Panini has some interesting product names when a new one releases. Some are funny, some are weird and some are obvious. I put essentials as an obvious. Because what collector wouldn't want a product they may find to be essential to collect.
This product to me after ripping a couple of packs reminds me of 2017 Panini Illusions football with it's design and themes. It also reminds me of a couple strong late 90's products. Let's take a look at why.
Every box of 2017-2018 Essentials Basketball has 10 packs of 6 cards each. You will find two autographs per box along with inserts and parallels. Boxes run around $120.
Okay. Let's take a look at the base cards. They both are very reminiscent of both Panini Illusions football late 90's Flair. Same kind of card stock, layout and design. I really like it.
There are 200 cards in the base set including veterans,
And rookies. Here are some of the key rookie cards I found in my break.
As with any new product, there are parallels to be found. The difference between the base and parallels are the backgrounds and name color.
Red are the most common find and are not numbered.
I cannot figure out this one. It's not numbered so it can't be silver. If you know what this one is just comment below so I can update the post.
Here are the silvers however. They are numbered to 99.
Other parallels to find in the product include
- Retail
- Green
- Orange
- Red
- Spiral
- Platinum SSP
- Silver /99
- Purple 1/1.
As we move onto the inserts we find out there are 11 of them to find. Some of the designs remind of me of inserts in UD HoloGrfx product. They do all have the Flair look however.
Surprisingly, no inserts have parallels.
Kings Of The Court of course celebrate the guys who rock it and know how to put up the rock.
Indispensable Rookie are the top rookies in the game.
Swish Kings. Well, that's obvious
Future Legends are the key rookies in the game that have the most potential to be future stars.
Indispensable Stars. Those guys on the teams they couldn't live without.
Franchise Foundation. Those guys you can build your team around.
Dynamic Duos. The best teammates in the game.
There are other inserts to find as well. Many are SSP.
Now onto my hits.
First find was this Destined For Greatness Signature of Brandon Ingram redemption card. Ugh. Redemptions.
My second was this Glorified Signatures Artis Gilmore /35. Pretty sweet looking card I must say.
Other hits not found in my box include,
- Rookie Autos
- Called to Excellence Autographs
- Claim to Fame Signatures
- Glorified Signatures
- True Potential Signatures
OVERALL: I loved the design and themes throughout the product. Honestly the price point isn't even that terrible. It was my pulls. They were not the best. I do like the design of the Gilmore pull but it isn't going to pull back what was paid for the box.
However, from a collector standpoint, which I consider myself in that part all the time, the product is a lot of fun and looks great. It's something I would like to see being brought over to the football land.
Here is the complete checklist for Essentials basketball. Check it out
HERE.
Now a chance to throw your name in the hat to win the REDEMPTION CODE off from the Brandon Ingram autograph card.
To win this card above with some bonus cards, please read and follow the instructions
- CONTEST IS OPEN TO U.S. AND NON U.S. READERS!!!!
- REMEMBER, you are winning the code. Not the card. The card will not be shipped.
- TO ENTER, simply just leave me your thoughts on this product.
- Contest winner will have 72 hours after the winner announcement to claim or it goes back into the prize pot.
- Make sure to thank Panini and Tracy Hackler for their generosity!
- Contest starts today and will end on June 21st 2018. Winner will be announced shortly after.
- Once you enter this contest, you agree to all terms above.
A big thanks goes out to Panini America for the box to review. Without their support with these reviews giveaways wouldn't be possible. Check them out at
Panini America website and follow them on all social media sites. Please let Tracy Hackler and Panini know your thanks so we can continue to host giveaways like this or bigger ones!
