My Kobe RC collection

[LakersMC]

I've been collecting 96-97 Kobe RCs ever since his first year. My goal has been to get every card, every insert, and every parallel from every company from 96-97. I haven't been collecting these in a while. But I'm going to re-start.

I got motivated to scan them in by seeing other people's scans. I have other cards besides these that I'll post another day.

This first one means the most to me because I got this autographed in person.

[LakersMC]

Bowman, Collector's Choice, Finest, Flair, Fleer

[LakersMC]

Hoops, Metal, Scoreboard, Skybox

[LakersMC]

Skybox, Skybox EX, Skybox Z Force, UD, Topps

[LakersMC]

Topps Chrome, Ultra, Upper Deck, UD3, SPX (techincally 1997)

[BBonds25]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like the only RC your missing is the Topps Chrome.

[LakersMC]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like the only RC your missing is the Topps Chrome.

Nice catch. Good eye. I actually do have the Topps Chrome. But it's in a PSA holder. So I'll scan it in later.

I'm missing a few other rare inserts, and some parallels - like refractors, and Flair Legacy (ser # to 150).

Thanks for looking!

[pwaldo]

Love them all but that IP autograph one is something special that cannot be replaced. I collected basketball more in 1996 than anything else and while I didn't really pull Kobes that much it was a loaded class that had a lot to offer. Nash, Iverson, Ray Allen, Marbury, etc were all great pulls along with Kobe. Lots of great memories with those sets and players. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[WilyWestbrook0]

Love them all but that IP autograph one is something special that cannot be replaced. I collected basketball more in 1996 than anything else and while I didn't really pull Kobes that much it was a loaded class that had a lot to offer. Nash, Iverson, Ray Allen, Marbury, etc were all great pulls along with Kobe. Lots of great memories with those sets and players. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

1996-97 and 1997-98 were the best seasons to collect; lots of great, creative product, great rookie classes (especially 1996 with Kobe, Iverson, etc.), and not the overproduction that dominated the early '90s junk wax era. Also a great time to watch NBA basketball, and not just because of Jordan's Bulls (I was a Rex Chapman fan and remember his buzzer beater in the playoffs and the nine threes, for example). I have very fond memories of those times. The only other time I can compare is 2015-16 when OKC still had Durant and when the Cavs upset the Warriors, when Prizm was still affordable, and when Kobe played his final amazing game.

[LakersMC]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has great memories from 96!

Love them all but that IP autograph one is something special that cannot be replaced. I collected basketball more in 1996 than anything else and while I didn't really pull Kobes that much it was a loaded class that had a lot to offer. Nash, Iverson, Ray Allen, Marbury, etc were all great pulls along with Kobe. Lots of great memories with those sets and players. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

You are so right about that class of 96! Thanks for the reminder! In fact, I have most of these Kobe RCs because I traded away all my Nash, Iverson, Starbury RCs for them. Yes, great memories!

1996-97 and 1997-98 were the best seasons to collect; lots of great, creative product, great rookie classes (especially 1996 with Kobe, Iverson, etc.), and not the overproduction that dominated the early '90s junk wax era. Also a great time to watch NBA basketball, and not just because of Jordan's Bulls (I was a Rex Chapman fan and remember his buzzer beater in the playoffs and the nine threes, for example). I have very fond memories of those times. The only other time I can compare is 2015-16 when OKC still had Durant and when the Cavs upset the Warriors, when Prizm was still affordable, and when Kobe played his final amazing game.

Good point about creative product. I think 96 Flair Showcase started the serial numbering (Legacy parallel is numbered to 150). Skybox EX has a clear acetate window (the blue sky in the Kobe RC above). Two of my fave sets of all time.