2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards

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Marking the end of an era for NBA collectors, 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball was the final standalone set for the popular card brand as Panini soon took control of the exclusive NBA card license.

Although there was also a 2009-10 Topps Chrome Basketball series, it came as an insert in the flagship Topps NBA product for '09-10.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Set Details

At its core, 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball is essentially a moderate base set with several Refractor tiers, and 65 serial-numbered autographs. That's it.

The 220-card base set features 40 rookie cards. Just six parallels (plus plates) complete the Refractor rainbow, a far cry from today's massive lineups.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Base Refractor Parallels Breakdown

Refractor
Orange Refractor - #/499
X-Fractor #/288
Gold Refractor - #/50
Red Refractor - #/5
SuperFractor - 1/1 (Hobby)
Printing Plates - 1/1

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 1

The base design, which showcases a retro-style team nameplate and large white frame, does feel a bit dated, but that adds to the charm.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 2

Driving 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball to big heights, at least early on, was the rookie trio of Derrick Rose, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.

These three stars, as well as most of the other rookies, are found in the main base set and in the Base Rookie Refractor Autographs subset. The rookie autographs are numbered to 795 or less with a handful of parallels. However, the top rookie autographs have only 145 copies at the base level.

The other signed cards are case-hits, including 1958-59 Variation Refractor Autographs (#/390 or less) and Youthquake Refractor Autographs (#/165 or less).

It took some time, but what ultimately pushed 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball to another level was the appeal of two main base cards: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 3

In both instances, the drawing power is greatly increased due to impressive imagery. Kobe's card shows the Lakers' superstar squaring off against LeBron. And the LeBron James card highlights his trademark chalk toss ritual.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 4

These two cards command big amounts, especially the limited Refractors. Another notable option is the second-year card for Kevin Durant.

Combined with the rookie-fueled demand at the start, 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball boxes are not easy to locate and very, very expensive to acquire.

Hobby boxes, promising one rookie autograph per box, come in a gold box/pack scheme, while Retail uses blue.

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 5

Key Cards

Top 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards

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Kobe Bryant #24

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 3

LeBron James #23

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 4

Russell Westbrook RC #184

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 8

Russell Westbrook RC #224 Refractor Autograph #/145

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 9

Derrick Rose RC #181

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 2

Derrick Rose RC #221 Refractor Autograph #/145

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 11

Kevin Love RC #225 Refractor Autograph #/145

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 12

Kevin Durant #156

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2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Cards 13

Set Checklist

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Checklist

View 2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball cards currently on eBay.

Base Set Checklist

220 cards.

REFRACTOR PARALLELS: Refractor, Orange #/499, X-Fractor #/288, Gold #/50, Red #/5, SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1.

1 Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets
2 Joe Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
3 Allen Iverson - Denver Nuggets
4 Luis Scola - Houston Rockets
5 Kevin Garnett - Boston Celtics
6 Andrew Bogut - Milwaukee Bucks
7 Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls
8 Carlos Boozer - Utah Jazz
9 Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs
10 Gilbert Arenas - Washington Wizards
11 Yao Ming - Houston Rockets
12 Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic
13 Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns
14 Daequan Cook - Miami Heat
15 Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets
16 Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers
17 Mike Dunleavy Jr. - Indiana Pacers
18 Jason Maxiell - Detroit Pistons
19 Al Thornton - Los Angeles Clippers
20 Ray Allen - Boston Celtics
21 Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs
22 Michael Redd - Milwaukee Bucks
23 LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers
24 Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
25 Al Jefferson - Minnesota Timberwolves
26 Raymond Felton - Charlotte Bobcats
27 LaMarcus Aldridge - Portland Trail Blazers
28 Jose Calderon - Toronto Raptors
29 Andris Biedrins - Golden State Warriors
30 Rasheed Wallace - Detroit Pistons
31 Shawn Marion - Miami Heat
32 Shaquille O'Neal - Phoenix Suns
33 Mike Miller - Minnesota Timberwolves
34 Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics
35 Brad Miller - Sacramento Kings
36 Richard Jefferson - Milwaukee Bucks
37 DeShawn Stevenson - Washington Wizards
38 Zach Randolph - New York Knicks
39 Daniel Gibson - Cleveland Cavaliers
40 Nazr Mohammed - Charlotte Bobcats
41 Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks
42 Elton Brand - Philadelphia 76ers
43 Linas Kleiza - Denver Nuggets
44 Andrea Bargnani - Toronto Raptors
45 Josh Smith - Atlanta Hawks
46 Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls
47 Andrei Kirilenko - Utah Jazz
48 Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers
49 Rashad McCants - Minnesota Timberwolves
50 Emeka Okafor - Charlotte Bobcats
51 Kyle Korver - Utah Jazz
52 Jamario Moon - Toronto Raptors
53 Nick Young - Washington Wizards
54 Rashard Lewis - Orlando Magic
55 Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks
56 Josh Howard - Dallas Mavericks
57 Desmond Mason - Oklahoma City Thunder
58 Andre Miller - Philadelphia 76ers
59 Rafer Alston - Houston Rockets
60 Baron Davis - Los Angeles Clippers
61 Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Cleveland Cavaliers
62 Marvin Williams - Atlanta Hawks
63 Manu Ginobili - San Antonio Spurs
64 David West - New Orleans Hornets
65 Rajon Rondo - Boston Celtics
66 Kenyon Martin - Denver Nuggets
67 Josh Boone - New Jersey Nets
68 Travis Outlaw - Portland Trail Blazers
69 Andre Iguodala - Philadelphia 76ers
70 Yi Jianlian - New Jersey Nets
71 Jordan Farmar - Los Angeles Lakers
72 Udonis Haslem - Miami Heat
73 Caron Butler - Washington Wizards
74 Craig Smith - Minnesota Timberwolves
75 Tayshaun Prince - Detroit Pistons
76 Rudy Gay - Memphis Grizzlies
77 Jermaine O'Neal - Toronto Raptors
78 Devin Harris - New Jersey Nets
79 Fabricio Oberto - San Antonio Spurs
80 Hedo Turkoglu - Orlando Magic
81 James Posey - New Orleans Hornets
82 Corey Maggette - Golden State Warriors
83 Ricky Davis - Los Angeles Clippers
84 Grant Hill - Phoenix Suns
85 Eddie House - Boston Celtics
86 Jeff Green - Oklahoma City Thunder
87 Lamar Odom - Los Angeles Lakers
88 Brandan Wright - Golden State Warriors
89 Sean Williams - New Jersey Nets
90 Drew Gooden - Chicago Bulls
91 Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns
92 Charlie Villanueva - Milwaukee Bucks
93 Ron Artest - Houston Rockets
94 Derek Fisher - Los Angeles Lakers
95 Willie Green - Philadelphia 76ers
96 Kirk Hinrich - Chicago Bulls
97 Jameer Nelson - Orlando Magic
98 Al Harrington - Golden State Warriors
99 Ronnie Brewer - Utah Jazz
100 Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat
101 Jamal Crawford - New York Knicks
102 Ryan Gomes - Minnesota Timberwolves
103 Marcus Camby - Los Angeles Clippers
104 Antawn Jamison - Washington Wizards
105 Cuttino Mobley - Los Angeles Clippers
106 Tyson Chandler - New Orleans Hornets
107 Al Horford - Atlanta Hawks
108 Chris Wilcox - Oklahoma City Thunder
109 Gerald Wallace - Charlotte Bobcats
110 Andrew Bynum - Los Angeles Lakers

111 Tracy McGrady - Houston Rockets
112 Mo Williams - Cleveland Cavaliers
113 Nate Robinson - New York Knicks
114 Wally Szczerbiak - Cleveland Cavaliers
115 Vince Carter - New Jersey Nets
116 T.J. Ford - Indiana Pacers
117 Kevin Martin - Sacramento Kings
118 Steve Blake - Portland Trail Blazers
119 Anderson Varejao - Cleveland Cavaliers
120 Mike Conley - Memphis Grizzlies
121 Chris Kaman - Los Angeles Clippers
122 Louis Williams - Philadelphia 76ers
123 Jason Richardson - Charlotte Bobcats
124 John Salmons - Sacramento Kings
125 Martell Webster - Portland Trail Blazers
126 Kurt Thomas - San Antonio Spurs
127 Raja Bell - Phoenix Suns
128 Jason Terry - Dallas Mavericks
129 Corey Brewer - Minnesota Timberwolves
130 Bruce Bowen - San Antonio Spurs
131 Glen Davis - Boston Celtics
132 Richard Hamilton - Detroit Pistons
133 Ben Wallace - Cleveland Cavaliers
134 Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors
135 Beno Udrih - Sacramento Kings
136 Jarrett Jack - Indiana Pacers
137 Stephen Jackson - Golden State Warriors
138 Damien Wilkins - Oklahoma City Thunder
139 Jamaal Tinsley - Indiana Pacers
140 Deron Williams - Utah Jazz
141 Andres Nocioni - Chicago Bulls
142 David Lee - New York Knicks
143 Rodney Stuckey - Detroit Pistons
144 Luke Walton - Los Angeles Lakers
145 Jerry Stackhouse - Dallas Mavericks
146 Samuel Dalembert - Philadelphia 76ers
147 Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers
148 Chauncey Billups - Detroit Pistons
149 Michael Finley - San Antonio Spurs
150 Leandro Barbosa - Phoenix Suns
151 Keith Bogans - Orlando Magic
152 Mike Bibby - Atlanta Hawks
153 Troy Murphy - Indiana Pacers
154 Eddy Curry - New York Knicks
155 Anthony Parker - Toronto Raptors
156 Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder
157 Larry Hughes - Chicago Bulls
158 Peja Stojakovic - New Orleans Hornets
159 Shane Battier - Houston Rockets
160 Kendrick Perkins - Boston Celtics
161 Mehmet Okur - Utah Jazz
162 Brendan Haywood - Washington Wizards
163 Monta Ellis - Golden State Warriors
164 J.R. Smith - Denver Nuggets
165 Greg Oden - Portland Trail Blazers
166 John Stockton - Utah Jazz
167 Dennis Rodman - Chicago Bulls
168 Dominique Wilkins - Atlanta Hawks
169 Larry Bird - Boston Celtics
170 Isiah Thomas - Detroit Pistons
171 Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers
172 Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
173 David Robinson - San Antonio Spurs
174 Jerry West - Los Angeles Lakers
175 Micheal Ray Richardson - New York Knicks
176 Jo Jo White - Boston Celtics
177 Pete Maravich - Atlanta Hawks
178 Wilt Chamberlain - Philadelphia 76ers
179 Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks
180 Julius Erving - Philadelphia 76ers
181 Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls RC
182 Michael Beasley - Miami Heat RC
183 O.J. Mayo - Memphis Grizzlies RC
184 Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder RC
185 Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves RC
186 Danilo Gallinari - New York Knicks RC
187 Eric Gordon - Los Angeles Clippers RC
188 Joe Alexander - Milwaukee Bucks RC
189 D.J. Augustin - Charlotte Bobcats RC
190 Brook Lopez - New Jersey Nets RC
191 Jerryd Bayless - Portland Trail Blazers RC
192 Jason Thompson - Sacramento Kings RC
193 Anthony Randolph - Golden State Warriors RC
194 Robin Lopez - Phoenix Suns RC
195 Marreese Speights - Philadelphia 76ers RC
196 Roy Hibbert - Indiana Pacers RC
197 JaVale McGee - Washington Wizards RC
198 J.J. Hickson - Cleveland Cavaliers RC
199 Alexis Ajinca - Charlotte Bobcats RC
200 Ryan Anderson - New Jersey Nets RC
201 Courtney Lee - Orlando Magic RC
202 Kosta Koufos - Utah Jazz RC
203 Donte Greene - Sacramento Kings RC
204 George Hill - San Antonio Spurs RC
205 D.J. White - Oklahoma City Thunder RC
206 J.R. Giddens - Boston Celtics RC
207 Joey Dorsey - Houston Rockets RC
208 Mario Chalmers - Miami Heat RC
209 DeAndre Jordan - Los Angeles Clippers RC
210 Chris Douglas-Roberts - New Jersey Nets RC
211 Malik Hairston - San Antonio Spurs RC
212 Marc Gasol - Memphis Grizzlies RC
213 Kyle Weaver - Oklahoma City Thunder RC
214 Patrick Ewing Jr. - Sacramento Kings RC
215 Walter Sharpe - Detroit Pistons RC
216 Sonny Weems - Denver Nuggets RC
217 Trent Plaisted - Detroit Pistons RC
218 Nicolas Batum - Portland Trail Blazers RC
219 Brandon Rush - Indiana Pacers RC
220 Darrell Arthur - Memphis Grizzlies RC

Base Rookie Refractor Autographs Set Checklist

35 cards.

REFRACTOR PARALLELS: X-Fractor #/15, Gold #/5, Red #/3, SuperFractor 1/1.

221 Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls #/145
222 Michael Beasley - Miami Heat #/145
223 O.J. Mayo - Memphis Grizzlies #/145
224 Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder #/145
225 Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves #/145
226 Danilo Gallinari - New York Knicks #/145
227 Eric Gordon - Los Angeles Clippers #/145
228 Joe Alexander - Milwaukee Bucks #/245
229 D.J. Augustin - Charlotte Bobcats #/245
230 Brook Lopez - New Jersey Nets #/245
231 Jerryd Bayless - Portland Trail Blazers #/245
232 Jason Thompson - Sacramento Kings #/245
233 Anthony Randolph - Golden State Warriors #/145
234 Robin Lopez - Phoenix Suns #/145
235 Marreese Speights - Philadelphia 76ers #/476
236 Roy Hibbert - Indiana Pacers #/245
237 JaVale McGee - Washington Wizards #/476
238 J.J. Hickson - Cleveland Cavaliers #/476

239 Sonny Weems - Denver Nuggets #/476
240 Ryan Anderson - New Jersey Nets #/476
241 Courtney Lee - Orlando Magic #/245
242 Kosta Koufos - Utah Jazz #/476
243 Donte Greene - Sacramento Kings #/245
244 George Hill - San Antonio Spurs #/245
245 D.J. White - Oklahoma City Thunder #/476
246 J.R. Giddens - Boston Celtics #/245
247 Joey Dorsey - Houston Rockets #/245
248 Mario Chalmers - Miami Heat #/245
249 DeAndre Jordan - Los Angeles Clippers #/476
250 Chris Douglas-Roberts - New Jersey Nets #/795
251 Kyle Weaver - Oklahoma City Thunder #/795
252 Patrick Ewing Jr. - Sacramento Kings #/795
253 Walter Sharpe - Detroit Pistons #/795
254 Brandon Rush - Indiana Pacers #/245
255 Darrell Arthur - Memphis Grizzlies #/245

2008-09 Topps Chrome Basketball Autograph Checklist

1958-59 Variation Refractor Autographs Checklist

15 cards.

REFRACTOR PARALLELS: X-Fractor #/15, Gold #/5, Red #/3, SuperFractor 1/1.

1 Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets #/20
7 Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls #/45
8 Carlos Boozer - Utah Jazz #/45
12 Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic #/45
15 Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets #/20
34 Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics #/45
46 Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls #/60
48 Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers #/60

60 Baron Davis - Los Angeles Clippers #/45
76 Rudy Gay - Memphis Grizzlies #/390
111 Tracy McGrady - Houston Rockets #/20
147 Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers #/45
165 Greg Oden - Portland Trail Blazers #/20
172 Larry Bird - Boston Celtics #/20
174 Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers #/20

Youthquake Refractor Autographs Set Checklist

15 cards.

REFRACTOR PARALLELS: X-Fractor #/15, Gold #/5, Red #/3, SuperFractor 1/1.

YQA1 Michael Beasley - Miami Heat #/30
YQA2 Jerryd Bayless - Portland Trail Blazers #/30
YQA3 Danilo Gallinari - New York Knicks #/30
YQA4 Eric Gordon - Los Angeles Clippers #/30
YQA5 Robin Lopez - New Jersey Nets #/165
YQA6 Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves #/30
YQA7 Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls #/30
YQA8 Anthony Randolph - Golden State Warriors #/165

YQA9 O.J. Mayo - Memphis Grizzlies #/30
YQA10 Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder #/30
YQA11 D.J. Augustin - Charlotte Bobcats #/45
YQA12 Brook Lopez - New Jersey Nets #/45
YQA13 Rudy Gay - Memphis Grizzlies #/165
YQA14 Al Thornton - Los Angeles Clippers #/45
YQA15 Thaddeus Young - Philadelphia 76ers #/30