Exciting Start To ‘09 NBA Season

Fans and NBA memorabilia collectors were treated to an exciting start to the 2009-’10 regular season as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 95-89. In a rematch of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, the big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for 52 points while Rasheed Wallace put in 12 off the bench.

Lebron James put in a game-high 38, but that wasn’t enough as the Pierce hit clutch shot after clutch shot in the game’s final 90 seconds to give the Celtics their first victory in Quicken Loans arena in almost three seasons. The game had to remind fans and Celtics autographs collectors of the 2008 Playoffs when Pierce was practically unstoppable.

The NBA’s best team at home last season, the Cavs will look to bounce back on the road against rookie Jonny Flynn and the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night at the Target Center.

All Eyes On Blake Griffin

Some breaking news for fans and basketball autograph collectors: Clippers rookie Blake Griffin has a broken left kneecap and will likely miss most of the first two months of the season. It’s another tough break for the Clippers, although it seems fans and Clippers memorabilia collectors actually do have a lot to look forward to this season. Along with Griffin, the Clips have solid front court talent in the forms of Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. The electrifying Baron Davis will be running the point, but all fans, season ticket holders and sports memorabilia eyes will be on top pick Griffin and his acclimation to life in the NBA.

Jordan Still Top Asset

Yesterday marked one of the truly important moments in sports history. A young man named Michael Jordan stepped onto an NBA court for the first time back on October 26th, 1984. While fans and NBA memorabilia collectors could never imagine the career that would come to be, Jordan would go on to become the greatest player in basketball history and one of the truly iconic figures in American history. Few sports autographs are more in demand each and every day than Michael Jordan signed items, and with Jordan’s entrance into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame this past summer that demand may be more intense than ever.

Ozzie Smith Items Set For Auction

The best news for an MLB memorabilia collector during a recession? Player’s and star’s restaurants going out of business, and some of the rare sports memorabilia lining their walls hits the open market. Just is the case for fans and Cardinals memorabilia collectors. As the legendary Ozzie Smith had to close the doors on his two decade-old restaurant, many unique and rare items including autographed baseball jerseys, photos and displays.

Sakic Items Up For Auction

A prominent sports collectibles magazine has a featured article this week stating that NHL memorabilia collectors will be able to bid on a limited edition of NHL jerseys from Joe Sakic’s retirement night. Worn by Colorado players during the first game of the current NHL season, the set will include 20 game-used hockey jerseys and four that were game-issued but not worn on the ice. The NHL also plans to let fans bid on up to 12 game-used pucks. The bidding runs through October 29th.

Jordan Rookie Jersey Set For Sale

Vintage jersey specialist Mitchell & Ness has been a hit for fans looking for vintage sports apparel and throwback NFL jerseys, but fans and NBA memorabilia collectors may have to stretch their wallets a little farther with the company’s newest product. M&N is set to release the Michael Jordan rookie jersey, an exact replica of the Bulls jersey his young airness wore back in his rookie campaign of 1984-85. The jersey will be limited to only 1,264 editions, one for every game of Jordan’s professional career, and will sell for $375 a pop.

Johnson Stretches Lead

They say nothing goes as fast as time. That might be the only thing Jimmie Johnson finishes second to. Fans and racing memorabilia collectors watched as the three-time defending Sprint Cup Champion dominated Saturday night’s NASCAR Banking 500 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Winning for the sixth time at his sponsored-shared track, Johnson took the checkers for the third time in five Chase races while stretching his points lead over Hendrick teammate Mark Martin to 90 points. Jimmie Johnson autographs have become one of the hottest items in the sports memorabilia market over the past four years, one that has seen the 34-year old reel off an unprecedented amount of success.

With five races to go, the Chase for the Cup heads to the paperclip Martinsville Speedway for this weekend’s Fast Relief 500.

Phils Take NLCS Game One

If recent history is any proof, the Philadelphia Phillies can begin making travel plans well into next week. The Phillies beat the Dodgers 8-6 in last night’s NLCS game one, the winner of which has won the series in 14 of the last 17 years. Searches for Phillies autographs went through the roof last season, with sales of their autographed sports items pushing many suppliers to the brink.

Fans and Dodgers fans should be worried, fans and collectors of Tommy Lasorda autographs should remember the 1977 NLCS where the Dodgers dropped game one of the series to Philadelphia, only to come back and win the series 3-1.

ALCS Kicks Off Tonight

It’s no surprise that fans and baseball memorabilia collector have been all over Angels autographed items and Yankees collectibles this week. One can argue that the Halos and Bombers are the two best teams in baseball, and the victor may take home the World Series trophy in the next two weeks.

Game one of the American League Championship Series kicks off tonight at the new Yankee Stadium, with C.C. Sabathia taking on John Lackey. First pitch is scheduled for 8:07 p.m.

Molina Sued For Ditching Signing

It hasn’t been a good week for Cardinals memorabilia collectors, fans and their star catcher Yadier Molina. Just days after getting bounced from the playoffs by the Dodgers, the star catcher is now being sued by a prominent sports memorabilia company for flaking out on a baseball memorabilia signing. The case in Manhattan State Supreme says the company will seek $175,000 from Molina, included was $90,000 the catcher was given upfront.

With the Cardinals enjoying the NLCS at home like the rest of us, maybe Yadier can put his new-found spare time to use, possibly to sign autographed baseballs!