NBA Rookie Cardboard Rankings: February
Due to the shear amount of cards each rookie has these days, it's often hard to see the big picture through a hot list, as top tier players tend to cloak lesser rookies. Our "Rookie Cardboard Rankings" was created to give collectors a deeper glimpse of the hobby's rookie landscape.
Clippers "NBA Jam-ster" Blake Griffin and Wizards point man John Wall have all but locked up the top two spots in the RCR for the 2010-11 NBA season. It would take nothing short of a major miracle for either to lose their hobby front runner status.
The #3 spot may finally have a permanent fixture in 20-year old Kings tower of power DeMarcus Cousins, whose averaging 17.2 ppg, 9 rpg and 2.2 apg over his last 10 games. Cousins stands zero chance of passing Griffin and Wall in the hobby, but that doesn't mean his cards don't have plenty of room to grow.
Like Cousins, Pacers Forward Paul George (11.4 ppg) and Pistons Center Greg Monroe (11.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg) have also shown a great deal of improvement over their last 10 games.
On the flip side, Evan Turner, the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, continues to fall short of expectations and up to this point has been one of the biggest disappointments in the basketball card world. The big question is who will be the next rookie to pass Turner?
2010-11 Limited, 2010-11 Timeless Treasures and 2010-11 Threads continue to deliver the top chase cards featuring the 2010-11 rookie class. Below are six such cards that routinely top eBay single card sales.
- 2010-11 Limited Phenoms Patch Autographs
- 2010-11 Limited Next Day Autographs
- 2010-11 Limited Jumbo Jersey Patches and Patch Autos
- 2010-11 Timeless Treasures Rookie Autographs
- 2010-11 Timeless Treasures NBA Apprentice Patch Autographs
- 2010-11 Threads Team Threads Autographs (mini-jersey autos)
The odd-ball Team Threads Autos from 2010-11 Threads Basketball (jersey shaped die-cut autos) continue to capture the curiosity of collectors despite the product's overall luke warm reception. Timeless Treasures' NBA Apprentice Logoman and Laundry Tag autographs are the top selling chase cards overall, with each going for a king's ransom on eBay.
- Blake Griffin, Clippers PF
- John Wall, Wizards PG
- DeMarcus Cousins, Kings F/C
Evan Turner, 76ers G/F- Derrick Favors, Nets F
- Eric Bledsoe, Clippers PG
- Paul George, Pacers F
- Ed Davis, Raptors F
- Wesley Johnson, Timberwolves G/F
- Landry Fields, Knicks G
- Al-Farouq Aminu, Clippers F
- James Anderson, Spurs G
- Ekpe Udoh, Warriors F
- Gordon Hayward, Jazz F
- Patrick Patterson, Rockets F
- Jordan Crawford, Hawks G
- Luke Harangody, Celtics F
- Larry Sanders, Bucks F/C
- Dominique Jones, Mavericks G
- Craig Brackins, Hornets F
- Cole Aldrich, Thunder C
- Trevor Booker, Wizards F
- Avery Bradley, Celtics G
- Timofey Mozgov, Knicks C
- Xavier Henry, Grizzlies G
- Daniel Orton, Orlando Magic C
- Kevin Seraphin, Wizards F
- Quincy Pondexter, Hornets F
- Devin Ebanks, Lakers F
- Manny Harris, Cavs G
Greivis Vasquez, Jeremy Evans, DaSean Butler, Terrico White, Elliot Williams, Luke Babbitt, Damion James, Jeremy Lin, Derrick Caracter, Willie Warren, Sherron Collins, Armon Johnson, Lazar Hayward,
-Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard Manny Harris (Michigan alum) recently made his basketball card debut in 2010 Upper Deck World of Sports.
-Keep on eye on the Detroit dunkster Terrico White, who is expected to return from injury soon to make his NBA debut.
-Cole Aldrich, the 11th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft was recently recalled from the D-League by the Thunder.
-Five players from the 2009-10 Kentucky Wildcats made February's RCR: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson and Daniel Orton.
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