O/T Somebody please explain this one to me.

[the 'stache]

I collected modern cards for a while, mainly pre-rookie and rookie baseball issues with on card certified autos. I loved the Bowman Chromes, and I still have some of them. I did a lot of homework before buying, tracking prospects for months, some for years, with subscriptions to Baseball America as well as other scouting sites that did annual profiles and grades. I subscribed to MLB Extra Innings, and added the ability to watch Minor League games. I made educated investments, and made a very good return. In fact, I've been kicking around the idea of doing it again.

A few of those cards, I wish I still had. So, clearly, I'm not adverse to modern cards. I'm not immune to their charms. Something like the Mike Trout Bowman Chrome on card auto I had will continue to go up in price. That card's value, at least, is understandable. Other players like Clayton Kershaw, Nolan Arenado, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Pete Alonso, maybe even Bryce Harper grows up, and realizes his potential.

That being said, I see cards like this one on Ebay, and I really don't get it.

Before you click on the link below, here's the card.



Ok, I get it. Lebron's having a great year. And now, he's a Laker. The sports media are trying their hardest to make him the NBA MVP. And there's no doubting Lebron's place in NBA history. He's an all-time great. It's a nice card, I suppose. It's been graded by Beckett, and it got a 9.5 with nice subs. It's a 1/1, which I think is the most overhyped bunch of crap to ever hit the hobby. There's no autograph. It's not his rookie card. I don't even know Donruss "Optic" is-probably a $1,000 box of cards that only the super rich buy.

Does this card scream investment potential to any of you? It doesn't to me. Now, check the auction. As of my posting, there are 37 bids, and 3 days, 11 hours to go.

What am I missing? I could think of far better ways to spend that much money on a sports card.