I was at the 2010 National Sports Collector’s Convention in Baltimore, Maryland this summer and spent a little bit of time looking at the cool stuff for sale.  While I didn’t buy much of anything (I left with two Trevor Bauer Blue Refractors from a friend), I did hear that ESPN‘s Bill Simmons was at the show doing a segment.

Well, here it is, in all it’s very late glory.  I heard it aired last night on E:60 but finally saw it was posted online as well.  Enjoy the wacky and sometimes completely awesome world of sports cards and memorabilia.

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In a perfect world, Panini would have made the 2009-10 Panini Hall Of Fame USA Dream Team Autograph set complete with a certain somebody as the headliner.  Unfortunately, Michael Jordan is still locked up by Upper Deck exclusively, even though they do not have the NBA license for cards anymore.

Thanks to a friend on FreedomCardBoard.com, we get to see what could have been.  Here is the Michael Jordan Dream Team Autograph, in all it’s faux-beauty.

What would it sell for, say serial #’d /23…. $1000? $2000?

Sigh, we’ll never know.

When you play for a team comprised of the best young talent in the NBA, including arguably the top two players under 24-years-old, it’s easy to get overlooked.  The attention is rarely focused on you and you take a backseat as a role player for the tournament.  Eric Gordon could have easily sat back and rested on his teammates amazing play, but instead he embraced his role.  With what started out as a bench spot, quickly turned into a lesson in leadership, growth, and a starting role when it counted the most.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon walked off with more than his first gold medal — and the first for USA Basketball in the world championships since 1994 — this month.

“I think I’ll be able to bring more leadership (to the Clippers). I tried to get better playing with guys who are better players,” Gordon says. “You have to learn off that vibe.”

From the beginning of the tournament to the end, Gordon turned on his sweet stroke and scored when the team needed a spark.  He also provided a defensive force off the bench, helping with the team USA domination.

Gordon scored a team-high 16 points in the opening win against Croatia, knocking down six of eight field goal attempts, including four three-pointers. He had a game-high 21 points (7-for-10 from the floor, four three-pointers) in a win vs. Tunisia and 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting vs. Angola.

As a result, Eric Gordon cards have been heating up over the last month or so.  His Upper Deck Exquisite Patch/Auto has jumped from $60 to over $110 per copy.  His other Autographed RC’s have also seen some action like UD Premier, and Sp Authentic (wow!).  His Upper Deck Exquisite patch/auto inserts have also been selling well, like these beauties below.

Throwback Logo Patch/Auto #’d /25

Limited Logos Patch/Auto #’d /25

Not only did his teammates in Team USA have faith in him, but he got rave reviews from his toughest critic, coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“He has been consistently excellent and the guys, I know, have great confidence in him as does the staff. He probably had the hardest road to being selected for this team. He didn’t get as much playing time early and then whenever he came in, he did something really good. He’s been terrific.”

It should be fun to watch Eric Gordon play alongside a healthy Blake Griffin (Finally!) in Los Angeles for the 2010-11 season, as they look to turn the franchise around.  Expect his cards to continue to rise as he becomes one of the top young guards in the league.

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When Upper Deck officially announced they lost their NBA license, there was a collective gasp amongst collectors.  What will happen to the Exquisite brand?  Will anyone put out a set worthy enough to take it’s place?

Enter Panini 2009-10 National Treasures.

This set was the cream of the Panini product crop for 2009 when they took over the NBA license.  The packs featured high prices out of the gate but the returns were something of shocking beauty.  Patch Autographs with big swatches, multiple breaks & colors, and on-card autographs.

Stephen Curry was a part of the young & talented FIBA gold medal team, even though he was more of a role player.  The stats were not much of a concern to fans and collectors, but rather the experience to take him into this coming season and beyond.  After making a name for himself at Davidson during the Final Four tournament, Curry bucked the naysayers and performed in his rookie year.  Averaging 17 pts per game as a rookie, showing the shooting skills of his father Dell Curry, while also finishing 2nd in ROY voting.

His National Treasures Patch/Auto /99 has seen some incredible gains during the tournament.  Starting out at a shade under $500, they recently skyrocketed to $750+ within a two week span!   Should he continue to build on his rookie season and bring Golden State to the playoffs, that’s easily a $1,000 card.

Give u your thoughts on the product and Curry’s potential.

Do you think it has more room to grow with UD Exquisite out of the picture?  Can he lead the Warriors to the playoffs?