Arguably the most important rookie card since Michael Jordan's 1986 Fleer #57 production and far more difficult to locate in BGS 9.5. In fact, only a few of these elite high-grade copies surface on the open market per year and when one does finally hit the market, it's aggressively targeted by Kobe's ever expanding fan base. The offered Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant, to put it simply, is one of the best – setting the tone for what a truly elite Beckett 9.5 example can offer, achieving subgrades: centering 9.5, corners 10, edges 10, and surfaces 9.5; qualities which place this just a whisker away from the coveted ‘10’ designation. The notoriously condition sensitive surfaces are among the finest we've seen on the issue with almost zero 'greening' present as well as no rogue refractor lines. Furthermore, the registration is precise, and the centering is virtually perfect; a rare quality for the issue so often affected by shifts. Really, this is a superb example which sits in the upper echelon of all examples. Within the early stages of Kobe's NBA career and as Michael Jordan's career waned, Kobe was dubbed as Jordan's 'Air-Apparent' with his ability to dazzle fans with his acrobatic dunks and possessing the ability to completely take over the game. Oh boy, did he live up to the hype! Kobe Bryant's statistics are out of this world having won five championships, an MVP, four scoring titles and now being fourth on the all-time scoring leaders list. An all-around incredible offering which is only deserving of the finest portfolio.
