turned down, my first chase; I planned to talk to him in person at Nationals.

Chase 2: Somehow I scheduled my arrival to be the second day (never again), another hobbyist called Ritchie snatched it up on the first day at the price around my offer, guess cash spoke. (A quick fact, two more bankruptcy cards without numbering and in lesser condition of the pink TMac were also there and bought by a card doctor to have fake stamps added later, both showed up later and exchanged hands a few times as new owners were never happy.) I was not used to the idea of having to pay double at an immediate flip; so I made a stronger offer and was told he would sleep on it, a bad phrase according to my many experiences later. LOL.

Chase 3: I learned that a hobbyist Kaine at a show had TMac 1/2 for sale, I got in touch and it was the laughable fake stamp one, the stamp did not even remotely resemble a shred of truth. But he was actually the buyer from Ritchie and he was somewhat reasonable and I bought it around the strong offer I made prior, partly because the fake card turned him off I guess. Kaine later became one of two guys who battled it out and were responsible for meteoric rise in price of Exquisite.

TMac captured hearts of his fans in 35 seconds and they cannot forget it in a lifetime, so is Three Nations of my real life for me.

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Sorry for the slow pace at the beginning, as I want to recall how the rare ones came about. When we got into later stages, I will show more pics and write less.

[lietuvalabas]

yeah this will be epic

[auburn35]

Another really nice story.
Excited to see the next unveiling. The other /2 (KG) or might we see /3 (AI).

[spinotron]

yeah this will be epic
Thank you. Hopefully also essential. LOL.

Another really nice story.
Excited to see the next unveiling. The other /2 (KG) or might we see /3 (AI).
Thank you. That's quite foresight to look forward. Hopefully we can get there soon.

[spinotron]

Tony Battle was not a flashy player nor a specialist in offense or defense, but a solid role player who was serviceable enough to be in several teams. One of his biggest contributions as a Kobe collector, is that he saved Pierce’s life after a bar stabbing incident of the latter by rushing him to hospital. Pierce one month later reappeared on court and played the full season and well enough to earn a nickname Truth. Pierce winning a ring against Lakers obviously fueled Kobe who won back to back right next. B for Battie or Buttefly effect. LOL.

Now back to the card under discussion. Collecting this set right after release in 1998 would be much easier but I started in 2011. Everything had been dispersed and tucked away, if pulled at all.

Like in many progresses in life, I get to stand on the shoulders of several set collecting giants. There are several of them which I will say thanks and pay respects to, and help me fill some key holes; but I never cheated my way in the chase, didn’t overtake any significantly completed partial set, in some cases because they were not ready to let go much, and in other cases because by the time I get to them, I only needed a few from what they had amassed.

This is very first super rare one I obtained thanks to Gary G, a bit spelt out since there are several Gary’s in the hobby and rhyming with the famous/infamous one. He was working on future set and helped me with 7 future with /20 or less (with Battie being the only under /10). He is also one of few who encouraged me to share my progress to the public. No other Battie /3 has been sighted since. His hobby username has a 3 in it, wonder whether it has anything to do with this /3. This makes first three a nice pairing, 1/1, 2/2 and 3/3.

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[spinotron]

Tim Thomas was the number 2 nationwide high school recruit right behind Kobe, but instead of declaring for NBA (which he almost did), he chose to play one year in college. Some of his highlight: He hit 8 threes in the second half of an NBA game. He also was instrumental and clutch in a few games against Lakers to help overcome 1-3 deficit and ultimately the team reached WCF. He had a long career and bounced around NBA in various trades which certified his values but never panned out the promise Ray Allen put on him, "He could be the best in NBA if he wanted to".

As I mentioned before, many set collectors have helped me along the way, but no one helped me more decisively than David in 2013. I had vast majority in place, and he had a few super rare ones perfectly complementing to a few spots of what I was missing. Without him, I’m probably still hopeless. Some of what he placed in my PC have second chances else where but not this Tim. He pulled all these with his friends back in the day from a ton of boxes, probably one of highest end collectors and hobbyists back in 90s. Cardboard is only a small portion of his collecting portfolio. Blessed to have met him and landed this Thomas and some others to be featured.

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[spinotron]

Danny Fortson is an old school physical player and undersized PF/C, and even viewed as an enforcer. He is the second all time highest scorer in his Alma Mater after 3 years there. One stunning stats is that his foul per 36 mins in some seasons is 9. At turn of century, he started out the season averaging 16 points and 16 rebounds for six games before an injury. He also derailed a young European talent by a tough dirty foul and according to lawsuit he filed to the league much later, the FO of opposing team tried to ruin his reputation, and retired shortly after losing the lawsuit.

Will keep this one short and sweet. David saved the day in my battle against Goliath again. Fitting for an enforcer as well. Both future cards from him have 2/ and 4/, fitting to my 24 Kobe general collecting interests.

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[Lothar]

Awesome cards and just amazing collection thus far! Can't wait to see the rest.

[MJ23Collector]

Is this Stephen? Yeah, lots of pairing will featured for sure. Thank you for the prop.

Nope, not Stephen. I guess you don't want that season ticket anymore :cry:...

An epic thread from a true collector!

[spinotron]

Awesome cards and just amazing collection thus far! Can't wait to see the rest.

Thank you. 1/16 now. It’s a labor but a fun one.

[spinotron]

Nope, not Stephen. I guess you don't want that season ticket anymore :cry:...

An epic thread from a true collector!

This hint helps, so you are one of 40+ collectors I contacted. J/K. Must be B. from S. then. Nice to see you here. Appreciate it. Definite a project for true collectors, a bit painful otherwise.

Speed will pick up from first 10.

[bkcardcollector]

how am i just seeing this now! :popcorn:

[spinotron]

how am i just seeing this now! :popcorn:
I should have updated it more regularly. Thanks for checking it out.

[spinotron]

This credentials now is 1/75, a special numbering which I like, matching with Kobe I have. Duncan needs no introduction nor short bio to put it into context.

Now a little story about the credentials future:

When I started out in hobby 2009-2010, the main card I chase is LeBron 2003-04 Exq RPA /99 BGS 9.5. It's well documented in the other site which is unfortunately not available now.

Why am I not a millionaire by a single card yet? Because I was too picky and set my eyes on unbumped 9.5. (The closest chance I had was making a 16.5k offer privately via eBay message to a 9.5 seller who turned around and countered and sold to another buy at 16.7k. I won’t disclose it’s bumped or not for that copy, because that copy was still around.)

Another seller had a beautiful unbumped LeBron 9.5 with a sick patch with a high firm asking price. He was grading and building an all 9.5 set of 2003-04 Exquisite base. His username contains durant, and some people might know who this is.

He also had this Duncan credentials future /6 for sale in BGS old label, same grade. He tried to bump it into a 9 but only managed increase a sub by 0.5. (I would much prefer the old label, but I like this serial. I know this card is /6 but look how many 6s there are in the BGS serial number.)

I had interested and we discussed. But I was busy and he was busy, there was always a lag in communication.

Then a very smart hobbyist Joel (aka minnesotachill) bought it, who is ahead of his time, always anticipates and buys undervalued but high potential cards and is still doing well to this day and his threads are always entertaining and insightful as well. I hope he does not mind me crediting him about this acquisition. I managed to land this card from him, for which I’m very grateful.

The way cards are posted means this is 2/ and the other is 1/ in this order, which makes 21. This year is Duncan’s HOF year, a great occasion to show off one of this anti-Kobe’s best cards.

The moral of the story is don’t set too stringent parameters for your goal, even if you cannot get most ideal targets, getting something close to it will be equally rewarding and definitely much better than having nothing to show for it at all. (Of course, the hindsight is always 20/20, I know.)

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[spinotron]

Keith Van Horn was the second pick of the draft and quite popular among collectors back in the day. He had an illustrious collegiate career, clutch, all time leading scorer in U of Utah and named WAC player of the year for three years in a row. He averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds as a rookie in Nets, and led them into playoffs, and first white player graced the cover of SLAM magazine. In the second year, improved to 21.8+8.5. He was clutch and instrumental for Nets to the Finals to face Lakers by hitting ECF series clinching shot, and leading team in rebound and second in scoring.

I showcased a copy of credentials now card which has a slight hint of yellow over lime green, to bring awareness of fading issue of credentials. If you display them extensively instead of tucking them away, they will go from vibrant lime green to dull dark yellow. So please take good care of your cards.

When a card is monumental, you still remember where you were when you purchased it. I was about to attend a white tie dinner and in the middle of fitting, and saw the credentials future /7 was listed and I emailed an offer to the seller and continued to go about get myself ready for a while, then I realized my offer became BIN without a notification from the seller, luckily I was still able to snatch it.

Prior to that event, it was an agonizing search in the dark. I was able to locate a copy in an Asian blog and when it arrived, it was a bankruptcy copy without serial numbering. I was able to find an email back in 90s where a hobbyist had it and the email sent to that person is never replied. Probably the best KVH highend collector Kyle W among various things he helped me also gave me a lead on YouTube which led to no avail.

Of course the most obvious lead and the longest I chased is from artyman60, another passionate KVH collector with an almost complete PC. It's the only copy publicly visible and known. I have a very concise but super highend KVH PC which was not enough to get a trade and various other attempts cannot unlock it which is testament of how attached and sentimental the collectors are to their top cards. I at least got him from ignoring me to friendly conversation to consideration to ultimately still no.

Glad to land one different copy in a close shave and also a special numbered one. Landing this card is a historical moment and I will reveal why later on (probably not a hard guess now).

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[spinotron]

Brevin Knight has few highlights to write about. All-time leader in assists and steals in Stanford. All rookie first team, and as a rookie led NBA in steal per game. During Nash’s 2004-05 MVP season, he was second in assist per game in NBA. (Speaking of Nash, omitting Nash from this set is probably one of biggest misses, but natural from how Nash’s career developed.) Now a commentator.

When I was a kid, NBA was not broadcasted a lot, maybe one game on sports channel and one or two games on star sports per week, but I do remember watching a few games of him and left me a good impression.

His serial number coincides with Kobe but opposite, kind of noticeable as a Kobe collector.

BGS 9 is a very good grade for this condition sensitive set, 9.5 is very rare and tough, two 10 subs are not easy either, 0.5 away. In my early collecting, grading was a small hobby, and I only graded a little, cards being raw or graded tend to be the way I acquired them as such. I graded myself some key cards in a limited scope.

The story of this acquisition of credentials future is not too long either. I won it at PWCC auction in Sep 2013. It’s a 8/8. This updated another copy I acquired a bit earlier, as I prefer the special numbering. Hope I can pair it up with another 8/8 in the future. ;P

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[spinotron]

Croshere never missed playoffs in his first 10 years and in his contract year, he played well and contributed to leading Pacers to NBA Finals in 2000 facing Lakers. During that series, he averaged 15P (just behind Reggie and Jalen) and 6R (just behind Dale). He almost was in 50/40/90 club in that series.

I acquired 4/9 from Ian in 2013 and this 2/9 again from Joel in 2015. 2/+4/ =24 is very nice for Kobe Finals matchup pairing. But since Kobe was wearing number 8, let's say 2/ and 4/ for final score 2:4.

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[minnesotachill]

Appreciate the credit on the Duncan/6. Man those were the days. Buying and selling historic cards for the price of a todays prizm silvers.

What a great time to be in the hobby. So glad I could be a part of your epic accomplishment.

[spinotron]

Billups is an on-court general and clutch big shot maker. He won Finals MVP against Lakers dysfunctional super team, and in '06 he was both all-NBA and all-defense second team, nicely coincides 06/ serial number below. He is future head coach to be, turning down the opportunity in Cavs and could join Lue as an associated HC next.

This credentials now in PSA is one of earliest acquisitions. I acquired credentials future 6/10 from Jay P, before he even joined in the forum, and now he is known as dengbang here. Every time he messaged me and he is checking I still have the card, and we also discussed some interesting Kobe cards and stories in the past. I'm very grateful for all the friendships and ties established through this chase. This card might originally come from blackrose collection, which I will recount very shortly in two posts from now.

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[spinotron]

Appreciate the credit on the Duncan/6. Man those were the days. Buying and selling historic cards for the price of a todays prizm silvers.

What a great time to be in the hobby. So glad I could be a part of your epic accomplishment.

You were spot on on prizm golds of Kawhi and Giannis and many others. Congrats. If KD comes back healthy and stronger, even more. Prizm silver is nuts, high price given huge abundance, hobby cannot be fathomed with this as comps, or one loses minds quickly, possibly pants at some point too.

Yeah, many epic and super rare cards have been passing through your hands. Good old times. Glad you and some other legends are still around.

[spinotron]

Now a summary picture.

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One eighth down. Not easy to have first 10 rarest 1997-98 E-X2001 essential credentials future. Dedication, persevere and lots of helps from hobby friends, and a bit of luck. More will come soon. /12 will be a great story as well.

[bkcardcollector]

I should have updated it more regularly. Thanks for checking it out.

haha no worries. i havent updated my pc vintage thread in about a year but do it kinda like you where I have created space to help me sort it out to keep track of what i have and need and update it but there is no new post.

Thanks for posting.

[theLUCKYshow]

Just catching up, amazing thread spinotron! Your collection, storytelling, wealth of knowledge, and passion inspire me.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[armyml]

I just went through this entire post, great read man and awesome collection so far!

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[ljandkg]

As someone said earlier, the thread we need right now.

Loving the old stories.

[auburn35]

Not sure which I'm enjoying more; reading the acquisition stories or viewing the images?
Thanks for sharing.

[bberns]

As someone said earlier, the thread we need right now.

Loving the old stories.

Yes, perhaps a newcomer or two will pause and appreciate what a monumental achievement this is.

[2010GBPackers]

What a thread so far! I'm loving the backstories and how much you pay attention to serial numbering for your collection. Keep 'em coming.

[csrockerzero]

Seriously spinotron, you are a trail blazer. That Duncan rookie /6, though :eek::eek::eek:

[CastleBeachCards]

Jesus............just those 20 is mind blowing.

[ljandkg]

Yes, perhaps a newcomer or two will pause and appreciate what a monumental achievement this is.


I don't think any newbies will understand how long this took or what he has actually done.

[BravesFan4Life]

I don't think any newbies will understand how long this took or what he has actually done.

The biggest thing is a lot of collectors now, I mean younger ones might have been in diapers when this set came out...a lot of them were not around for these players outside of the few bigger names and have been spoiled(so to speak) with ways to get a lot of shinier things, instead of taking cases to hit a parallel they can get a ton per box now. Eventually these sets will be vintage to the Mid 30s to 40s collectors but maybe completely undesirable to the younger collectors. Think of vintage baseball, it is legitimately for the older crowd, I go to shows and 99% of the time vintage baseball guys are in their 60s, crowing about the good ole days because that was their youth. Our youth could be Magic, Jordan, potentially Kobe and Lebron. A kid born in 2002 has little to no idea how the hobby was other than through anecdotes. They did not live it, they did not grow up with the Showtime Lakers, Bad Boy Pistons, the Jordan Bulls, and Shaq and Kobe. They grew up with a likely past his prime Kobe, a starting to hit his peak Lebron and boxes that guaranteed hits and parallels are a dime a dozen. A certain group will appreciate this insane post forever but some could not care any less about these, just like a lot of people do not care about vintage baseball. Generations are funny.


Okay that was a longish rant....the cards in this post are sheer insanity, love it so far. Always wished I had the money to open this stuff when it first came out, but I was a broke kid and well could never afford it even as I got older.

[Hellcat]

Bump where did you go?!

[ljandkg]

The biggest thing is a lot of collectors now, I mean younger ones might have been in diapers when this set came out...a lot of them were not around for these players outside of the few bigger names and have been spoiled(so to speak) with ways to get a lot of shinier things, instead of taking cases to hit a parallel they can get a ton per box now. Eventually these sets will be vintage to the Mid 30s to 40s collectors but maybe completely undesirable to the younger collectors. Think of vintage baseball, it is legitimately for the older crowd, I go to shows and 99% of the time vintage baseball guys are in their 60s, crowing about the good ole days because that was their youth. Our youth could be Magic, Jordan, potentially Kobe and Lebron. A kid born in 2002 has little to no idea how the hobby was other than through anecdotes. They did not live it, they did not grow up with the Showtime Lakers, Bad Boy Pistons, the Jordan Bulls, and Shaq and Kobe. They grew up with a likely past his prime Kobe, a starting to hit his peak Lebron and boxes that guaranteed hits and parallels are a dime a dozen. A certain group will appreciate this insane post forever but some could not care any less about these, just like a lot of people do not care about vintage baseball. Generations are funny.


Okay that was a longish rant....the cards in this post are sheer insanity, love it so far. Always wished I had the money to open this stuff when it first came out, but I was a broke kid and well could never afford it even as I got older.

Good shout! Back in the day I had both Larry Johnson versions, including the 2/35 pink! I also had no idea how significant they would become - how would you know when it cost you 35 bucks??:D

[oldschooled]

This is nostalgic. Pack price were so low and inserts are very scarce. I only bought Fleer and Upper Deck Collectors Choice as how broke i was as a kid. You can only ask for these EX skybox around Christmas time!