Kinda had to stretch it on 10 here, but I was closer to 10 than 5 for Allen Iverson so here we go!
10-1996-97 Topps NBA At 50 Parallel RC
This was pack pulled but like 20 years after it originally came out. Believe it or not, for some people out there, older boxes were readily available at affordable prices. I picked up jumbo box of 1996-97 Topps Series 2 off Ebay for under $100 back in 2017 and ripped. Pulled multiple copies of all the rookies in the set (and of course the series 2 of MJ). This was my best NBA@50 parallel. I really like the look of these as these are the "poor man"'s version of Topps Chrome.
9-2002-03 Fleer Platinum Nameplates Jersey Patch (#115/485)
In an era of overproduced memorabilia cards, this stand out to me because of the uniqueness of the design. I absolutely love it. Having a nice patch from the Sixers alternate blue jersey makes it great as well.
8-1996-97 Topps Chrome RC
Another sentimental pick here, as this the exact Iverson I pack pulled back when this set came out. This was really the first "monster" card I ever owned. I still vividly remember all the details of this. I remember going to Wal Mart as a kid, seeing this Topps Chrome set and thinking oh cool a new basketball set, let me try a pack. So I bought one pack and lo and behold pulled the AI. The thing is, it was just another card in my collection for a good while before a year later when Kobe and Topps Chrome EXPLODED and suddenly a $12.00 card kept going up and up and up in Beckett each month. I remember waiting in anticipation for the next month's Beckett to see just how much the card had jumped up. At the time, it peaked at $150 Hi Raw and I thought I was RICH lol. I'd never owned a $100+ card in my life! It's a fun reminder of how card collecting was back in the 90's.
7-1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Series 1 Rave (#13/399)
One of the more popular parallels from the late 90's. I picked this up years before the Pandemic
6-1996-97 Flair Showcase Row 0 RC
I think 1996-97 Flair Showcase Row 0 are GORGEOUS cards. I absolutely love them. Another card I'm thankful I picked up pre pandemic
5-2018-19 Obsidian Galaxy Yellow Etch Autograph (#4/10)
Pack pulled myself. Had a great 2 Box Obsidian break at the time as I pulled this and the Orange Etch Luka Rookie numbered to 25. One of the last products that would be "affordable" before the boom happened. It's a great looking card. Only reason it's not higher it's that it's a sticker auto
4-2016-17 Panini Immaculate Dual Autograph With Marcus Camby (#35/49)
A callback to the star studded 1996-97 Draft Class. Out of allllll the stars from this class, why Camby? Simple, AI was the #1 pick, Camby was #2. Camby might not have lived up the #2 expectations, but he still had a solid career. On card auto from a high end set with a touch of nostalgia
3-1998-99 EX Century Dunk'n Go-Nuts
The innovation of 90's inserts never ceases to amaze me. Another classic memorable insert set from that era.
2-2003-04 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor PSA 8 (#35/99)
The first Topps Chrome set with Gold Refractors. Just a great looking AI
1-1998-99 NBA Hoops Prime Twine (#125/500)
Hands down my favorite AI. Just an awesome looking Die Cut from a low end set that due to the lockout probably wasn't broken a ton. Numbered to 500, when 500 was considered relatively scare. Another card that I probably wouldn't be able to get had I not gotten it pre pandemic