LeBron James Rookies

Yankees001

What are the chances that in 20-30 years James rookies will have the same value as Jordan rookies? I think they might have a chance, but also do not follow basketball. His rookies were produced after the junk wax era, so it's a plus.

I know the Chrome is the one to get. Out of his regular set rookies (no autographs, jersey, insert or high end sets) which is the best?

Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck How much are PSA 9 and PSA 10's worth?

I'm thinking about picking up a couple and see what they do.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Dave

ydapd

<< <i>What are the chances that in 20-30 years James rookies will have the same value as Jordan rookies? I think they might have a chance, but also do not follow basketball. His rookies were produced after the junk wax era, so it's a plus.

I know the Chrome is the one to get. Out of his regular set rookies (no autographs, jersey, insert or high end sets) which is the best?

Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck How much are PSA 9 and PSA 10's worth?

I'm thinking about picking up a couple and see what they do.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Dave >>




highly unlikely they'll ever reach the status of the Jordan RC. will be interesting to see what his Exquisite RC/Patch/Auto goes for in a few decades.

for his best base rookies (after Topps Chrome of course) , I think his Topps Matrix RC with Wade and Bosh on it , maybe has some future potential. always liked the design on his Bowman Chrome RC too.

as far as PSA 10's ? these are rough estimates but just to give you an idea, Topps and Fleer go for about 80-100, UD goes for about half that.

1985fan

The Jordan benefited from being in a relatively obscure set at a time when there was very little interest in basketball cards. I think what you'll have is some of the numbered cards reaching astronomical heights that far exceed the Jordan, and his other ones being far less costly due to them being far less rare.

MrVintage

I don't think he will ever be considered as great or have the same popularity as MJ, but I could see him viewed as a top 5 all-time player if he wins a few more rings and MVPs.

1985fan

<< <i>I don't think he will ever be considered as great or have the same popularity as MJ, but I could see him viewed as a top 5 all-time player if he wins a few more rings and MVPs. >>



Many already consider him to be MJs equal - he plays better defense, is a better passer and rebounder, and can play the 1-4. He's a bigger, stronger, faster version of MJ.

ROCKDJRW

Anyone who thinks Lebron plays better defense then Jordan is either a) trying to start an Internet argument to young to have seen Jordan play or c) Lebrons family member. Jordan dominated both sides of the court and never took a game off. Lebron may be a better GM then Jordan.

TheZodiacCollection

LeBron James signed his first autograph long before he was old enough to drive. In an age where no great high school player goes unnoticed, Lebron James was more famous as a teenager than 90% of NBA and college players. It think it could be a good investment, but risky. If he pulls an OJ, A-Rod, or Lance Armstrong like move, than the value goes down the drain.

ldferg

<< <i>Lebron may be a better GM then Jordan. >>



Until he has a few more rings, this is about as good as it will get when compared to MJ.

billwaltonsbeard

The OP's question was about Lebron's cards being equal or surpassing MJ's RC, not Lebron as a player vs. MJ.

And the answer to that is quick and simple........NO. No Lebron James card printed in 2003 will ever be as desired or valuable as the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan.

1985fan

<< <i>Anyone who thinks Lebron plays better defense then Jordan is either a) trying to start an Internet argument to young to have seen Jordan play or c) Lebrons family member. Jordan dominated both sides of the court and never took a game off. Lebron may be a better GM then Jordan. >>




I've watched a lot of basketball over the years, and yes MJ was an amazing defender, but he was never asked nor tried playing the 1-4 like Lebron can and does. As a bulls fan I am sure you remember Lebron turning MVP Derrick Rose into a non-factor. How can you watch that, watch him shut down any player that needs to be guarded, and he's only getting better. And when Dwight Howard was still in Orlando, Lebron was tasked with spells of defending him as well, and was more than up to the task.

If you honestly think that MJ would be up to the task of guarding guys like Rose AND DH12, and doing it to the level that Lebron can? Well I don't know what to tell you at that point.

1985fan

I'd suspect the market for Jordan 10's has already peaked. Anyone who wanted one already has one I would assume.

ydapd

<< <i>I'd suspect the market for Jordan 10's has already peaked. Anyone who wanted one already has one I would assume. >>



actually Jordan RC 10's keep going up. however the market for LBJ RC's has already peaked. years ago.

eagles33

Jordan has several things going for it. For starters there is only one to pick from. Personally I'm a 84 star fan but I'm in the minority. For most people if they want a Jordan rookie they are buying an 86 fleer card and that's it. A person buying a Lebron rookie has a million options. There isn't a single card to call his rookie. The 2nd thing going for the Jordan is the production. While 86 fleer certainly isn't rare it is less common than base sets produced in 2003. 3rd I don't think lebrons popularity is anywhere close to Jordan's. Jordan wasn't just a basketball star. He was the face of Nike, Gatorade, Haynes ect.... While Lebron has endorsements I don't think it's close to success of Jordan's. there could be some numbered/jersey/hair/auto/patch/skin ridiculous 1/1 Lebron rookie that sells for a ridiculous amount but a base rookie card will most likely never be in the same price range as Jordan's.... IMO of course

JasonM32

It's comparing apples and oranges in my opinion but a valid question. Here's my long winded attempt to explain my position.

The 1986 fleer card is a gorgeous, iconic card from a very desirable set. It's one of the best cards in the entire hobby and I don't see that ever changing. The 1985 Star is a little sketchy with all the fakes and the fact that only BGS will even attempte to grade them. Even the real ones that BGS grades are all off center which is the reason I'm not in a hurry to buy one. PSA 10s of the 1986 Fleer have fluctuated a lot over the years but they usually end up in the 8,000 to 10,000 range. In my opinion it's not particualrly rare but it's desirablity is going to last forever. He really only has one rookie card an Lebron has over 60.

Technically Lebron's "best" rookie card is already more valuable than Jordan's. The the high book for his 2003 Exquisite #78 is already $12,000. Thats for a raw card. It's a patch/auto rookie numbered to only 99 copies. The rarity that makes it valuable is the very thing that scares people away from collecting Lebron in general. Why start a PSA set when you'll never be able to afford the highest weighted and most desirable card. "The Decision" and Lebron's penchant for saying dumb things and making himself look like an arrogant douche could work against him. Also, the Steroid/HGH thing could come out and really hurt him. I'm not saying he's using but for a guy that big, that fast and that strong you'd be a fool not to consider it.

For the future I really think that Lebron is going to continue to climb in stature. He finally won a ring and is likely to win more. He's taken his game to the next level in the last two years. His stats are bananas and because of his youth he's going to continue to put up absurd number for quite awhile. People love a winner so they are starting to forgive Lebron for his mistakes and embrace him. You are already seeing a lot of people put him over Larry Bird on the GOAT list (I don't). Most of Lebron's rookie cards are very rare being numbered to 999, 799, 500, or 250. I personally believe that eventually Lebron's body of work is going to be so overwhelming that people will come around and really start collecting his rookie cards agressively. When that happens, look out. I don't see his rookie card ever being as iconic as Jordan's but the $$$ is going to be there.

Yankees001

Thank you for the responces.

I have one problem when compairing James to Jordan. Titles do not determine who is the best. 1 person does not win the title, it is a team effert to win. Who's the greatest baseball player ever? Ruth? Did he have the most Titles?? No one cares.

It's the player that becomes great. Titles form Dynasty's (team effert).

Thanks again for the responces.

Dave

JasonM32

Basketball is a team sport but in the NBA superstar players legacies have a lot to do with their ring count. I'm not saying it's fair but that's just the way it is. With only 10 players on the court at one time an NBA superstar can have a great deal of influence over the entire game. More so than sports like football or baseball in my opinion. It's really hard to measure who is the best or the greatest and everyone has their own reasons why favor one guy over another. For me titles are very important but not the be all end all. I look at a guy like Dominique Wilkins. His teams never won a championship but he was still a very dominant player in his own right. My favorite player is Magic Johnson but comparing him to MJ is hard because they played different positions and they had very different responsabilities on their teams.

ClockworkAngel

<< <i>Jordan has several things going for it. For starters there is only one to pick from. Personally I'm a 84 star fan but I'm in the minority. For most people if they want a Jordan rookie they are buying an 86 fleer card and that's it. A person buying a Lebron rookie has a million options. There isn't a single card to call his rookie. The 2nd thing going for the Jordan is the production. While 86 fleer certainly isn't rare it is less common than base sets produced in 2003. 3rd I don't think lebrons popularity is anywhere close to Jordan's. Jordan wasn't just a basketball star. He was the face of Nike, Gatorade, Haynes ect.... While Lebron has endorsements I don't think it's close to success of Jordan's. there could be some numbered/jersey/hair/auto/patch/skin ridiculous 1/1 Lebron rookie that sells for a ridiculous amount but a base rookie card will most likely never be in the same price range as Jordan's.... IMO of course >>



I think this post sums it up the best. Jordan is more than a great basketball player. In fact, Jordan is more than a legend. He's iconic. There's Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Michael Jordan, maybe Wayne Gretzky. Lebron James will never ever be in that class. Jordan literally took the league over and lifted it from oblivion, and turned it into a cash cow. NBA ratings and ticket sales are down during the Lebron era. People don't tune in to see what Lebron will do game to game. I don't think people care about Lebron. I checked MJ's box score every night, watched Sportscenter for a Jordan highlight, etc.

JasonM32

As much of an icon as Jordan became I would argue that it was actually Bird and Magic that rescued the league from oblivion.

ClockworkAngel

<< <i>As much of an icon as Jordan became I would argue that it was actually Bird and Magic that rescued the league from oblivion. >>



I thought so too. But the first 2-3 years of Bird/Magic still had low ratings, down attendance and they actually showed the NBA Finals on tape delay.

Jordan entered the league the next year and the finals were Boston vs. LA Lakers and everything came together

JasonM32

With respect, the Bird/Magic rivalry is what renewed interest in the NBA. Largely because David Stern became commissioner in 1984 and he finally put together a competent marketing program that was entirely centered around Magic/Bird and LA/Boston. I'd give David Stern credit before I would Jordan. If you haven't watched the documentary "A Courtship of Rivals" you should. It spells everything out pretty clearly. Jordan became the face of the league later on and did a fantastic job.