It's pretty easy to root for Michael Jordan or LeBron James if you're into basketball cards. The former owned the league through the late 80s to 90s while the latter is breaking countless records even up to now. While all of those things are true, there will always be a special place in the hobby for the late Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant.
Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers star is among the select few that transcended the NBA and changed the game of basketball through his sheer will and dominance. With career averages of 25 points per game, five rings, 2 Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star Game appearances, among others, it's pretty hard to argue against Bryant's long list of accomplishments. But in the course of 20-year career in the NBA, there have been a good number of moments that will live on forever.
Here are the cards that immortalize those important chapters in Bryant's legendary career.
2008 Topps Chrome basketball card
Bryant's matchups with James were always a reason to stay glued to their games. Whether it's the Lakers going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, fans can be sure of an exciting game between these two legends.
Those who wish to own a piece of those battles can do no better than the Black Mamba's 2008 Topps Chrome basketball card. With the late Bryant being guarded by the King himself, this one has classic written all over it. That, and Topps timeless design elevates the card to a must-have for any collector. That's why it only makes sense for a numbered Xfractor parallel encased inside a PSA 10 slab to reach $20,000 in the market.
1996 Topps Chrome rookie card
When Bryant entered the league, the Chicago Bulls were on top of the world with the Seattle Supersonics, Utah Jazz, and New York Knicks challenging them for the throne. And while the whole world didn't know who this kid was, it was only a matter of time before everyone would know the start to his greatness.
And while there are a lot of options when chasing Bryant's rookie card, there will only be one that stands out from the crowd. That's his 1996 Topps Chrome. Its clean look, paired with a profile of Bryant going up for a shot, evokes memories of his humble beginnings with the Lakers. Even though there are flashier alternatives in the market, this remains to be the one card every Kobe Bryant card enthusiast must have in their collection.
When searching for this particular piece of sports memorabilia, be sure to find one that hasn't discolored yet or hampered by various forms of damage. Of course, if money is no problem, getting a graded copy of this card is still the best way to go. Just be prepared to shell some serious money out. A pristine BGS slab of this coveted basketball card is worth $15,100.
2019 Panini Contenders Tribute Auto
The 2000-01 NBA season saw the Lakers smash through the postseason with a 15-1 record. With the tandem of Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal spearheading the offense, it was only a matter of time before the Purple and Gold won their second straight title by overcoming Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Just after they won their second title, a photo of Bryant sitting in a shower stall and holding the trophy with a disappointed look on his face was released to the media. It was until a couple of years later when the true story of this intriguing image was made known. During that time, Bryant's parents didn't approve of his marriage to Vanessa, which resulted in his folks being absent from the said ceremony, and this particular Finals series.
The image Panini used in its 2019 Panini Contenders Tribute Auto was from that exact moment when Bryant's falling out with his parents was in full display. Below it is an on-card signature with a simple design that completes this basketball card.
With these details in mind, and being one of the final cards Bryant signed himself, it's only right for this wonderful piece of memorabilia to reach $13,000.
2017 Panini Eminence 81 Points Black Mamba Moments
The year was 2006 and the Toronto Raptors have no idea that they'll be on the wrong side of history when the faced the Lakers at their homecourt. In that particular match, the whole world saw Bryant erupt for 81 points on 28-of-46 shooting, including 7-of-13-shots from beyond the arc and 18-of-20 from the free throw line. His herculean effort lifted the Purple and Gold to a 122-104 victory over Toronto on that historic night.
While there are a lot of basketball cards that commemorate Bryant's high-scoring game, the one piece of memorabilia that will turn heads is from Panini's 2017 Eminence set, a product dedicated solely to the late Lakers legend. The card itself highlights Bryant's 81-point game with his signature on the left, a limited print run to 10 copies, and a diamond embedded within.
And since getting a hold of this basketball card is harder these days, its value can't be determined that easily since there are no copies sold on popular platforms, such as eBay.
2017 Panini Eminence Mamba Out
With his career set to end during the 2015-16 season, a wave of nostalgia and appreciation showered the legendary Laker. Even in his final game against the Utah Jazz, Bryant went out on a strong note by delivering 60 points to lead Los Angeles to a 101-96 victory.
Such a memorable game deserves a card worthy of this particular moment in Bryant's long career. Those looking to have this achievement immortalized in card form should go for Panini's 2017 Eminence Mamba Out insert. On it is the Black Mamba waving everyone goodbye and a short list of his major achievements in the NBA. Like most offerings from the said set, it's signed by Kobe and contains a diamond in it.
And like the other Eminence basketball card in this list, the value of this one can't be determined since no recent sale has come up. What's sure is that this piece of Kobe Bryant memorabilia, and the others before it, represent the late Black Mamba at key points of his career. Without a doubt, any collection would be better with these cards in them.
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