While there are a lot of card fans who are well into their 30s, there remains a significant number of people in the hobby who are below that age range. This means a portion of the market has little to no idea about the NBA during one of its best eras – the 90s.
During this time, Michael Jordan was the undisputed top draw in the league and the Chicago Bulls were the team to beat. Their championship matches against the Portland Trailblazers, Phoenix Suns, Seattle Supersonics, and Utah Jazz provided endless excitement to fans during this decade. Plus, the arrival of a new generation of stars reinvigorated the NBA for the years to come.
These up-and-coming players entered the league during a booming card market at that time. As a result, you can find a lot of their cards out in the open. We tackle down below which superstars from the 90s are still worth investing in the present NBA card market and why.
Kevin Garnett
Before Kevin Garnett entered the league straight out of high school in 1995, the concept of the big man revolved around a tall and muscular person who can dominate the game from below the rim. Garnett’s arrival changed all of that and paved the way towards a new era in the NBA.
The Big Ticket was among the first generation of big men who can light it up from the post or pull up a jumper near the perimeter. He also paired his offense with a high-motor, especially on the defensive end of the court.
This dangerous skillset allowed Garnett to notch 26,071 points, 14,662 rebounds, 5,445, 2,037 blocks, and a championship with the Boston Celtics during his 22-year career in the NBA. His impending induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in May will further solidify Garnett’s place in the game, and in the card market as well.
Tim Duncan
While Garnett is known for his fiery passion on the court, Tim Duncan is the epitome of ice-cool in the face of pressure. Drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 1997, the Big Fundamental immediately made his presence felt by tallying 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in the 82 games he played as a starter.
Duncan would go on to stay with the Spurs during his 19-year stint in the NBA and win five titles with them. The Big Fundamental also received the regular-season MVP twice, Finals MVP thrice, and appeared in 15 All-Star games over the years.
Like Garnett before him, Duncan tallied impressive numbers when he retired in 2016. Overall, he posted 26,496 points, 15,091 rebounds, and 3,020 blocks during the entirety of his career. Duncan’s list of undeniable accomplishments makes him an intriguing vintage investment for card fans, especially with his upcoming Hall of Fame induction in less than two months from now.
Steve Nash
Sure, there are many bigger names in the 90s than Steve Nash, but there’s a compelling narrative for people to invest in his cards. For starters, he is one of the few players in league history who is equipped with elite playmaking, scoring, and ball-handling. The use of these skills allowed Nash to lead the Dallas Mavericks and subsequently, the Seven Seconds Or Less Phoenix Suns to multiple playoff runs during the course of his 18-year career.
Another reason to invest in Nash is his current role as the Brooklyn Nets’ Head Coach. As it stands, the Nets are heavy favorites to come out on top of the East and win the title this year. If this happens, his vintage card value will definitely spike up. These two factors are more than enough for fans to hunt Nash’s rookie cards and invest in him right away.
Kobe Bryant
No list of 90s NBA card superstars would be complete without the inclusion of Kobe Bryant. His 20-year career spent with the Los Angeles Lakers produced five championships, two FInals MVP awards, 15 All-Star nods, a single regular-season MVP trophy, and countless scoring titles, among others. His upcoming documentary and induction into the Hall of Fame will drive Bryant’s card stock further, making him an ideal player to invest in at this point.
These four legends are just the tip of the iceberg. There are other notable stars from the 90s with NBA cards worth looking into, like Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, and Allen Iverson, to name a few. Be sure to keep a close eye on these names so you can determine the right time and price to invest in their cards.
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