NBA Hobby Update: Al Jefferson & Andrew Bynum

Al Jefferson finished last season as a breakout star for the ailing Celtics, averaging 16 ppg & 10.9 rpg. This season with Minnesota, he hasn't lost a step, averaging 20.9 ppg & 11.2 rpg in Nov, 19.9 ppg & 12.8 rpg in Dec and 21.4 ppg & 11.5 rpg so far in Jan (thru 1/25). Unfortunately, the T-Wolves have a league-worst 7-35 record. They're definitely at the very beginning of a rebuilding phase. Luckily, though, they do have a few young of players with potential (in addition to Jefferson) that they can build around (Sebastian Telfair, Corey Brewer, Rashad McCants, Randy Foye, Gerald Green). Maybe they need to dump a few of their centers (5 of the 15 players on their roster are centers).

Jefferson's 04-05 SP Authentic Auto RC #'d 1499 is averaging $21.52 this month, down from $26.35 in December. His SPx Auto/Jsy RC #'d 1999 is averaging $31.41, just about the same as it's $31.22 average last month. I really believe that his team's performance is holding him back from elevating to that next level of hobby stardom. He has 31 double-doubles in his first 42 games this year, and 9 in his last 12 games. 23-year-old Jefferson is definitely a player to buy!

Andrew Bynum got injured back on 1/13, right when his rookie cards were making some major jumps in value as a result of his increasingly impressive performances. What impact has his absence on the court had on his values? None at all it would seem. His 05-06 SP Authentic Auto RC #'d 1299 was averaging around $40-45 TAC this month. After his injury, $66.25! Same story for his SPx Auto/Jsy RC #'d 1499; $66.49 before, and $81.33 after! Despite being out an estimated 8 weeks, it was reported that doctors didn't have any concern about Bynum making a full recovery. I guess collectors share that sentiment! Bynum's SPA Auto RC has now caught up with Chris Paul's in value this month, putting it in a tie for the top $ spot of the set (can't compare SPx because some rookies are #'d to 1499 & others to 750).

Deals on Bynum's key Auto rookies are hard to come by these days. If you're looking for his higher-end cards, you can expect to pay $110-120 for his Ultimate Collection Auto RC #'d 250, and around $400 for his Exquisite Collection Auto/Patch #'d 225.