In this special NBA-focused episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Joe dives deep into the relationship between championship success and sports card value—and why winning matters more than ever in the hobby.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrating their first-ever NBA title and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etching his name in history as both league and Finals MVP, Joe explores how playoff performance can instantly shift the landscape of player popularity and card prices.

From Cooper Flagg’s #1 overall pick to a nostalgic rewatch of The Last Dance, Joe unpacks the synergy of recent NBA events and timeless collecting wisdom. He compares legends like Bill Russell (11 rings) to modern-day greats like LeBron, Curry, and Shaq, and reveals three undervalued champions whose cards might be hobby goldmines—Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwyane Wade.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A collector’s lens on why rings elevate card value across sports

• Insights into NBA history’s most decorated champions

• Market predictions for rising stars and overlooked legends

• Sharp advice on what to consider before your next big card investment

Whether you're a collector, investor, or basketball junkie, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the power of winning—and how to spot your next card market breakout.

Share your thoughts with Joe by emailing heyjoedavis@gmail.com. Episode sponsored by GotBaseballCards – Consign now for The National!

In this nostalgic and knowledge-packed episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, host Joe Davis returns to the mic with a countdown that’s sure to stir up opinions: the Top 10 Baseball Rookie Cards of the 1970s. From iconic Hall of Famers to underrated gems, Joe reveals which cards made the cut—not just based on value, but on impact, collectability, and long-term hobby relevance.

You’ll hear about the standout careers that shaped the decade, why certain beloved players just missed the top 10 (including a personal favorite), and what sets cards like the 1973 Mike Schmidt and 1975 George Brett apart. Joe also shares cautionary advice for modern collectors chasing today’s prospects, offering timeless insight on why vintage still holds powerful value.

Whether you’re a longtime collector or new to the hobby, this episode delivers sharp takes, hobby history, and plenty of heart.

Tune in and discover which rookie cards from the '70s deserve a place in your collection—and why smart collecting always starts with perspective.

In this special episode of Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe, Taylor steps in for Joe and takes listeners on a thoughtful, nostalgic, and slightly quirky deep dive into one central question: Why do we collect?

Taylor reflects on his own collecting journey, beginning at age five with Topps baseball cards from his grandparents after Little League games. His childhood idol, Chipper Jones (specifically “baby-faced Chipper”), becomes the symbolic heart of his collection, and this nostalgia fuels a broader conversation about the psychology and emotional depth behind why we collect the things we do.

The episode explores:

• The psychology of collecting

• Historical examples of collecting

• The emotional power of nostalgia

• The real reason most collectors stay in the hobby

Taylor also challenges listeners to ask deeper questions—not just what someone collects, but why. Whether it’s baby-faced Chipper, Pez dispensers, or Squishmallows, every collection tells a story.