Archive for NBA
LeBron James is Proving to Be a MVP On and Off the Court
Posted by: | CommentsAfter LeBron James made “The Decision,” most basketball fans immediately resented him. Maybe that is putting it mildly. The LeBron haters swiftly came out of the woodwork and have been pumping a steady stream of angry rants against the NBA star since he moved south to play in Miami. It didn’t help when the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert piled on as well.
What has LeBron done in the aftermath of all that? It seems like all the right things. Last year he apologized to the fans in Cleveland for how it all went down.
Earlier this season LeBron shared that he wouldn’t rule out potentially returning to Cleveland while also sharing he doesn’t hold a grudge against Dan Gilbert for his comments. It is one thing to appear like you are growing up in the eyes of the press, but the real test of a man is what he does when he doesn’t think the cameras are on. We witness this a few months back when LeBron James made it a point to get his teammates to take pictures with members of the U.S. military while the team was waiting for their flight. This was a really great story. And just this week, LeBron humbly accepted his third NBA Most Valuable Player award.
He has his team poised to take the title this year and that is all he ever really wanted to play for. Can you blame him for wanting to play on the highest stage for one of sport’s greatest trophies? I don’t think so. And every positive thing he does now makes him more desirable to collectors. Almost a year ago, I shared that I felt LeBron James was the #1 athlete to invest in at the time. I’m sure those who took my advice are very happy they did as they invested when the market for LeBron was at an all-time low.
I still believe LeBron James collectibles are a good buy until he wins his first NBA title which based on how he is playing, may only be a matter of weeks away. If he continues to dominate the association as we have seen, the Most Valuable Player will soon have the “Most Valuable Collectibles.” And Upper Deck Authenticated is pleased to be the exclusive source for authentic autographed collectibles from “King James.” Take a look at some of the items available for LeBron by clicking here.
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Upper Deck Celebrates Leap Year with Cash Back on High-Flying Memorabilia
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems like the 2011-12 NBA season has featured some of the most amazing dunks in recent years. And with the NBA All-Star Weekend tipping off tonight in Orlando, we should be treated to a variety of sensational dunks all weekend long.
When it comes to providing fans with authentic signed collectibles of players who love to throw down the rock, nobody beats Upper Deck Authenticated. In fact, to celebrate NBA All-Star Weekend, Upper Deck Authenticated is offering a promotion where fans can get cash back on their purchases of memorabilia featuring top NBA stars like LeBron James and legends like Michael Jordan through February 29.
If you’ve been holding off on picking up a piece from an iconic basketball player that will immediately upgrade your mancave, now is the time. Don’t delay though, once this offer has expired, you may not see another like it again. Visit www.upperdeckstore.com for more details!
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Winner of the ‘LeBron James Caption Contest’ Announced
Posted by: | CommentsLast month we shared details about the “LeBron James Caption Contest” where Upper Deck Authenticated gave fans the opportunity to win a pair of signed game-used shoes from the two-time NBA MVP LeBron James. We had a huge response which isn’t surprising since the prize was indeed very sweet!
So without further adieu, we would like to share who won. Check out this video to see if you are the winner!
We really enjoyed some of the captions fans came up with. Take a look through some of our favorites below:
- If Larry thought God was disguised as Michael Jordan, Paul’s’ thinking this is the Second Coming
- Mr. Pierce, are you ready to be my next poster?
- Leading the future by defeating the past.
- LeBron gets ready to Pierce through the Celtics D.
- LeBron: Wanna get your ankles broken? Pierce: Don’t worry. I got ankle insurance with State Farm.
- Changing of the guard in the East. There’s a new sheriff in town and he’s a pack’n the Heat!
- Kings are not born; they are made by the path they take.
- Hey Paul…after tonight, you can go ahead and take your talents and go back to Boston.
- You’ll have to flap harder than that if you want to stop me.
- You want LeBron? You CAN’T handle LeBron!
Did you miss out on this promotion? Well good news, we have plans for several other FREE giveaways throughout the summer. Just stay in touch with us! Check out our community page here and make sure you are active fans of our different communities.
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LeBron James: Don’t Hate, Appreciate
Posted by: | CommentsIf you watched the first game of the NBA Finals like me last night, you had to admire some of the things LeBron James was doing for the Miami Heat. You knew it was coming and when he started heating up (pun intended), it was really something to behold. He played like a man possessed and it is very clear that LeBron James has grown up. You haven’t seen some of the antics where he played air guitar or danced on the court during games this season. He is taking things very seriously and that is going to be a big problem for teams that go up against him.

In previous years, LeBron was all about having fun on the court, but we haven't seen much of that this season.
I’m not going to try to compare LeBron James to Michael Jordan as I personally don’t think there is a comparison. To me MJ was the best. What I can say however is that for the first time since Jordan, I REALLY wanted to watch a game my team wasn’t in. I’m a Laker fan, but I had to see that game because I wanted to see what they were going to do. It was must see TV and LeBron did not disappoint. Based on the ratings for these NBA Playoffs, it would appear that I am not alone in wanting to see “King James” perform on the highest stage. As corny as it sounds, I am a “Witness,” and in all likelihood, you are too.
Say what you want about how LeBron left Cleveland, there is certainly no arguing that he is doing some amazing things this postseason. That shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, this is where amazing happens right? That’s why I would recommend to sports fans out there to just enjoy this ride. Don’t hate, appreciate.
If you didn’t hear it before, here was something pretty understandable that LeBron James shared after defeating the Celtics this postseason:
“Everything went through my mind. Finally getting over this hump against this team. Everything I went through this summer with the decision and deciding to come down here and be a part of this team… All the backlash I got from it. The talks me and D-Wade had. I was very emotional at that point.
“I knew deep down in my heart, as much as I loved my teammates back in Cleveland and as much as I loved home, I knew it couldn’t do it by myself against that team. The way it panned out with all the friends and family and the fans back home, I apologize for the way it happened. I knew this opportunity was once in a lifetime. To be able to come down here and pair with two guys and this organization — in order for me to move on with my career, that team that we just defeated, we had to go through them.”
Although I expect the Miami Heat to win the series and likely do it convincingly against the Mavericks, I won’t miss a game. I don’t want to miss what these guys are doing and in particular LeBron. And to those of you who still want to spend time hating on this team, I have got something for you to think about. You are “Witnessing” the worst Miami Heat team we are going to see for the next few years. They will only get better as they get used to playing with each other more while also acquiring more players through the draft and free agency.
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Brag Photo: Legends Of Sport Red Variation Piece Arrives
Posted by: | CommentsThe arrival of the Legends of Sport Red Variation piece at Upper Deck offices today has ruined productivity. Staff are having a hard time not stopping by to take a look at it and once they start checking it out, they find it difficult to stop. It is almost like the images and signatures Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have them hypnotized. They stand admiring the piece, wishing they could own one, but knowing they likely will not. A manager steps in to shepherd the staff admiring the piece back to work, but now he is transfixed by the piece as well.
Autographs of the greatest athletes don’t come easy and they are not cheap. When you have a special piece like this featuring authentic autographs of three of the greatest athletes of all-time limited to just 100 copies, it’s easy to understand that this item isn’t for everyone. It just can’t be.
A piece like this would be considered the holy grail to a collector lucky enough to possess it and they will have their chance when they go live on Upper Deck’s online store the first week of February. It carries a suggested retail price of $7000. This limited-edition item can also be procured by contacting Upper Deck Authenticated at (800)551-8220 early next week.

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'" - Muhammad Ali

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results." - Michael Jordan
With an exclusive memorabilia deal with Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, collectors will not find an authentic piece like this from anyone else than Upper Deck Authenticated. This is your opportunity to own the world’s greatest memorabilia featuring the world’s greatest athletes. Invest in your passion.
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