Hoops Collectors: Basketball &amp; Sports Cards Podcast

Aug 27, 2026 50 min

Ranking Every Year of Prizm Basketball Cards (2012-2024)

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards ranks every year of Prizm Basketball cards from 2012 to 2024, covering all 13 years of Panini’s most iconic sports card brand.

From the 2012 Prizm Basketball debut to 2024's final release, he breaks down every set, ranking each year based on design, rookie class, top sales, key cards, and overall importance to the basketball card hobby.

Players covered include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson, and other NBA stars who've shaped the Prizm market through the years.

Whether you're actively collecting Panini Prizm basketball cards or looking to get started, there's something in this episode for everyone.

Leave a rating if you enjoyed the episode and thanks for tuning in!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:46 Prizm Basketball Rankings
46:36 Weekly Alley-Oop

Social links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectors
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectors
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Aug 21, 2026 48 min

Why I Haven't Been Buying A Ton of Basketball Cards Recently...

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards explains why he's been buying fewer basketball cards lately and why he believes today's basketball card market feels eerily similar to the 2021–22 COVID-era bubble’s peak.

He also shares what he's been collecting instead, including pop culture, entertainment, and vintage historical cards, and why those areas offer a compelling opportunity.

Finally, Max discusses the role of Topps in expanding the pop culture card market by bringing more major entertainment IP to the hobby.

Leave a rating if you enjoyed the episode and thanks for tuning in!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:24 The National
02:43 Recent NBA Pickups
03:37 Current Market Analysis
07:17 Crazy Sales
12:37 Collecting Opportunity
26:29 Topps Role in Pop Culture Market
28:20 Weekly Alley-Oop

Social links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectors
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectors
X: https://x.com/hoopscollectors

Aug 7, 2026 29 min

Dissecting Brand Popularity: Why Basketball Card Products Are Similar to Movies

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards breaks down what makes sports card brands popular (or not) — from iconic products like Topps Chrome, Panini Prizm, Exquisite, and Flawless to the factors that drive collector demand over time.

He explores the psychology behind card brand popularity, discusses why certain product lines become hobby staples, and explains why sports card brands have more in common with Hollywood movies than you might think.

From blockbuster films like The Odyssey to cult classics, the same framework behind box office success can also shape the sports card market.

Plus, a new pickup is revealed at the end of the episode.

Leave a rating if you enjoyed the episode and thanks for tuning in!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
05:28 Differences in Brand Values
09:01 1st Aspect of Brand Popularity
15:24 2nd Aspect of Brand Popularity
21:44 Comparing Card Brands to Movies
28:33 New Pickup
30:16 Weekly Alley-Oop: Court Kings

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Jul 23, 2026 31 min

How to Estimate Sports Card Print Runs w/ @CardChannel | New Platform Announcement

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards is joined by Paul from @CardChannel to explore the math and science behind estimating sports card print runs.

Paul explains the methodology he uses to estimate the supply of modern sports cards, why understanding print runs can completely change the way collectors think about rarity, and how this data can help collectors make more informed buying decisions.

The conversation also dives into Paul's journey building Card Channel, the most surprising print run discoveries he's uncovered in the basketball card market, and why his research has influenced the cards he collects today. Paul shares several Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal cards from his personal collection and explains why he likes them.

Lastly, Paul announces the upcoming Card Channel analytics platform, shares what collectors can expect from the new tool, and explains how you can be one of the first 50 people to receive early access.

Leave a rating if you enjoyed the episode and thanks for tuning in!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:50 How Did Card Channel Start?
05:45 The Math Behind Finding Print Runs
13:05 Modern Case Hits Perspective
18:01 Most Interesting Discoveries
21:31 New Card Channel Platform
26:40 How To Get First Access
32:45 What Does Card Channel Collect?
39:15 Weekly Alley-Oop

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Jul 8, 2026 40 min

The Most Overvalued & Undervalued Basketball Cards Right Now w/ Brent Weyer @DeepValueInvestor

Show notes

In this episode, Max @PutnamCards is joined by Brent Weyer @DeepValueInvestor to break down the most overvalued and undervalued areas of the basketball card market today. They explore the market forces and collector psychology that drive prices, creating both opportunities and risks for collectors.

The conversation dives into the concept of front-loaded risk and why so many of the hobby's most hyped players face incredibly high expectations that are difficult to live up to. They also discuss how narratives, recency bias, fear of missing out, and investor behavior can lead to mispriced cards—and how collectors can recognize those situations before the market catches on.

Along the way, Max and Brent touch on a handful of the worst public sales from 2026 to illustrate these ideas in action before wrapping up the episode by sharing some of their favorite recent pickups and the thinking behind each one.

Chapters:

00:00 Episode Introduction

02:59 Most Overvalued

12:14 Most Undervalued
29:31 Worst Buys of 2026 So Far
36:50 Favorite Recent Pickups

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening and thanks for tuning in!

Selling cards? Sign up with The Wharf Sports Cards and use promo code HOOPS95 to get 95% of the final sale price on any cards submitted in your first consignment here: https://wharfsportscards.com/r/HOOPS95

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Jul 1, 2026 52 min

The Ultimate Guide to 2008-09 Basketball Cards | Every Topps & Upper Deck Release

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards takes a full deep dive into every 2008-09 basketball card release from Topps and Upper Deck, breaking down the underrated sets, hidden gems, and insane grails.

The 2008-09 season is especially significant in hobby history. It’s the rookie year of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, and it also serves as the final year before Panini took over the exclusive NBA trading card license, making it a true end of an era for Topps and Upper Deck basketball releases.

Across the episode, Max highlights the best cards, most important parallels, and under-the-radar finds from each product, with a heavy focus on some of the biggest names in the hobby, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.

Some of the key products covered include Topps Chrome, Upper Deck Exquisite, and Bowman Basketball.

Chapters:

00:00 Episode Introduction

05:28 Breakdown of 2008-09 Releases

37:47 Weekly Alley-Oop

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening and thanks for tuning in!

Selling cards? Sign up with The Wharf Sports Cards and use promo code HOOPS95 to get 95% of the final sale price on any cards submitted in your first consignment here: https://wharfsportscards.com/r/HOOPS95

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Jun 26, 2026 39 min

Top 3 Basketball Card Market Hot Takes After the NBA Finals

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards shares three basketball card market hot takes post-NBA Finals, including what the New York Knicks’ championship means for Jalen Brunson cards, whether the Knicks winning is actually good for the hobby, and how the NBA’s era of parity is impacting basketball card collecting and long-term market growth.

He also discusses upcoming 2025-26 Topps basketball releases, specifically the new Minions SSP cards coming to Topps Chrome Update this summer.

Chapters:

00:00 Episode Introduction

03:44 Hot Take 1

08:53 Hot Take 2

15:52 Hot Take 3

22:11 Weekly Alley-Oop: NBA Finals or Championship Cards

Leave a rating if you enjoyed watching and thanks for tuning in!

Selling cards? Sign up with The Wharf Sports Cards and use promo code HOOPS95 to get 95% of the final sale price on any cards submitted in your first consignment here: https://wharfsportscards.com/r/HOOPS95

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Jun 19, 2026 23 min

What Basketball Cards Will Today's 15-Year-Olds Want When They Grow Up?

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards explores how the next generation of basketball card collectors—those growing up during the later years of Panini and the beginning of the Fanatics era—could shape the future of the hobby.

Will players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry become even more desirable as today’s young collectors enter their peak earning years? Will Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant remain hobby icons?

He also discusses the different eras of basketball cards, what card categories could become future grails, and why modern concepts like Kabooms, case-hit inserts, cartoon-inspired cards, and game-dated memorabilia cards may have a bright future ahead.

Chapters:
00:00 Episode Introduction
00:50 NBA Finals Talk
03:00 The Dirk Nowitzki Story
05:40 Different Generations of Basketball Cards
09:02 Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant
10:28 Collecting in the Early Panini Era
14:53 What Do I Want to Collect the Most?
16:50 ‘90s Cards
19:36 Early Panini & Fanatics Era Grails
20:41 Game-Dated Memorabilia Cards
22:09 Most Popular Recent Players
25:52 Who’s Next Up?
27:52 Weekly Alley-Oop: Nostalgia

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening and thanks for tuning in!

Social links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectorsX: https://x.com/hoopscollectors

Jun 12, 2026 29 min

3 Big Warning Signs in the Basketball Card Market Right Now

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards breaks down three big reasons why he's becoming increasingly cautious in the basketball card market right now—and how he's approaching collecting in today's rapidly rising sports card market.

He discusses the market's explosive growth, the PSA Value Service pause and its potential ripple effects, as well as some notable trends and behaviors he's observed at recent card shows.

He also discusses the NBA Playoffs, Victor Wembanyama cards, Topps case hits, and introduces his new $1,000 LeBron James PC Challenge.

Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction
01:00 NBA Finals Talk
01:54 What Does Being Cautious Mean?
03:24 The Sports Card Market is Going Parabolic
08:35 Crazy Recent Sales

11:16 PSA Value Tier Pause

16:15 Card Show Behavior
18:43 The $1,000 LeBron PC Challenge
22:34 Weekly Alley-Oop

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening — and thanks for tuning in!

Social links
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectorsTiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectorsTwitter/X:https://x.com/hoopscollectors

Jun 4, 2026 24 min

What Do We Value Most in Sports Cards? | $5.11M Wemby Prizm 1/1 Sale w/ Brett McGrath @StackingSlabs

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards is joined by Brett McGrath @StackingSlabs to answer one of the biggest questions in the hobby: what actually drives value in sports card collecting? What do we value most? Is it rarity? Player greatness? Brand power? Nostalgia? Status? Investment Potential?
We break down the record-setting $5.11M sale of Victor Wembanyama’s 2023-24 Panini Prizm Black 1/1 PSA 10 and discuss what this historic sale says about the modern sports card market and the Panini Prizm era.
We also discuss the current state of 1/1s, finding opportunities as collectors, and Brett’s Indiana Pacers collection and collecting philosophy.
Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction
03:46 $5.11M Wemby Prizm Sale Analysis
15:00 NBA Talk (Knicks, Pacers, Zubac Trade)
22:03 What Do We Value Most in Sports Cards?
40:12 Rapid Fire Questions

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening — and thanks for tuning in!

Social links
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectorsTiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectorsTwitter/X:https://x.com/hoopscollectors

May 27, 2026 50 min

5 Areas of Opportunity in the Basketball Card Market Right Now

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards breaks down 5 areas of the hobby that present interesting opportunities for collectors right now — spanning multiple eras of basketball cards, from ‘90s inserts to the newest 2025-26 Topps releases.
We’re talking legendary players, overlooked cards, shifting market trends, and a few things that could surprise a lot of collectors. Featuring cards of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Stephen Curry — some of the greatest NBA players and biggest hobby icons of all time.
If you enjoy basketball card market analysis, hobby deep dives, underrated cards, and sports card conversations focused on the long-term landscape of the hobby, this one’s for you.
Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction
00:52 NBA Playoffs Talk
02:44 Opportunity #1
08:51 Opportunity #2
14:51 Opportunity #3
19:07 Opportunity #4
21:28 Opportunity #5
26:24 The Weekly Alley-Oop

Leave a rating if you enjoyed listening — and thanks for tuning in!

Social links
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectorsTiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectorsTwitter/X:https://x.com/hoopscollectors

May 22, 2026 28 min

The Most Intriguing 2018-19 Panini Basketball Cards Part 2 | Luka, SGA, Brunson Rookies

Show notes

In Part 2 of this deep dive series, Max @PutnamCards breaks down the most intriguing sets, parallels, rookie cards, and sales from the second half of 2018-19 Panini Basketball products.
This is the rookie year of NBA superstars Luka Dončić, SGA, and Jalen Brunson.

2018-19 was also LeBron James’ first season with the Lakers, Kawhi Leonard’s only season with the Raptors, and the start of back-to-back Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP seasons.

This episode covers National Treasures, Court Kings, Flawless, Immaculate, and many other products.
Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction

02:00 Beckett New Label

03:50 Status
06:50 Court Kings

11:05 Threads

11:58 National Treasures

15:35 Mosaic
16:39 Spectra

19:03 Noir
22:24 Chronicles

25:42 Encased
26:53 Opulence
28:31 Obsidian
30:23 Flawless
32:10 Immaculate
33:50 Weekly Alley-Oop
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Social links

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectors

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectors

Twitter/X:https://x.com/hoopscollectors

May 14, 2026 35 min

The Most Intriguing 2018-19 Panini Basketball Cards Part 1 | Luka, SGA, Brunson Rookies

Show notes

In Part 1 of this deep dive series, Max @PutnamCards breaks down the best and most underrated cards from 2018-19 Panini Basketball products — the legendary rookie year of Luka Dončić, SGA, and Jalen Brunson.

This was also LeBron James’ first season with the Lakers, Kawhi Leonard’s only season with the Raptors, and the start of back-to-back Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA MVP seasons.

This Part 1 episode covers Prizm, Donruss Optic, Select, Contenders, and more — highlighting key cards such as Kabooms, Downtowns, Galactics, and Cracked Ice Rookie Tickets.

Chapters
00:00 Episode Introduction
01:02 Toronto Sports Card Expo
01:21 NBA Playoff Talk
02:51 2018-19 Panini Deep Dive Notes
06:29 Hoops
08:32 Donruss & Donruss Optic
10:46 Certified
12:46 Prizm
15:24 Absolute Memorabilia
16:44 Revolution
20:06 Contenders & Contenders Optic
22:24 Dominion
23:22 Crown Royale & Kabooms
28:32 Impeccable
30:18 Select
32:35 Cornerstones
35:00 The Weekly Alley-Oop

Follow the podcast if you enjoyed listening — and thanks for tuning in!

Social links
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hoopscollectorsTiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscollectorsTwitter/X:https://x.com/hoopscollectors

May 7, 2026 37 min

Shifting Collecting Strategies in a Red Hot Basketball Card Market w/ Kaushik Mohan @TheIronSheek

Show notes

Max @PutnamCards is joined by Kaushik Mohan (@TheIronSheek) to break down how they’re evolving their collecting strategies in today’s red hot basketball card market.

They discuss their growing focus on storytelling, why it matters in sports card collecting, and how it lies at the heart of the hobby.

They also dive into LeBron Panini Logomans, uncover overlooked opportunities in the basketball card market, and the continued influx of new collectors into the hobby.

Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction

02:14 The Detroit Pistons Stink

02:32 Shifting Collecting Strategies

08:50 Importance of Storytelling

14:36 LeBron Logomans

18:29 Thoughts on New Collectors
23:18 Potential Areas of Opportunity
26:27 Sports Card Narratives
27:42 Kaushik’s Favorite New Card
31:22 Rapid Fire Questions

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a rating! Thanks so much for tuning in.

Social links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollectors/