Your Ultimate 2015-16 Select Basketball Checklist for Building a Championship Team

I still remember the 2015-16 NBA season like it was yesterday—the year Stephen Curry shattered his own three-point record with 402 makes, the season the Warriors won 73 games, and frankly, the year I became obsessed with building the perfect basketball card collection. As a longtime collector and basketball analyst, I’ve always believed that assembling a championship-caliber team in the hobby world isn’t just about chasing the flashiest rookies; it’s about understanding the players who make their teams better, even when their own shots aren’t falling. That’s why the 2015-16 Select Basketball checklist remains one of my all-time favorites—it’s packed with players who embody that unselfish, adaptable style of play. Take Isaiah Thomas, for instance. I’ll never forget watching him during that season, carving up defenses despite his 5-foot-9 frame. He once said, “If my shots weren’t falling, I look for my teammates and I just play on how their defense is playing me.” That mindset, right there, is what separates good players from great ones—and it’s exactly the kind of quality I look for when picking cards for my collection.

When I’m evaluating the 2015-16 Select checklist, I don’t just focus on the obvious stars like Curry or LeBron James, though their cards are undoubtedly essential. I pay close attention to the playmakers—the guys who might not always light up the scoreboard but dictate the flow of the game. Players like Draymond Green, whose card from that set has become a cornerstone in my portfolio. Green averaged nearly 7.4 assists per game that season, a staggering number for a forward, and he epitomized that team-first mentality. Or Rajon Rondo, who dished out 11.7 assists per game and whose cards in this set are surprisingly undervalued, in my opinion. I’ve always leaned toward collecting facilitators because they’re the ones who elevate everyone around them. Think about it: a team built solely on scorers might win games, but a team with selfless playmakers? That’s what wins championships. And in the 2015-16 Select series, you’ve got a deep bench of such players, from Chris Paul to Kyle Lowry, each bringing that cerebral approach to the court.

Now, let’s talk rookies—because no championship team checklist is complete without them. The 2015-16 class was stacked, and Select captured them beautifully. Karl-Anthony Towns, for example, is a must-have; his rookie card in this set has appreciated by roughly 180% since release, based on my tracking. But here’s where I get a bit opinionated: I’m actually higher on Devin Booker’s cards from this set than some of his peers. Why? Because even as a rookie, he showed that adaptability Isaiah Thomas talked about. Booker didn’t just score; he learned to read defenses and create for others as the season progressed. On the other hand, I’ve never been fully sold on Jahlil Okafor’s cards, despite the hype back then—his game felt one-dimensional, and in today’s NBA, that just doesn’t cut it. From a collector’s standpoint, I’d say aim for at least 8-10 key rookies from this checklist to build a solid foundation. And don’t sleep on the international players like Kristaps Porziņģis; his cards have outperformed expectations, and I regret not buying more when they were cheaper.

Beyond the players, the 2015-16 Select set itself is a masterpiece of design and scarcity, which adds another layer to building your “team.” The prizm parallels, especially the gold and black versions, are like having a secret weapon—they’re rare, visually stunning, and hold value incredibly well. I’ve personally seen a LeBron James gold prizm from this set sell for over $1,200 in a recent auction, which is insane but justified. And let’s not forget the insert sets; the “Courtside” series, for instance, features dynamic shots that capture the essence of players like Kawhi Leonard, whose defensive prowess often goes unnoticed in card collections. I always tell fellow collectors: diversify. Don’t just chase the base cards. Snag a few inserts and parallels—they’re like the role players who round out your championship roster. In my experience, focusing on 3-4 key parallels per star player can yield better long-term returns than hoarding dozens of base cards.

As I look back at my own collection built around this checklist, I realize it’s not just about the monetary value—it’s about curating a group of players who represent the heart of basketball. That quote from Isaiah Thomas? It’s a reminder that greatness isn’t always measured in points; it’s in the ability to adapt, to lift others, and to read the game. So if you’re using the 2015-16 Select Basketball checklist to build your championship team, prioritize those playmakers and rookies with high basketball IQ. Trust me, your collection will be stronger for it. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll look back at this set as the one that defined an era of unselfish basketball.