Part of “making it” in the NBA – or any professional sport – is the evidence. Jerseys. Shirts. Photos. Trading cards. The latter is one of the better traditions that proves a player has arrived at the big time.
NBA cards really didn’t catch on until the late 1960s. That was a good thing for Phoenix, which entered the league in 1968. Chances are a card of your favorite Suns player is around somewhere.
Cards have evolved, as well, to the point where NBA players no longer need to wait a year (or even their first offseason) for their first rookie cards to go to print.
Phoenix first-round picks T.J. Warren and Tyler Ennis are already gracing three Panini cards each, including a "Cracked Ice Rookie Patch" version of the Panini national card.
While more action-oriented shots should be expected over the next 12 months, it’s hard to think of a better way to capture the moment they became NBA players.