Nonsense Newsletter No. 64: The NBA future, a midlife crisis, a $600k set of for auction and more
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In this week’s tantalizing edition of the Nonsense newsletter, John Dudley takes a look at a half dozen players to put on your radar before the break. I, on the other hand, talk about what’s happened in my life as a result of a lifelong, midlife crisis, and we tell you about a $600,000 set of 1953 Topps baseball that can be yours! So sit back, put a smile on your face and enjoy the latest and greatest edition of the SCN newsletter!
Contributor: John Dudley
People always talk about buying low during the NBA season and then selling when players make big gains in the playoffs. Last year I tracked the prices of NBA players during the postseason and found that almost all saw drops during the playoffs. What happened was everyone targeted the postseason hopefuls in the last month of the season hoping to make out like bandits later. This caused a spike before the playoff that meant even players who performed well had gains already baked in. This means you might need to start targeting players you think will contend for a championship earlier than you might expect. In fact, I think the time to do so is now.
Many start paying attention to the NBA after the All-Star break when every media outlet starts running pieces on who will make the playoffs and who the real contenders are. That leaves a little over three weeks before everyone switches over from football to the NBA. I’m using that time to pick up players I think are undervalued and who might make a run. It’s also not a bad time to pick up young rookies and stars who will miss the playoffs, especially as the new rookie cards are starting to roll in. This week, I’m focusing on stars who will play meaningful games this season. Here are six guys who fit that description to a T.Â
Contributor: John McTaggart
I don’t consider myself old, yet I am keenly aware, based mainly on the sore ankle, bum hip and tricky back I deal with almost daily, that I am not as young as I once was either.Â
But, there is a blessing in all of the experience gained from life.
When you get to be mid-life, which is what I fall into nicely, you can take a step back and look over your life. You have a better understanding of what you want out of the remaining time you have, and you have a little less nerves and a touch more courage.
I’ve taken some time recently and done a lot of reflecting.
And what came of all this introspection — trading cards.
Seriously, I looked back and noticed that a lot of my enjoyment, particularly in my career, has come when I was a sports card dealer — buying, selling, trading — with a community I have been a part of since I was 14 years old.
Sure, a lot has changed since those early days, but in essence, the heart of the hobby community has remained pretty much the same.Â
HUGE congrats going out to Phoenix Sports Cards this week on their Brock Purdy pull! Joe pulled a one-of-four autographed Purdy rookie card live on CSL Â
 Read more here →
Quick Hits
Hobby News- In case you missed it, the Card Shop Live app hosted the mother of all breaks last week. Gio Breaks vs. Celebrities and Cardbreaks is the early frontrunner for breaking battle of the year, with each breaking 10 cases of 2022 Bowman Chrome Draft in a PYT format. The break saw some monster hits and fantastic giveaways, but ultimately it looks like Celebrities and Cardbreaks won the day. Then again, with Bowman products, it might take a few years to crown the winner.
Vintage- If I had an extra $600,000 lying around I can tell you one thing — I’d be the very proud owner of 1953 Topps baseball set, with every card but two graded PSA 8 or higher. The Mantle and Mays are PSA 7s, but who cares, right? That’s still amazing. The set, which is the fourth-best currently active set on PSA’s registry, is up for auction Heritage next month and is expected to fetch somewhere in the neighborhood $600k!Â
Pop Culture News- Decision 2022 Midterm Madness launches next week to give everyone some more politics in their hobby. I’m not sure that’s what the market was after, but these are at least creative even if some of them could ruin family gatherings or internet threads. If you need more politics, this might be for you.
Hobby News- Bowman Chrome University Football is about to be released and it marks the second year in a row the Bowman brand has hit the gridiron. Last year’s set was one of the more fun products even if collectors haven’t caught on yet. The big question though is who is on the checklist. With a few splashy inclusions (Arch Manning), this release could go from an afterthought to a must-have.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.