Set Showcase #9: 1996/97 Flair Showcase Basketball Set

The 1996-97 Flair Showcase basketball set is one of my all-time favorites. The front of the card features a dual image design with a refractor feel to it. The player's name, position, team name, and card logo are stamped with gold foil for that high-end feel. On the back of the cards, you'll find full college and NBA career stats... which is something you don't see very often anymore.

The checklist features twelve HOFers... including the "GOAT"... Mr. Michael Jordan. But let's be real. The main reason I picked up this set is because it has the rookie card of Kobe Bryant... who has been stuck in Jordan's shadow since day one.

Other key rookies in the set are Allen Iverson and Ray Allen... both who will be in the Hall of Fame sooner than later.

But card design and player selection aren't the only cool things about this set. This set is surprisingly affordable. I picked this set up off of Ebay for $17 (+ $3 shipping). That's the price of a blaster box from Target.

In fact... there's one on Ebay right now with a starting bid of $8.99 (+ $5.99 shipping). Item #110645495570.

So... here's the set breakdown...

Base Set: 90 cards

Hall of Famers: 13% (12 out of 90)

#23 Michael Jordan

#4 Charles Barkley

#6 David Robinson

#12 John Stockton

#14 Hakeem Olajuwon

#18 Reggie Miller

#22 Clyde Drexler

#27 Scottie Pippen

#28 Karl Malone

#45 Patrick Ewing

#65 Joe Dumars (not pictured)

#81 Dominique Wilkins

Rookies: 12% (11 out of 90)

#31 Kobe Bryant

#3 Allen Iverson

#35 Ray Allen

#8 Kerry Kittles (not pictured)

#11 Stephon Marbury

#26 Antoine Walker

#29 Shareef Abdur-Rahim

#42 Erick Dampier (not pictured)

#49 Marcus Camby

#56 Lorenzen Wright (not pictured)

#68 Vitaly Potapenko (not pictured)

Future Hall of Famers:

#10 Shaquille O'Neal

#15 Jason Kidd

#19 Grant Hill (maybe not... but I love this guy)

#21 Kevin Garnett

Well... what do you think? Is this a great set or what?

Today's question of the day...

What's your favorite basketball card set of all time?

Happy hump day! Enjoy the rest of your week. Sayonara.