In the fast-paced world of sports card collecting, the NBA Conference Finals act like a high-stakes game of blackjack, daring collectors to predict which star will propel their team to glory. This year, fans are enthusiastic about unexpected faces leading the charge, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks surprisingly still in the mix. As these teams vie for a place in the finals, collectors are zeroing in on dynamic, high-profile card inserts – the Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast – which have become the shimmering jewels of the sports card market. So, who among these tremendous talents is racking up the most hobby heat, and how are their cards performing under the spotlight? Let’s shuffle through the deck.
Starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the talk of the town is none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has adeptly transitioned from a hopeful young competitor to a force majeure in both the basketball and card trading worlds. His 2023 One and One Downtown card, for example, has been reflecting his soaring trajectory. In just the past month, the raw version of this gem has appreciated by 7.4%, with the most recent transactions hitting the $2,500 mark—a notable jump from May’s early gloom of $1,950. With his rare Obsidian Black Color Blast, collectors have witnessed a whopping 22% increase in value, reaching $850 in recent sales, with PSA 10s going for $1,170. The momentum might suggest potential, but interestingly, the PSA 10 version of his Downtown card has paradoxically dropped by 20%, selling for $3,700 on May 15th. For hobbyists who believe in OKC’s playoff endeavors, this dip could present an enticing buying opportunity, one that appears ripe for capitalizing if Shai and the Thunder continue their electrifying playoff march.
Shifting gears to the north, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, fondly dubbed “Ant-Man,” stands as a centerpiece of intrigue for collectors. The 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! stands as an homage to his electrifying presence. While the raw card last fled hands for a solid $2,950 back in March, its PSA 10 counterpart has inched up by 2.5%, fetching a staggering $8,923 by May 7th. Meanwhile, Edwards’ 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown isn’t playing small ball either; though no recent raw sales have surfaced, the PSA 10 version is soaring to new heights with a 33% increase, sealing at $13,000. For those wagering this charisma-filled dynamo will leap beyond expectations into the deep playoff waters, these inserts remain an irresistible prospect for any prudent collector, implying that getting on board now could mean reaping a considerable fortune later.
Meanwhile, sweeping through the Midwest are the Indiana Pacers, with Tyrese Haliburton orchestrating their campaign literal and figurative points of interest. Haliburton, revered for his leadership and flair, has seen his signature inserts resonate with his on-court performance. His 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown, initially trading at $1,500 in March, has PSA 10s surging by an exhilarating 40%, closing deals for as much as $4,000 by early May. The 2023 Spectra Color Blast is another focal point for collectors, where the last raw card exchanged hands for $830, with the PSA 10 elevating to $1,463. Should the Pacers venture into the advancing rounds, Haliburton’s modern masterpieces could set unprecedented benchmarks, beckoning collectors with pockets burning for investment opportunities and hangers-on for a slice of history in the making.
Last, but by no means least, the New York Knicks, those plucky underdogs presently led by Jalen Brunson, who’s wiry wiles and resolute drive have New York’s faithful believing in another banner year. His 2023 One and One Downtown has painted a picture of contrasting trends across the collector’s world. Raw cards have unfortunately dipped by 14% within a mere month’s span, bottoming out at $1,100 on May 5th, while the PSA 10s impressively tell a more fortuitous story, posting a 35% rise, culminating in sales of $2,425. For those in the hobby game, capturing a raw copy and banking on grading prowess might yield victory in the hobby playoff stakes, where fortunes favor bold moves. Should the Knicks continue their surprise surge, and perhaps shock the league with a final curtain call, collectors could very well be rewarded with hobby treasures in gold – or at least, in market panache.
As the NBA Conference Finals light up the hardwood, sports card enthusiasts are closely trailing the ascent of these franchise players, each jostling for their date with destiny, and eternally echoed through the prism of cardboard splendor. Whether it’s Shai, Ant-Man, Haliburton, or Brunson rising like a phoenix or momentarily faltering, the tangible, evocative allure of these inserts within the cosmos of the card market is an artistic treasure chest awaiting the heartbeat of discovery in what promises to be an exhilarating and potentially rewarding conclusion to the season.
