2004-05 Upper Deck SP Signature Edition Five Star Signatures #5S1 Jordan/Bryant/James/Garnett/Anthony Multi-Signed Card (#09/10) - PSA NM-MT 8, PSA/DNA GEM MT 10

Graded NM-MT 8 by PSA, with Autograph Certified and graded GEM MT 10 by PSA/DNA (101221076). Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett are joined by their future Springfield compatriots LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony on this star-studded Upper Deck SP Signature Edition Five Star Signatures collectible. Each player has contributed a blue ink signature; Jordan, Bryant, and James have signed the obverse, while Garnett and Anthony have signed the cardback. This is one of only two cards in this insert set to pair Jordan's autograph with the signature of James, and the only entry in the series to also include Bryant in that trio of hardwood greatness. 

Jordan is the elder statesman of the grouping, but his presence at the forefront of every "Greatest Of All Time" conversation has not been overshadowed in the slightest in the succeeding years. A six-time NBA Finals champion, five-time league MVP, and 10-time scoring champion, "His Airness" was a veritable force of nature, a competitor of such supernatural athleticism and tenacity that he was able to mold the league in his image. Beyond his on-court skill, Jordan possessed serious charisma and global appeal: this was the man who helped the NBA move out of the shadow of the NFL and MLB and into its status as a globally recognized brand, paving the way for the superstars that would come after him. One of the players that benefitted from Jordan's pioneering ways was James, an athlete whose eye-popping blend of skill, size, and speed has only been surpassed in recent years by his unbelievable longevity. In a few short weeks, James—already the league's all-time scoring leader, while also ranking in the top ten in career assists, steals, and defensive rebounds—will turn 40 years old; while other players have reached that milestone in their professional careers before, none have ever come close to doing so while still being regarded as one of the league's best players, a status which the "Chosen One" continues to possess. A five-time NBA Finals champion and two-time Finals MVP, Bryant overlapped with both Jordan and James. While the other two men can be said to possess nearly superhuman physical qualities that made them appear as if they were from another planet, Bryant's game was significantly more approachable: while he was undoubtedly one of the most talented players ever to grace the court, the "Black Mamba's" dogged work ethic, fierce determination, and willingness to adapt were qualities we could all relate to. Bryant made the on-looker feel that, if they worked hard enough, they too could achieve legendary things; it is no wonder that his playstyle and his "Mamba Mentality" continue to influence the modern game. Sadly, Bryant—one of the most popular athletes in NBA history—passed away in 2020 at the age of 41. Of course, any collectible that possesses such star power that players such as Garnett and Anthony—bonafine NBA legends in their own right who have combined for 25 All-Star Game appearances—take on a complementary role is clearly an ultra-prestigious piece that would be the cornerstone of any modern collection of autograph basketball cards. A statement on the card affirms the manufacturer's guarantee of authenticity for the piece's content and serves as the item's COA. The limited-edition piece is serial-numbered "09/10."