Rip- kobe bryant

[Shoeless Moe]

Yep, noticed several Buy It Now items with "Revisions" and when you click its the Price that is being revised.

Same thing though happened with Halladay and Jose Fernandez.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Yep, noticed several Buy It Now items with "Revisions" and when you click its the Price that is being revised.

Same thing though happened with Halladay and Jose Fernandez.

The cards I posted above are the forged/counterfeit version of that card.

These are disgusting people.

[CMIZ5290]

It sure as Hell didn't take long for the vultures to circle.... The three best players I have ever seen that can score at will.... Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Pete Maravich....There you have it

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

It sure as Hell didn't take long for the vultures to circle.... The three best players I have ever seen that can score at will.... Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Pete Maravich....There you have it

Kevin, if you were to ask 100 current NBA fans who Pete Maravich was, how many of them do you think would even recognize his name? Beyond simple name recognition, how many would know what he did in the NBA, or how thoroughly he dominated in the NCAA?

One of the reasons I love Net54-one of many-is that there's a real knowledge of, and appreciation for the histories of the games behind the cards. Not everyone that collects vintage and pre-WWII baseball cards loves today's game. And, I can't say I'd blame them if they couldn't get into Major League Baseball as it exists in he year 2020, after multiple strikes, ridiculous player salaries, the scandals (steroids, sign stealing), etc. But these collectors can talk about the golden era at great length.

I'm somewhere in between. I still enjoy today's game quite a bit, but it doesn't resonate with me quite as much as it used to. I'm going to subscribe to MLB Extra Innings for the first time in four years, and see if I can't rediscover the passion for the modern game.

Regardless of the level of affinity our members feel for the games as they're played today, they know the past very well. I can come here and start talking about Maravich, Jerry West, or John Havlicek, and people are going to have rich memories of seeing these guys in person. When I go to a post by the NBA on Facebook, something about the current New York Knicks, for example, and the "die hard, lifelong Knicks fans" don't know who Willis Reed is, I want to shoot myself in the head. Earl "the Pearl" Monroe, Walt Frazier..."oh, I've heard of them."

It's as if the game, and the team didn't exist before Patrick Ewing. So many "fans" just dismiss any era that happened before they were born.

There are precious few places left where I can intelligently discuss the past. Net54 allows me to indulge my love of collectibles and sports history. Leon provides us with the virtual sports bar. It's all of you that make the conversation stimulating.

[the 'stache]

Regarding Kobe, he's simply one of the most dynamic players I've ever seen, and not just in basketball. I remember how good he was at such a young age. It was frightening, really. You saw glimpses of what he'd become even in that first year of 1996-'97. He wasn't playing a lot of minutes, but he did...things...that just made my jaw drop. And 17.6 points per 36 minutes at age 18 is impressive as heck. His explosiveness was absurd. He was so smooth. I think most of us that saw him from the start would say that he exceeded even our wildest expectations.

Remember back when Shaq left the Lakers, how so many chalked his Kobe's rings to Shaq's presence? He won two more without O'Neal. He was great in his own right, and that whole narrative seems downright silly now.

While I can't forget what he was accused of (and I won't talk about it here, as it's inappropriate), I think Kobe genuinely did a lot of good. A hell of a lot. I read about what he did to help the homeless in Los Angeles. The philanthropic foundation he set up with his wife Vanessa. I learned how Kobe would travel back and forth to China to help kids with their education, and encouraged those kids to learn the benefits of teamwork on the court as a metaphor for life. The Kobe Bryant China Fund, and his efforts to promote Chinese culture in America. By all accounts, he was a fantastic father. He mentored countless players coming into the league.

He used helicopters with great frequency as doing so allowed him to spend more time with his girls. That he and his daughter Gianna (and the seven others on board) died en route to one of her basketball games is just...let's just say the universe can sometimes be very cruel.

When he's inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, I don't think there will be a dry eye in the place, or among those watching from home, myself included.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Regarding Kobe, he's simply one of the most dynamic players I've ever seen, and not just in basketball. I remember how good he was at such a young age. It was frightening, really. You saw glimpses of what he'd become even in that first year of 1996-'97. He wasn't playing a lot of minutes, but he did...things...that just made my jaw drop. And 17.6 points per 36 minutes at age 18 is impressive as heck. His explosiveness was absurd. He was so smooth. I think most of us that saw him from the start would say that he exceeded even our wildest expectations.

Remember back when Shaq left the Lakers, how so many chalked his Kobe's rings to Shaq's presence? He won two more without O'Neal. He was great in his own right, and that whole narrative seems downright silly now.

While I can't forget what he was accused of (and I won't talk about it here, as it's inappropriate), I think Kobe genuinely did a lot of good. A hell of a lot. I read about what he did to help the homeless in Los Angeles. The philanthropic foundation he set up with his wife Vanessa. I learned how Kobe would travel back and forth to China to help kids with their education, and encouraged those kids to learn the benefits of teamwork on the court as a metaphor for life. The Kobe Bryant China Fund, and his efforts to promote Chinese culture in America. By all accounts, he was a fantastic father. He mentored countless players coming into the league.

He used helicopters with great frequency as doing so allowed him to spend more time with his girls. That he and his daughter Gianna (and the seven others on board) died en route to one of her basketball games is just...let's just say the universe can sometimes be very cruel.

When he's inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, I don't think there will be a dry eye in the place, or among those watching from home, myself included.

I dont think you can can just gloss over what he was accused of in the context of everyone saying he was a great husband...and its a bit of a disservice to the victim that he apologized too especially in this Me too age..

however he did appear to take a lot of of positive steps and was on the way for bigger and better things... basketball wise people forget about the issue of high school to NBA..i think jermaine o'neal also came out that year as well....

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I dont think you can can just gloss over what he was accused of in the context of everyone saying he was a great husband...and its a bit of a disservice to the victim that he apologized too especially in this Me too age..

however he did appear to take a lot of of positive steps and was on the way for bigger and better things... basketball wise people forget about the issue of high school to NBA..i think jermaine o'neal also came out that year as well....

Who was glossing over what he did? I certainly wasn't. I merely stated that I wasn't going to talk about it here. I don't believe in badmouthing the dead. Everybody knows what he was accused of. This isn't the time or place to drag it up.

And I didn't say he was a great husband. I said he was a great father. Others may have, but please don't include me with them.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I dont think you can can just gloss over what he was accused of in the context of everyone saying he was a great husband...and its a bit of a disservice to the victim that he apologized too especially in this Me too age..

however he did appear to take a lot of of positive steps and was on the way for bigger and better things... basketball wise people forget about the issue of high school to NBA..i think jermaine o'neal also came out that year as well....

Leave it to you to bring up something like this during a very tragic event....

[PowderedH2O]

Bill, ironic that you should post this today. I am a high school teacher. We just started the new semester less than a week ago, so I am just getting to know the students. In my 4th period class I ended up having a 15 minute discussion with two 16 year old boys that had completed their work. It was on basketball history. They knew all about Maravich, Wilt, Oscar, etc. I was very impressed. Now, do they know that next level of star? I have no idea. I have so many memories, like going to my first NBA game as a kid and watching Bob Love torch the New Orleans Jazz.

I went to Pete's camp as a kid and still have the camp photo with all of us signed by him. He would show us trick shots and it was insane. Just like Kobe's passing, I was just devastated when he died at 40 years old.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

I went to Pete's camp as a kid and still have the camp photo with all of us signed by him. He would show us trick shots and it was insane. Just like Kobe's passing, I was just devastated when he died at 40 years old.

Was this at the Kutsher's (Borsch Belt) resort in upstate New York?? Or were there other Pistol Pete camps? My brothers, friends and I went a couple of years in a row and my Dad was one of the (non-NBA player) instructors.

[MULLINS5]

Can't blame people for raising their prices when most are buying low to flip. Those are the worthless losers.

[PowderedH2O]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Was this at the Kutsher's (Borsch Belt) resort in upstate New York?? Or were there other Pistol Pete camps? My brothers, friends and I went a couple of years in a row and my Dad was one of the (non-NBA player) instructors.

1976 at the University of New Orleans campus. Sponsored by Pepsi. All the Pepsi you could drink. I was a kid. I probably drank six a day.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

Bill, ironic that you should post this today. I am a high school teacher. We just started the new semester less than a week ago, so I am just getting to know the students. In my 4th period class I ended up having a 15 minute discussion with two 16 year old boys that had completed their work. It was on basketball history. They knew all about Maravich, Wilt, Oscar, etc. I was very impressed. Now, do they know that next level of star? I have no idea. I have so many memories, like going to my first NBA game as a kid and watching Bob Love torch the New Orleans Jazz.

I went to Pete's camp as a kid and still have the camp photo with all of us signed by him. He would show us trick shots and it was insane. Just like Kobe's passing, I was just devastated when he died at 40 years old.

Color me pleasantly surprised about their knowledge. That's great to hear, and very encouraging.

I'm sitting here watching some Pistol Pete highlights on YouTube. He had remarkable court vision, didn't he? He just instinctively knew where everyone was, all the time. Some of his passes just made the guys on the other team look foolish, and these were the best in the world. It's as if the ball just did his bidding. Underhanded, full court pass? No problem. Behind the back pass....to himself, followed by a no look, between the legs pass? Pfft, you can't do that? And he had remarkable hang time. He could jump, and delay the ball release, so whoever was defending him had already committed. This one video I watched showed him at the All Star game making these crazy passes to Dr. J. My God, lol. I just wish his career hadn't been wasted on so many bad teams. He was traded to the Celtics for part of his final year. Of course, the year after he retires, Boston wins the NBA Championship.

My earliest NBA memories came at the old Mecca Arena in Milwaukee. The Bucks were real good, back then, but not Lew Alcindor and Oscar Robertson good. I was born about five months after the Bucks won the NBA Championship. I'm still waiting for our next one. I've never seen a parade down Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. I hope the Bucks can do it this year.

I grew up watching Marques Johnson at first. He was a pretty good player, coming from John Wooden's UCLA dynasty. Then, it was Sidney Moncrief, Terry Cummings, Jack Sikma. Lots of talent on that team, and Don Nelson was our Head Coach. Between the 1979-'80 season, and the 1986-'87 season, the Bucks averaged 54 wins a season. It was our misfortune that the Bucks were in a stacked Eastern Conference. Back then, first it was Dr. J and the Sixers ending our seasons in the playoffs. Then, it was Larry Bird and the Celtics. And before long, "oh, look, here comes the Bulls with this kid from UNC named Jordan." It just never let up.

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Yep, noticed several Buy It Now items with "Revisions" and when you click its the Price that is being revised.

Same thing though happened with Halladay and Jose Fernandez.

I was paying attention to the signed books.. One seller changed his 2 book listings from $190 to $750 to $1,000. One sold at $750 and another sold for $1,000. Then another one popped up for $1,000 and $1,500, so curious if he cancelled the $750 sale to make more profit.

Another seller had multiple books for sale and ended them. 10 minutes later relisted them with $750 prices.

I understand these people own these items and have every right to sell them. Just think its messed up to profit from someones death so quick when their body is still warm. That just seems wrong, at least give it a week or 2.

[Touch'EmAll]

Omg, can hardly believe it! Feel awful, Kobe and daughter and others.

[Exhibitman]

[Fred]

Sad, it looks like one of his daughters was also lost in the accident. I understand using a helicopter as a mode of transportation if you can afford it, but if what the news is saying about the destination (going from Calabasas to Thousand Oaks - about 15 miles by road), then I just don't get it. Why take a chopper if it's only going to save a very little bit of time. I get it if it was about 50 miles and you're Kobe Bryant (and you can afford it), but about 15 miles by road - why take the risk? Totally sad.

[h2oya311]

I don’t know this for a fact, but I would guess that driving in LA is more dangerous than flying a helicopter.

Also,15 miles can take a boatload of time in LA. But on a Sunday, perhaps not.

[Rich Klein]

1) I penned a column when Tyler Skaggs passed. I do realize the differences in their careers but many of the points are the same.

https://gogts.net/kleins-korner-how-...-in-the-hobby/

2) What a wonderful tribute (among many) in tonight's Knicks game:

https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/...660416/video/1

Regards
Rich

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Fred

Sad, it looks like one of his daughters was also lost in the accident. I understand using a helicopter as a mode of transportation if you can afford it, but if what the news is saying about the destination (going from Calabasas to Thousand Oaks - about 15 miles by road), then I just don't get it. Why take a chopper if it's only going to save a very little bit of time. I get it if it was about 50 miles and you're Kobe Bryant (and you can afford it), but about 15 miles by road - why take the risk? Totally sad.

He lives in Newport Beach. It is about 90 miles to his Sports Academy. The helicopter crashed in Calabasas. He also has issues with riding in a car for long periods of time and has taken a helicopter to games for much of his career.