Damian Lillard & values of non-auto RCs, base

[WilyWestbrook0]

Dame's cards are way up now, no surprise given how well he's played as of late, with Portland even taking the first game from the Lakers in the playoffs.

I remember telling people a couple or so years ago to buy 2012-13 boxes because the "dual" rookie class still had so much potential left; a number of sets with rookie autos still had many boxes left that were only about $100 or so at the time. I put together a full set of Past and Present, along with many of the insert sets, and I'm glad now, because Dame and Kawhi cards are going for $50-$100 in this crazy market.

One thing I definitely didn't predict though, which has become a thing, are plain non-autoed rookies also going nuts in this market! (Along with second year base of superstars.) All of us low-end collectors now have lots of cards that we never thought would be all that valuable. It still boggles my mind.

So yeah, I put together a lot of sets last decade, and wow is that paying off today. The star rookies from those sets have gone up exponentially in value. Among them, I have 1996-97 Topps with Kobe, 2012-13 Present with Dame and Kawhi, 2013-14 Prizm (Giannis; even the star base from that set are going $100+, so I need to put it in better storage), and 2015-16 Donruss (Booker).

Since I have plans to start a family next year, I have to consider parting with some of these while this bubble still lasts. I do have some skepticism of these prices lasting. It's amazing to be a part of this currently, however. I was a low end collector all these years, and it's so weird to look at my collection now and think, hey this was more than just a fun hobby I wasted my money on. lol

[pwaldo]

Since I have plans to start a family next year, I have to consider parting with some of these while this bubble still lasts. I do have some skepticism of these prices lasting. It's amazing to be a part of this currently, however. I was a low end collector all these years, and it's so weird to look at my collection now and think, hey this was more than just a fun hobby I wasted my money on. lol

Starting a family > cards

Nobody ever said man I wish I hadn't started a family and instead had pictures of athletes before.

I don't know when the bubble pops on these prices but they just can't sustain themselves and if they do then everyone on this board is going to be filthy rich. So if you move the cards and they skyrocket to millions of dollars each I'll personally give you a $1 million to offset the loss because I still have some basketball cards left.

I mean just look at this stuff. I-N-S-A-N-E

1996-97 topps kobe bryant 600
1997-98 topps kobe bryant 150
1997-98 metal universe michael jordan 400
1997-98 metal universe kobe bryant 100
2003-04 topps (and fleer and upper declk) lebron james 1000
2004-05 topps lebron james 150
2008-09 topps lebron james 100
2008-09 topps chrome lebron james 300
2008-09 topps kobe bryant 200
2008-09 topps chrome kobe bryant 300

[WilyWestbrook0]

lol. Ya know, I used to have that LeBron Topps RC years ago when it booked $20...lol. I'm pretty sure I had some Fleers, too. At the least, I had the triple one of him with Wade on it. It may have even been numbered (whoops, never mind -- found reference to it in the archives here -- it had Darko instead of Wade, thank goodness haha). Also used to have the 2004-05 Topps (sold the complete set) and 2008-09 Topps (was in my Cavs/LeBron PC). I did hold onto some other LeBron stuff, notably the box sets from 2003 (regular and Phenomenal Beginning). Those are also in the 100+ range these days.

I think the 1997-98 Kobe/MJ Metal Universes go high because of the PMG set. Then again, the 1995-96 Metal MJs also book a bit. People really liked those sets; Panini might want to consider a variation on that theme.

But yeah, definitely thinking about moving the better stuff, especially Prizm with Giannis. I want to move the whole set somehow, but good storage needs to be considered. The Giannis was received by PSA and is in the process of grading. If I get 9 or better, and he stays in the playoffs for awhile, I figure I can move the set for at least $3k. I also need to consider whether to sell it locally or on eBay. Lots of options.