Grandmama - I Thought LJ Had a Great Future

I was a big Larry Johnson fan like 20 years ago. I started following him at UNLV, thought his future with the Charlotte Hornets was going to be awesome and then he couldn't get along with Alonzo Mourning.

Back injuries and a trip to the NY Knicks seemed to derail that future. He did have one of the best commercials though!

I don't collect many basketball cards, but I've held on to his one from Upper Deck for a while.

Shaquille O'Neal - LSU March Madness

I don't collect many basketball cards, but I previously collected a ton of these 1992 Classic Draft Picks cards.

I had the O'Neil, Billy Owens, Alonzo Mourning and ton of the others. I always liked the action shots and the prices. These things were really cheap and it was easy to get the set. I don't think I have many now.

I admit . . . I thought Shaq and Chris Jackson (the guy who later wouldn't stand for the National Anthem) would take LSU to the final 4. Not so much.

Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough Free Autographs

Updating my story from Sunday, July 26 . . .

Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough will be signing free autographs at the National Sports Collectors Convention on Saturday, August 1. I originally reported the signing after reading the PaniniAmerica twitter feed.

Sports Collector's Daily is reporting that players will be signing special cards for the National event.

I'll try to pick up a couple for some a contest next week!

I'll update my success (or failure) on twitter this weekend. Follow my updates at twitter.com/jamesryanj or anyone's National twitter feed at #NSCCShow.

Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough Autographs at The National?

Panini America's twitter feed announced Friday that Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough will be signing for them at the National Sports Collector's Convention.

Does that mean it's a public signing at their booth?

If so, I can't imagine you can bring your own item to get signed, but Panini would probably have promo cards with the players signing them (if this is a public event).

I sent a twitter reply to Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) asking for clarification. I'll update this post when I get clarification.

I'll be twittering from the National Wednesday night, Saturday and Sunday. You can follow me twitter.com/jamesryanj or follow all the National Sports Collector's Convention twitter updates with #NSCCShow. More on how to follow the National hashtag #NSCCShow here.

Providence Coach Keno Davis on Twitter and Following Me?

Why is the Providence Men's Basketball Coach, Keno Davis, following my updates on Twitter?

I received this email last night. I don't really follow basketball (I didn't know who Keno Davis was) and I don't twitter about sports that I often.

Michael Jordan's Locker Sells for $23,000

To have the #23 in the final sale amount of Jordan's locker seems too poetic.

Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls locker was sold by Bulls and Hunt Auctions for charity. The winning bidder paid $23,000 for the same locker that Jordan sat next to when hugging the NBA Finals trophy with his Dad and the same locker he hung up his shorts for the last time in Chicago (2x).

MJ also autographed the wood-panelled locker. Other items at auction included a red Bulls uniform and autographed jerseys.

Source: Boston Herald

Basketball Hall of Fame Moves to Las Vegas

Parts of the Hall of Fame are moving to Sin City!

Planet Hollywood has opened the HHX-The Hoop Hall Experience on the Las Vegas Strip. This is the first time some of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is moving outside of Springfield, MA.

Major League Baseball did this a few years ago with their Baseball America tour and they also have a big showing at the All-Star game fan fests each year. Not everyone can make it to New England (especially in these economic times) so this is a great way to take the Hall of Fame to the people.

Insert your own Wilt Chamberlin memorabilia Las Vegas joke here.

I'll stop by and get some pictures when I'm in Las Vegas at the end of the month.

Meeting Norm Van Lier - Guest Blog Entry

The following blog entry is from Jamie Shields. These are his reflections from meeting Norm Van Lier - one of the all time great Chicago Bulls. Van Lier died on Feb. 26, 2009 at 61.

"Van Lier is remembered as one of the all time greats to wear a Chicago Bulls uniform. He was well known as a fiery competitor who set a standard for defense and toughness. My first and only opportunity to meet Van Lier was during a Chicago Sun Times Collectors Convention in November 2007.

Within moments of meeting him he impressed upon me an overwhelming positive attitude and a willingness to chat about anything Bulls. Van Lier attempted to pass a little of his positive outlook onto each collector by including a smiley face to the end of his signature. He will be truly missed."

If you've had an encounter with a player who has moved on to the Field of Dreams and want to share your thoughts, please post a comment here or email your story to me. I'll post it on the blog, just like this one from Jamie Shields.