Topps Last Hoops Hurrah

Watched first four episodes of The Last Dance and its enjoyable so far. Re-living Chicago Bulls last hurrah and the drama the team endured during their way to 6th and final title of Michael Jordan era. Part 3 and 4 flashback to the beginning of Bulls dynasty with Phil Jackson now as coach employing triangle offense and team coming together in bulking up to battle Pistons Nasty Boys to getting their first title against Magic and the Lakers. What else happen in the 1990? The sport card boom with basketball cards getting a piece of the action. Fleer was sole producer of NBA cards with famed 86-87 set til Hoops enter the foray in 1989. It was follow up with Skybox (1990), Upper Deck (1990), and Topps (1992). Companies have either been bought out and merged or declared bankruptcy and have their assets and name sold. In 2005 only three remain on producing NBA cards: Topps, Upper Deck, and Panini. Just as 2000 decade about to end the basketball card landscape changed. In early 2009 Panini got exclusive rights to produce NBA cards which they hold today. For Topps and Upper Deck 2009-10 is the final time to produce NBA licensed set. Upper Deck would still produce a few basketball related sets under NCAA license. For Topps it was their last foray and likely remain that way into foreseeable future. Topps went out of basketball with a big bang.

The 2009-10 set was at 330 cards, the largest since 2000-01 set (295 cards). The cards are from hobby box I bought when it came out. The design was basic and effective with a name, position, and team logo on the front.

It's the run of the mill stats on back of the card but got a black border around it. It makes the card prone to chipping.

Photography selection? They got great shots especially this Nate Robinson card. The shot was from Slam Dunk contest leaping over Dwight Howard in his contest clinching dunk.

Speaking of Dwight here's him with a massive block with Paul Pierce underneath him.

Overhead view of KG grabbing a board

Big Baby pushes down Brad Miller

 Steve Novak celebrating a winning shot

Joel Przybilla underneath Big Z after tangling with each other

Samuel Dalembert stretching

KD about to lay it up

LeBron about to slam it down

There's randomly inserted cards such gold border cards (numbered to 2010) which been a fixture of Topps. DeShawn Stevenson entering the court looking like a winner. Matt Bonner laying it up past a Clipper.

You may find black border (numbered to 50) card. Chris Wilcox about to slam it in

Randomly inserted are chrome cards. I was lucky to pull a chrome refractor of Carmelo as he lays it up past Ron Artest.

Insert set titled Draft Snapshot featuring shot of players taken from day of the draft year. If you like looking at fine threads from the draft this is for you. Bosh looking good in that gold color tux on draft night.

You know what else made this set iconic? The draft class. It's one of strongest draft class since 2004. The final 15 cards of the set featured the first 15 players drafted of 2009 class. That year's rookie crop have produced MVPs in both regular season and finals, scoring leaders, assist leaders, All-NBA, and various All-Stars along few busts. The biggest one is this card....

The man who would lead Warriors dynasty in 2015-2020. One of faces of the NBA as he's a two time MVP and a 6-time All Star. He's the only one that is STILL playing for his drafted team which is a rarity now. If you are looking pick up this card expect to put down big money on it. This card can fetch for $100-$125 ungraded. A 9.5 grade card was sold for almost $600 last month.

I was lucky to get both the base and the gold out of the box. A league MVP (2018), two time scoring champ, and 8 time All-Star. Still have not been to NBA finals yet. Currently playing for Houston Rockets. His rookie card can be fetched $20-$30 ungraded.

A four-time All-Star; currently playing for San Antonio Spurs

First overall pick of that year draft he have to miss 2009 season due to injury. He returned taking rookie of year in 2010 as well becoming a six-time All-Star, and Slam Dunk contest winner. Currently playing for Detroit Pistons. I say he's at twilight of his career as his knees and body are breaking down.

One-time All Star and former NBA All-Defensive First Team (2018). Currently playing for New Orleans Pelicans

Then you have the players who either have serviceable or journeyman career

Taken 5th overall didn't come to the league til 2011 where he played for Timberwolves til 2017. Currently playing for Suns.

He was raw potential star only to flame out and have a journeyman career. Last played in the NBA in 2018.

A star at North Carolina he played 7 years in the NBA before spending at season in G-League then the last three years in China.

Named rookie of the year in 2009 he spent 10 years with 4 teams in the league before getting kicked out for violating anti-drug program.

Then you have the following two busts from my box:

Drafted 2nd overall played 4 seasons with 4 teams and at the time the highest drafted player to get sent down the G-League (which is surpassed by Anthony Bennett). Despite last playing in the league in 2014 he still hard at work trying get back in NBA playing in the G-League.

The surprised pick that analysts immediately knew it was bad pick the second it was announced. Drafted 4th overall played three seasons before playing remainder of his career overseas. Last known season as a player is 2014.

That's it from the box I got about a decade ago. I believe I paid $90 for it at the time. I wish I found my ordering records from that period. The set is 95% complete and I should get singles to complete it but I'm too lazy. Topps delivered game winning shot on their final NBA release. Just like Michael Jordan winning shot over the Jazz for their 6th and final NBA championship of their dynasty. It was right timing with the rookie class and circumstances on how they projected to leave a memorable set for basketball card collectors. Panini still haven't produced a memorable set since they got NBA license. Maybe they are banking on Zion Williamson career path on how to call NBA card set a classic.

If you want purchase a box of this set expect to pay big money on it. Ebay listings have hobby boxes over two grand. Dave and Adam got it at over $2300. I wonder how many bought at the time and have it sitting and stashed somewhere as the prices have gone up 20X since.