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Every NBA All-Star Weekend has its own story. Whether it's the late Kobe Bryant's last hurrah in 2016, Michael Jordan's iconic dunk from the free throw line in 1988, or everything in between, this collection of moments is something every basketball fan will hold on to.
Of course, it's the same for those in the hobby, and there's no ideal piece of memorabilia to go for than the different All-Star NBA cards on the market right now.
While these cards look the same on the outside with a player and their team on them, there is something that alludes to this fan-favorite event held every year. Here are some that will leave your jaw on the floor.
The most stunning All-Star NBA cards you'll find on the market
5. 2016 Donruss Optic All-Stars Gold Stephen Curry 10/10
The 2016 NBA All-Star Game wasn't just all about Kobe's last stint. This was the year when the West scored a record-setting 196 points to beat the East's 173 to win the game. And who led the charge for the West? It was no other than the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry with 26 points, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals in 28 minutes on the floor.
Collectors who are looking to immortalize Curry's All-Star game need not look far. His 2016 Optic All-Stars Gold is the ideal card to go for with Curry's profile majestically going for a layup as Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant are looking on. It also helps that this All-Star NBA card is numbered 10/10, making it rarer than its other copies. Just be prepared for the cost because this pull in a pristine BGS 10 slab is worth $3,550 on eBay.
4. 2005 SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics LeBron James 50/75
LeBron James' 2005-06 season, to put things simply, was an insane one. With an average of 42.5 minutes in 79 games throughout that season, the then 21-year-old was posting 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. That same train of thought can also be applied to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, a match that saw LeBron lead the East with 29 points to get the 122-120 victory.
It's no wonder then that LeBron's 2005 SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics, numbered to 75 copies, is going up in the market. Apart from being encased in a gem-mint BGS 9.5 slab, it features a patch from a game-used jersey during that monstrous All-Star performance. While this All-Star NBA card predates most offerings from Panini, it still manages a value of $4,379. All things considered, it's not bad for a 16-year-old LeBron James card.
3. 1988 Fleer Michael Jordan All-Star
Ask any basketball fan which dunk has lived on in memory and one of the few that will stand out is Michael Jordan's iconic slam from the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest.
The image of His Airness leaping near the vicinity of the free throw line and staying in the air has become a favorite. Of course, those contests that featured Vince Carter, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon were also great, but nothing beats the first time the whole world saw a man flying through the air when that iconic dunk was done.
Those who want to immortalize Jordan's free throw dunk can grab his 1988 Fleer All-Star card, with his profile suspended right in the middle of that historic leap. Keep in mind, though, that finding a card of this age in great condition can be a challenge. Those with deep pockets can find one at a much higher price in the market. A PSA 10 copy sold late last year for around $5,995 and it can hover around the price nowadays.
2. 2014 Panini Eminence All-Star Kobe Bryant Gold Auto
During the early years of Panini, the company went ahead with the idea of placing an actual piece of silver into one of the cards. Of course, no one from the Junk Wax era would ever imagine that a card like this would exist. Thankfully, Panini did it. One of the finest examples out there is this All-Star NBA card of the late Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant.
This sick Kobe card features one troy ounce of silver with Panini's Eminence brand engraved on it. Kobe's profile has him wearing his 2013 NBA All-Star uniform with his on-card signature below. The kicker here is that this pull is the last copy in a print run of only 10 by Panini. All of these details come together to boost its value through the roof with this copy selling for $8,150 at the end of 2021.
1. 2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant Patch Auto 23/24
Topping this list of All-Star NBA cards is this hot Kobe Bryant patch auto from Exquisite Collection's 2007 set. Even with age, this one pull will be enough to make any collection look more awesome.
With Kobe's signature and a beautiful patch from his NBA All-Star uniform, there's little reason not to love it. And with just 24 copies in existence, it's going to be pretty hard to find one these days. Case in point, this BGS 9 copy sold for $30,100, a price only a select few can afford.
While these are among the top All-Star NBA cards collectors can aim for, there are still a lot of great offerings out there. Make sure to scour the market for those great deals and go for cards that stand out from the rest of the crowd. It won't be long before a couple of these pulls make their way to your collection.
