REVIEW:2015/16 Panini Preferred Basketball

If you prefer high-end basketball products and prefer them to come with on-card autographs and prefer that they come with booklets, well, I am about to introduce to you Panini Preferred. Or maybe you have already met once.

Either way, here we go!

 

In every box of 2015/16 Panini Preferred Basketball there are two packs. Each pack comes with an autograph and memorabilia booklet giving you two on-card autographs and 2 booklets per box. Boxes, well I said high-end, will run you about $220.

The base set, yes, there is a base set, but it is strictly all autographs and is a big set to collect. There are 300 autographed cards in the base set composed of Silhouettes, Rookie Silhouettes, Autographs, Crown Royale, and Unparalleled. Every Autograph in Preferred is #'d/99 or less and is on-card.

 

Here were my two autograph pulls from my box. One of them is from my favorite all-time autograph memorabilia autograph set in Silhouette while the other is actually a blue parallel numbered to 15 and is the better card of the two. It's nice to see on-card content in a high-end product.

The base set consists of top rookies, veterans and legends of the game. There are parallels for the set as well numbered to 49 or less.

 

Like I mentioned above, you also find two booklets per box too!

Leading the way for the booklets are 2015 NBA Finals Memorabilia Booklets that have a vertical design and offer rarities like the one-of-one Finals Logo parallels. Stat Line Memorabilia Booklets include Tags (1/1) and focus on single-game performances from top stars.Vs One on One Memorabilia Booklets are a trifold layout with two players per book. 

 

There are also other book offerings like Board Members, Crazy Eights (8 players), Dual Memorabilia, Playbook Rookie Jumbo Relics, Playbook Jumbo Veteran Relics, Quads relics (4 players), Trending Upward, and Triple Memorabilia.

 

All booklets also have Prime and Super Prime parallels numbered to 25 or less. But, for some of them, not all players are included. 

The booklets are also nicely designed and have a high-end feel.

Here are the booklets I pulled,

 

 Board Members:

 

 

And 2015 NBA Finals:

 

 

Overall, like with most high-end products it's a gamble. This one was definitely that and it didn't quite live up for the price. However, there is plenty of offerings in Preferred that could help a box live up to it's price when you start to look at the checklist.

 

There's Kobe, Durant, Bird, among others in the autograph checklist. That's also not counting all of the booklets with prime pieces you can pull as well.

For me, when it comes to a product like this, you have three options I believe.

1. If you are a gambler, then take a chance. There are some beautiful cards waiting in here for you.

2. If you are looking for specific cards, buy singles. Like I said, they look great and the autographs are on-card.

3. If you want to take the gamble but don't want to pay full price, buy into a box break. That way you still have a chance of landing some of the sweet cards but for a third of the price.

By the way, make sure you thank Panini America for this review box and check out their site for products like this one and others.You will find one or more of these hits in the Super Bowl Contest going on now!

Nuttin But The Hits:2015-2016 Upper Deck Champs Hockey(HUGE HIT!)

Today's bust is of 2015-2016 Upper Deck Champs Hockey.

There are three hits per box for a $75 box. But, a lot of Sp's, deep base card checklist and tons of chasing makes this for a fun break.

So let's get to the part you guys probably care most about, especially with a blog title like the one I have above, THE HITS!

Let's kick it off with my first hit, a Rookie relic of Flames rookie Emile Poirier. His relic falls 1:30. Like with recent Upper Deck releases, some players are tougher pulls then others when it comes to relics and autographs.

1:194 odds to pull this Subban Rookie auto. Since this is an older break, I have since given this card away to a Twitter follower. Hope they enjoyed!

And the huge boom that comes 1:455 packs and is the top rookie of the class, Mr. Connor McDavid Framed Mini Jersey. I knew from the pack weight that I had gotten something but didn't expect this. These are rare pulls and not ever expected to pull him. Usually I pull the lesser of the players.

 

Overall, McDavid obviously is the eye catcher here. Not sure how I would rank the break without the pull. I haven't really had the chance to check through my base cards thoroughly enough to see if I pulled any Sp's. 

Thoughts on this product and my big hit are welcomed below!

REVIEW:2015-2016 Panini Revolution (BIG BOOM)

The 90's are back! Well, at least some of it.

When Panini first announced the return of Revolution, a Pacific brand back in the day, I didn't know what to think. But, after opening this box, I felt a trip back to memory lane and it made me feel all warm inside. Even though Panini never really made a reference between the two sets, those of us who collected in that era and know the product will simply remember the similarities.

Read on to see the rest of my thoughts.

In every box of 2015-2016 Revolution basketball, you will find 8 Packs Per Box with 5 Cards Per Pack. Each box also comes with 7 Parallels, 4 Rookies, and 3 Inserts. No guaranteed hits. It's also been said that 98% of the autographs will be included in the product and that ALL of the autographs in the product are ON-CARD AUTOS! Boxes will run you depending on where you by from $50-$60

Find at least one autograph per inner case.

The base set is simply as I remember it in the 90's, a sparkly masterpiece. There are 150 cards in the base set featuring 100 veterans and 50 rookies. All cards feature vivid foil patterns that parallel out to different levels of rarity. Stay tuned for the parallel version talk after the jump.

Here are the rookies I pulled. Nobody big...right now anyways.

L

You can look for one Cosmic, Sunburst or Futura parallel  per box, all of which are sequentially numbered to 100 or less. Stay tuned for the big boom on that.

I will do my best to explain the parallels, but you are better off going HERE on Panini's blog to see them all. They all have just one tiny difference that is easiest to see on their scans on the link.

Here is a Nova and Infinite parallel both falling at 1:6 packs. Nova is on the left.

More infinite parallels...

More Nova....

Cosmic numbered to 100 pull.

And the huge boom, Futura numbered to 25 of MVP Steph Curry. Man it's a beauty of a card.

My other insert pulls. All of which fit the theme of the overall product.

This one if pretty cool. It's a die cut.

And my box wasn't lucky enough to pull an autograph from. But, you know what? That doesn't bother me. I think the price is reasonable, the cards look nice, and it's built like a 90's product. It's built from the base cards up. The autographs are tougher pulls, but it also adds value to them.

So I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a product. If you are looking for a big pull or per hit box product, well, you may want to look elsewhere. Even though some nice pulls are waiting here. If you are looking for a fun product that will take you down memory lane, well, this if for you.

Small risk, possible good return here. The parallels once figured out, are worth more than you think and even base cards of good players have book value of $1 or more which hasn't happened since the 90's.

Thoughts on this product are appreciated!

REVIEW:2015-2016 Excalibur Basketball

Panini is reeling a 90's revival streak. Excalibur is one of those brands I used to collect back then. Of course with any revival like that, there comes many changes to the original.

Last year, this product was simply just a target exclusive, this year Panini changed things up a bit and made it an hobby exclusive and the gravity feed and blasters remaining just Target exclusives. Wondering if this change will help drive up sales on the product instead of limiting it to just Target.

Let's take a look at my thoughts on the product

In every box of 2015-2016 Excalibur basketball, there are 6 Packs Per Box with 10 Cards Per Pack. You will find Six Rookies and Three Crusade Cards along with Three Autographs or Memorabilia Cards. Each box will run you roughly $95 per box.

The base cards are much different than the football ones I used to collect. No more of the plastic feeling base and more of thinner cardboard approach.The design is a bit funky in the back, but it has the feeling of Excalibur times. There is bronze foil for the players name and brand at the bottom of the card. The team name is a bit out of place in the top left corner and is barely noticeable.

The rookies have the same design as the base except the added blue color at the bottom. The funky design in the back is also different.

Now onto the inserts.

There are simple to define parallels. This is a silver vs a base card. Only difference, name and word Excalibur written in silver and the card is numbered to 70.

Same goes for this Jamfest insert. Regular in bronze, parallel in silver. It appears to me that all of the inserts have numbered parallels. You should find two parallels overall per box.

The theme and simple designs stay true throughout most of the inserts....

except from one of my favorite inserts ever, Crusades which obviously fit the theme but also stand out above the other inserts. These SUPER chromed cards glisten gold in your eyes. You should find three per box with possible parallels. I pulled a red one in my box. There are other parallel chases to Crusade as well.

Now onto the hits.

My first one was a Memorable Memorabilia of Carmelo Anthony. I like the design and layout of the card.

My next pull was a Treasured Ink of Goran Dragic. This is numbered to 249 and still continues the feel of the rest of the product. This card will be in a future giveaway as well.

And my final hit of the box was a Rookie Rampage jersey/auto of Celtics Terry Rozier. These come with a good size swatch. However, autograph placement for me doesn't work here. It needs to be set at the bottom of the card. Looks weird going up. I also couldn't find any numbering on the card either.

There are prime offerings also to be found of these.

Overall, a tough break. Excalibur does have a lot of positives to it, it's just too bad this box couldn't showcase them all. Like I always say, any product is a gamble. Some pay off, some don't. Simply put.

However, one thing that will definitely pay off in a break of this is pulling a Kaboom insert. Those bad boys are rare with only one falling per case and the value of those hold steady over time. Not to mention they are very eye catchy too.

You can see those Kaboom inserts for yourself on this link on the Panini's Knights Lance blog, HERE..

REVIEW:2015-2016 Panini Clear Vision Basketball (GIVEAWAY)

A product that I thought was pretty cool in football, now takes it turn in basketball.

What are my thoughts? Well, follow link to see!

In each hobby box of 2015-2016 Panini Clear Vision there are 5 Packs per box with 4 Cards Per Pack. Each box guarantees 2 Rookies, One Insert, and Two Parallels Per Box. Boxes don't guarantee hits per box and boxes run around $70. This was posted on Panini's Knight's Lance blog on the autographs, "2015-16 Clear Vision Basketball will deliver three autographs per case on average" just to give you some insight.

The base cards in Clear Vision are drastically improved. They remind me more of EX of the late 90's. The player, unlike the football version that printed them on the acetate, is actually printed on cardboard and put on the acetate creating a raised appeal like EX did.

The base set is built of veterans, rookies and rookie revisions totaling 141 cards to collect.

 

Here is a side look at it. I think this drastically improves the look of the base cards.

 

The base rookies have the same design besides the background and have photo variations that fall 1:28 packs.

 

The base cards also include Rookie Revisions that uses player rookie year photos. There are photo variations to these as well. Between rookies and Rookie Revisions there are 36 overall variations to collect. I can't seem to find a gallery to link you to of the variations so I can't tell if I have any either. If you know of one, please comment with it.

 

Parallels are pretty easy to see. As I wanna joke, they are pretty CLEAR to me.

There are Blue #/149, Red #/99, Purple #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1

 

My box had a blue of Kevin Durant

 

And a red of Timberwolves rookie, Nemanja Bjelica

 

I didn't hit an autograph, but you can find CLEAR VISION SIGNATURES which features vets and rookies and VISIONARY SIGNATURES which are legends that also can have short printed variations with inscriptions.

 

There also appears to be no jersey cards in the product but I don't think that hurts it too much.

 

Overall, I like the look of the overall product. Even the autograph offerings look nice. However, I am not quite sold on the price per box vs what you are getting. Seems a bit steep and a big gamble for a product only offering three autos per case. However, that does mean the autographs are actually worth something compared to other products that offer them per box.

I guess for me, I would like to see the box price drop to $50 and then I would be ok taking a gamble especially on a product that looks nice. Other than that, it would be a fun base set to chase down.

Now it's time for the giveaway!

It's as easy as can be to enter to win this Nemanja Bjelica parallel above. Just read and follow these rules:

1. Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Panini America for providing this box for me to review and to host this/these nice giveaways with. Follow them on all social media sites and visit their site, HERE, as well.
2. ***VERY IMPORTANT***MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT to enter or have a shipping address in the U.S. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere.This is always hard to do as I appreciate all readers but I hope you all understand non-U.S. readers.
3. Random winner will be chosen after 7 randoms
4. Card may be shipped PWE. I like to forewarn on this.
5. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW telling me your thoughts on this product
6. EARN AN EXTRA ENTRY FOR SHARING THIS CONTEST ON YOUR BLOG AND/OR ON TWITTER. Make sure to leave your link in comments too so I can count it. If not, I won't be able to give you the credit. Commenting with it is very important or you WILL LOSE OUT an extra entry!
7. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
8. Contest starts today, ends on June 5th 2016. Winner will be announced in a separate post on June 6th 2016. 
9. Don't forget to thank the above sponsor of this contest and I won't mind a thank you as well :)

Good luck to all that enter and thanks for reading!

Nuttin But The Hits:2015-2016 Upper Deck Series 2 Hobby Box (Eichel Sighting/100)

BLOGGERS NOTE: This is a new segment. One thing about my Breakin Wax series was that it was supposed to be a quick breakdown of a box break but instead turned into a full review every time. Yes, I do have reviews but those are specifically for newer releases. So to separate confusion, Nuttin But The Hits will literally be what it says. It's still enjoyable and gets everyone straight to what they wanna see.

• 2015-2016 Upper Deck Series 2 Hobby Box
• 24 Packs Per Box, 8 Cards Per Pack
• One Memorabilia Card Per Box
• Six Young Guns Rookies Per Box
• Four UD Canvas Cards Per Box
• Four UD Portraits Per Box
• Five O-Pee-Chee Update Per Box
• One O-Pee-Chee Rainbow Foil Parallel Per Box
• Two O-Pee-Chee Retro Updates Per Box
• $70 Per Box

My Young Gun finds:
Like my usual Young Gun pulls, nothing too big here.







My rainbow foil O-Pee-Chee update rookie find

My Canvas pulls weren't great so I didn't bother posting those this time same as my UD Portraits. Not sure if in the future of this segment if I will post all of my hits or just key ones.

My jersey card wasn't that great either. I have never pulled anyone big on these. However, I set my new best on a Series 1 and 2 best pull on the next card....

This O-Pee-Chee Update Rookie Black Border #'d 51/100 of hot rookie Jack Eichel. Sharp looking card all around with the throwback design and touch of rainbow foil. Of course as everyone knows, I like shiny things.

Overall, not a horrible break with Eichel saving it in terms of hits. But, with the Young Guns you just never know which rookie will up their game later on. That has happened to me before.

This has always been a product I never mind digging into more than once.

What are your thoughts on this years Upper Deck Series 2? What was your best hit of all time from the product?

REVIEW:2015-2016 Select Basketball (TOP NOTCH BREAK with 1/1)

I had previously only opened one Select product and that was for football. It was an okay break and some spiffy looking cards. However, opening this basketball one, I was blown away.

In every box of 2015-2016 Select basketball, you will find 12 Packs Per Box and 5 Cards Per Pack. You will also find Three Autographs or Memorabilia Per Box along with Twelve Prizms with some of those being  numbered. Boxes will run you roughly $135.

Select features three 100-card base sets that are unique in design and scarcity. Look for the Courtside Base Set that falls two per box on average. New to this year is twenty cards in the Courtside Base Set that features players with their rookie year teams and photography! 

With so much to chase and try to put together, this to me as a set collector is a dream.

Here are the designs broken down for you.

- BASE SET - CONCOURSE


- BASE SET - COURTSIDE


- BASE SET - PREMIER LEVEL

Now onto the many inserts. Well, parallels.

You get up to 12 Prizm parallels per box mixed with those many base card set chases. To make it easier on you guys and myself, I am just going to list the parallels right here and then have you enjoy the gallery after.

Concourse Prizms: Silver Prizms, Tri-Color Prizms, Blue Prizms #/249, Red Prizms #/149, Orange Prizms #/60, Tie-Dye Prizms #/25, Pink Prizms (#/20 - 2016 Industry Summit), Gold Prizms #/10, Green Prizms #/5, Black Prizms 1/1 

Premier Level Prizms: Silver Prizms Die Cut, Tri-Color Prizms Die-Cut, Light Blue Prizms Die-Cut #/199, Purple Prizm Die-Cut #/99, Tie-Dye Prizms Die-Cut #/25, Gold Prizms Die-Cut #/10, Green Prizms Die-Cut #/5, Black Prizms Die-Cut 1/1 

Courtside Prizms: Silver Prizms, Copper Prizms #/49, Tie-Dye Prizms #/25, Gold Prizms #/10, Green Prizms #/5, Black Prizms 1/1

Groovy man!

And boom! Gold Prizm /10 of Spurs Kawhi Leonard

Back of the card. 10/10 at that!

I was a big fan of all of these parallels. Would make for a fun rainbow chase of your favorite player.

Up next, the hits! It went big here too just like with the Leonard gold.

First, a Sparks Memorabilia card of John Wall. Cool concept and design.  There are Prizm parallels of these too that I bet really spark(le).

My first autograph pull is a Die Cut rookie auto Wave Prizm of Pat Connaughton numbered to 10! That makes two cards numbered to 10 in this box. Can that be beat?? Well....

You bet it can!!

BIG BOOM! A Die Cut autograph Power Prizm 1/1 of Norman Powell!

Back of the card

Great break right?????? This wasn't the first great break I have seen of this product either. I visited a few other sites to see if this was a rare case and it wasn't.

Overall, this is powerful product with lots to offer. If you love chasing base sets, collecting rookie cards, PARALLEL chasing, nice looking autograph cards then this product is for you. The price per box isn't too bad either compared to a few other higher end Panini products I broke recently on here. This box provided much more boom than those did.

To see other images of what the product offers that way it draws you in even more, I strongly suggest you go follow this LINK and check out the Panini's Knight's Lance blog for visuals.