Random Wax: 2017-2018 Contenders Basketball

17-18 Contenders:  This is the second time I've pulled this Kobe Bryant die-cut card.  The last time was six years ago.  The link to the post is here.  What are the odds?  I threw this one up on eBay and it sold quickly for $43.  There's even more to this story which I'll detail below.

I like this set, and I think I grabbed it as part of a bigger BlowoutCards.com order.  The funny part is I missed the pack when I opened the box and completely whiffed on the fact I'd ordered it.  It wasn't until a month later that I found it while breaking down the box.  When is Porzingas coming back?  My fantasy team really needs the help.

I really like the Most Valuable Contenders inserts and this one brought backs lots of memories when the Warriors were on that run with KD.  I've always had pretty good luck with packs or blasters from this set.  You can see all my posts from this set here (same as the first link in this post).

For an eight-card pack, this was a big win.  Great pull obviously.  And this Steph Curry card?  The second I've pulled.  I pulled one from a fat pack in 2024. Lots of fun here with the story and the cards.

BREAKDOWN:
8 – Total Cards
1 – Superstar Die-Cut
1 – Most Valuable Contenders

Random Wax: 2017-2018 Contenders Basketball w/Auto

I'm a big fan of these 2017-2018 Panini Contenders basketball cards and didn't pass up a random pack when I found it.  I enjoy the design and star power this set delivers so I'll probably always gravitate towards them.  This year's set comes out just after Christmas and hopefully I'll be lucky enough to pick some up so thereafter.

Anthony Davis is a stud and fun to watch so I was happy to grab not one but three of his cards.  This set has variations of some of the players on base cards which have a different photo on the front.  Fun finds in the pack.

 

A ton of star power here.  I was amazed pulling big name after big name.  

Another A.D. card!  Some nice inserts in this set as well.

My auto was Dakota Mathias who did not catch on with an NBA team and signed to play with a Spanish team. 

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards

2 – Retired Greats

1 – Game Ticket Red Parallel

1 – Winning Tickets

1 – Playing the Numbers Game

1 – Hall of Fame

1 – Rookie Ticket Autograph

2017-2018 Contenders Basketball Blaster Box

I already picked up a pack of these in March and couldn't resist picking up a blaster box of 2017-2018 Contenders Basketball.  I pulled an auto in the Contenders Draft Picks brand last fall.  No auto this time but I did grab a Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch Markelle Fultz/Donovan Mitchell card.  Great card.  It looks pretty cool and Mitchell is a about as hot as any rookie out there right now.  I probably won't hang on to the card long as it'll probably end up on eBay or as trade bait but it is super nice pull.  

  Grabbing a Blazer is always a win as is personal favorite Kawhi Leonard on this Winning Ticket insert.  The Die Cut Kobe isn't bad.  I like the colors and the card looks cool even if die cuts aren't a favorite of mine.

A pretty decent pull.  I thought there were plenty of stars and the inserts were pluses for me. 

 I do wish there were more retired greats, maybe as base cards, but I'll always take the ones I do get and be very happy.  And how can you not like Grant Hill?

Overall a really fun box.  I'll always grab more of these when I can.  You don't get a ton of cards but I do like the base cards and inserts.  With a guarantee of  an auto or relic the price tag on these blasters is a bit more palatable.  

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards (2 Red Parallels)

2 – Winning Tickets

2 – Hall of Fame Contenders (1 – Retired Great)

1 – Superstar Die-Cuts

1 – Front Row Seat

1 – Playing the Numbers Game

1 – Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch

2017-2018 Contenders Basketball

Been looking forward to the 2017-2018 Contenders basketball since I enjoyed the 2017-2018 Contenders Draft Picks cards.  Another nice set of cards I like.  While similar to the last set it has the "ticket info" in a vertical alignment on the side this time as opposed to at the bottom.  The photos aren't full bleed with the backgrounds highlighted in a team color putting the player front and center.  The numbers on the front relate to the player's weight (Section), height in inches (row) and jersey number (seat).  Also has a nice team logo.  I'm happy with these cards and the design.    

 The backs duplicate the photo from the front which is now completely shaded in team color.  No stats here.  Instead you'll see a write-up.  I like these backs though a few stats wouldn't have hurt.  

The Porzingis card is a Game Ticket card.  I've even seen these specific cards listed as parallels but since they have a different name it seems appropriate to be it's own card.  Besides the difference in card name the other difference is the lettering on the front is not in silver foil but in red foil.  Can't really make it out on the scan I know.  The Winning Tickets card isn't bad but the photos are really small and it looks like a stamp.  Probably my one negative here is the lack of retired greats in my pull.  They were prominent in the Draft Contenders blaster I opened (6) which as a big plus for me.

Player's photos have them in their new team's jersey which is good.  I was happy with my pull.  Plenty of stars and no duplicates.  The Draft Contenders autograph I pulled came from a blaster box.  I really wanted to grab one today but found both these and the new Prestige cards so I decided to grab both as opposed to just a blaster box which guarantees an auto or relic.  Blasters contain 40 cards.  I'll pick up more of these as again I like these cards.  

BREAKOUT:

44 – Total Cards (2 Packs)

2 – Winning Tickets

2 – Playing the Numbers Game

2 – Game Ticket Parallel