Bam's Big Game, But is he a Buy?

Question, Collectors: How are we feeling about Bam Adebayo’s 83 point game on Tuesday night, specifically from a collectibility standpoint?

As soon as Bam eclipsed Kobe Bryant’s 81 point mark, his cards started flying off eBay’s digital shelves at a heavy premium (his 2017 Prizm Silver RCV was selling for sub-$40 at the start of the month, and now is trading north of $200+).

Where will those prices be in a week?

And what about his game-worn jerseys, signed sneakers and other memorabilia?

My take? Anything tied to the 83 point performance will have a degree of lasting collectibility. Even though NBA Twitter is awash with debate over if the scoring mark should have an asterisk, controversy tends to aid relevancy.

But general Bam stuff, like those now-$200 rookie cards? I expect them to be trading at pre-March 10th prices by the end of the month, especially if Bam goes back to very-good-but-not-megastar levels of play.

So if you are sitting on a bunch of Bam cards, maybe today is a good day to sell. Just one guy’s opinion!

SCD: Panini Lands NWSL Trading Card Deal

Panini has signed a multi-year exclusive trading card deal with the NWSL and NWSLPA, replacing Parkside Collectibles, who had built a strong-but-niche collector base over the past few years. The partnership will include trading cards, digital collectibles, and sticker collections, beginning with Panini Instant releases during the 2026 season. The agreement also includes marketing collaborations and fan activations tied to NWSL teams and players. As the NWSL continues to grow in relevancy, the league will likely benefit from the marketing muscle and distribution pipeline that comes with a Panini deal, though we’ll miss the IYKYK aura that came with collecting Parkside.

SI: Michael Jordan Sports Illustrated Sets Record as Most Expensive Magazine Ever

A PSA 9.6 copy of the Nov. 28, 1983 Sports Illustrated featuring Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins on the cover sold for $229,360 at Goldin, making it the most expensive graded magazine ever sold. Ungraded copies typically sell for $100–$200, but the record price reflects the issue’s condition and Jordan’s enduring collectible demand. And while we didn’t verify this, we’re assuming it also set the mark for the most expensive Sam Perkins memorabilia ever sold (just don’t quote us on it).

ESPN: Pippen's Personal Memorabilia Collection Auctions for $6.2M

Sotheby’s sold 71 items from Scottie Pippen’s personal collection for a total of $6.23M. Highlights included six Tiffany & Co. Larry O’Brien Trophy replicas ($640K) and the jersey Pippen wore during Michael Jordan’s infamous 1997 “Flu Game” ($486K), a record for his memorabilia. Other sales included Larry Bird’s Dream Team jersey ($896K) and Michael Jordan’s 1992 Olympic sneakers ($640K).

The Athletic: Artemi Panarin Switches Jersey Number, Ending Saga with Kings Mascot

After being traded to the Kings, Artemi Panarin briefly wore No. 72, shared with team mascot Bailey the Lion, and he gifted Bailey a Rolex for the arrangement. When No. 10 became available following Corey Perry’s trade to Tampa Bay, Panarin switched back to his longtime number. Bailey is expected to keep the Rolex, which is all for the best given how big the bracelet must be to fit around his lion arms.

Mantel: Why Are So Many Breakers Losing it Online?

A recent wave of livestream meltdowns by card breakers, ranging from on-air rants to destroying cards, has raised questions about the pressures of the hobby’s streaming economy. The incidents highlight concerns around performative content, gambling-like dynamics, and financial stress among breakers. It’s becoming pretty easy to spin up a live streaming account to sell online, and while only a handful of breakers have large audiences, the platforms are packed with hobbyist sellers, not all of them great!