What set to start?

Allen

I want to do another Basketball set. I finished my 86-87 Fleer and nearly a second set so I am kinda bored with those and they all dried up as far as trading. I want a set that will be very impressive but is possible to finish and will not cost a fortune. I want a challenge, but a challenge I can do lol. I have thought about these sets...

93-94 Finest Refractors
96-97 EX-2000 Essential Credentials
98-99 EX Essential Credentials Now/Future Mixed set
93-94 UD SE All-Stars
97-98 Ex Jambalaya (Would be too expensive but I like to dream)
Also thought about the complete 50 NBA's Greatest Players Autographs. Using mixed certified autos, would be more affordable since Stockton and Ewing have some lower end autos now.

Any suggestions or thoguhts?

goodriddance189

if you start a 93 Refractor set, i could probably help you out. i have around 12-15

Allen

thanks- unfortunantley I recently sold a lot of 35 of them lol
I don't think I will go with that set because I believe ithas been done a lot

baseballjeff

Go for an old set. I don't collect basketball, but go for something that will always be a blast to get cards for. Not one of these newer sets where all the cards look the same and you get blinded by all the color.

Thats my 2 cents,

Good luck, let us know what you end up doing!

Jeff

Tipem

I agree with Jeff,


Think Vintage !!!


Vic

ROCKDJRW

I like the idea of an NBA top 50 autograph set.

joelwalter

I would collect a set that no one else has put together yet...The 93 Finest Refractor set has been done, so has the Jambalaya. The Ex Credentials Now/Future will be impossible since some of them are numbered /1, /2, /3...

Personally, I would collect something like the 97 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems. Each card is #ed out of 50, and they are very attractive looking. The 98 Rubies are nice and more affordable than the previous years'.

Also, when collecting a set, you have to look at the player selection. I like the 97 Embossed Gold Refractors /74. The set featues McGrady and Duncan rcs, plus Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, Barkley, Rodman... They are absolutely stunning too if you take one out of the case and just look at it.

I will be waiting a year or two to start the Sp Signature Gold /50 Autographed set. It's a nice set, with Lebron, Jordan, just about everyone you can think of.

fsjeter

I also agree with Jeff. Go with a vintage set (it should hold it's value better). When I get further along on my other three sets I am planning on working on a '72-'73 Topps or '76-'77 Topps set (love those Tall Boys). Best of Luck to you!!!

Allen

joelwalter- thats why I said a mixed credentials set as in Future and Now- since the Carter is 1/2 in Future I could get the Now which is ?89. Get Futures of the Vets and Nows of the Rookies.

koby

I don't think there is a lot worthwhile vintage sets. I would go for a more difficult modern set.
Here are my thoughts on various sets:

48 Bowman
Looks washed out and has only one player who was voted one of the Greatest 50 Players. Very weak player selection.

57 Topps
Set has tons of condition problems associated with it and aside from a half dozen players is very weak. Impresive only because hard to find in PSA 9 but you would be collecting a bunch of commons.

61 Fleer
Set has a great player selection, but is extremely easy to build in PSA 8 or better condition. Many recently unopened cases have led to tons of high grade cards. Take a look at the registry to see how many high grade sets have already been completed.

93 Refractors
Pretty easy and cheap to build, but you missed out on the Garnett, Duncan, Bryant and other great stars from today.

97 Jambalya
Cards are very expensive but I believe overated. The cards are round so anything less than PSA 9 should be unacceptable. It's such a small set that you will certainly be finished in less than three months if you really tried.

Autographs
This will be very cheap for you to build. Most autographs are dirt cheap until you hit Jordan, Bird, Chamberlain and Russell. Most of the other players can be picked up for less than $10 on ebay, so perhaps no even worthwhile to pay for slabbing.

93 SE All-Stars
No Jordan and none of the major stars of today. Was once hot, but you can pick up any entire set on ebay for very little money.

97 Metal Gems
Beautiful set, but will be very difficult to put together in 9 or better with all the flaky foil Good player selection and will be quite a challenge.

96 Credentials
IMO the best Kobe Bryant rookie. Has Jordan and good player selection. Limited in numbers but not compared to some of the rare numbered cards of today. This set will make a decent challenge.

98 Credentials
Great player selection and nice cards. Will be impossible when you get to the 1/3, 1/2, and 1/1 cards.

z2345

I disagree with your assessment of vintage sets. There are many Hall of Famers in the three sets that you mentioned. Just because you do not recognize the older players does not diminish their significance to the game. I would prefer the 1948 Bowman set or 1957 Topps set over any of the other sets that you have listed.

fsjeter

z2345,

I couldn't agree with you more. The only thing stopping me from building those sets is the depth of my pockets. The problems that he mentions for the 1957 Topps Set is what makes collecting the set fun to me. The challange makes the accomplishment much more gratifying. Happy Collecting!!!