So, I was rummaging through some old boxes the other day, you know, the ones filled with stuff you kinda forgot you had. Found some old basketball magazines and it got me thinking about the good old days, specifically the NBA All-Star games back when Shaquille O’Neal was just dominating everything. Man, Shaq was something else in those games. Pure power and fun. Right then, I got this itch, this idea that I really needed to add one of his All-Star cards to my personal stash.
The hunt started like it usually does for me now – online. Fired up the computer and started clicking through the usual marketplaces and forums. Saw tons of Shaq cards, naturally. Lots of reprints, some graded ones asking for an arm and a leg, you know the deal. Spent a good few hours just scrolling, seeing what was out there. Nothing really jumped out or felt quite right, though. It’s easy to just click ‘buy’, but sometimes you want a bit more to the story.
Hitting the Pavement (Sort Of)
Then I remembered this small card shop, kinda hidden away in a part of town I don’t get to often. Haven’t been there in years, honestly. Thought maybe, just maybe, they might have something interesting tucked away. Decided it was worth the trip. Nothing beats the smell of old cardboard and actually holding cards in your hand, right?
Walked into the shop, and yeah, it had that familiar scent. Started digging through their basketball binders. Took my time, wasn’t in a rush. Flipping through pages, seeing familiar faces and designs. It’s like a mini treasure hunt every time.
- Checked the Lakers section first.
- Then looked through the Magic era stuff.
- Finally went specifically for All-Star themed cards.
And there it was. Not a perfect, gem mint card by any means. You could tell it had been around, maybe traded a few times. But it was the one. It had that classic early-to-mid 90s All-Star design I remembered seeing. It just looked cool.
Making the Deal
Got chatting with the guy behind the counter. Older gentleman, clearly knew his stuff. We talked about Shaq, his different teams, those crazy All-Star moments. He pulled the card out for me, let me take a good look. We talked price. It wasn’t dirt cheap, but for what it was, and its condition, it felt totally fair. Way better than some of the crazy asking prices online. Made the deal right there. Felt good, you know? Buying from a person, having a chat, not just clicking a button.
Finally got it home. Carefully put it into a nice new protective sleeve and then a hard case. Set it on my desk for a while, just admiring it. It’s not about the monetary value, not really. It’s about having that little piece of history, that connection to those memories of watching Shaq play. Pretty satisfying end to the little quest, I gotta say. Another nice piece added to the collection.
