Random Wax: 2021-2022 Contenders

21-22 Contenders:   DeMar Derozan doesn't wow folks, but he does so many things well.  He has a great mid-range shot, shoots a good percentage, and is really good at getting his own shot.  He doesn't shoot the 3 at high rate or percentage but he's a guy you want on your team.  Now 36, he's averaged 21 points per game over his career and is a 3X All-Pro and 6X All-Star.  He's with the Kings now and also one of my favorites in the game.

We have two International Tickets and a 2021 Draft Class insert.  Johnson was a great find by the Hawks with the 20th pick of that draft.  He's averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds this season.  

I like Contenders but this design wasn't their best leaving very little space for the photo.

The backs are fine with plenty of color.

Great pull in this pack.  Luka and the Lakers are off to a hot start even though he's missed time with injury.  Fun pack and it's been a fun season so far.

BREAKDOWN:
22 – Total Cards
1 – 2021 Draft Class
1 – International Ticket
1 – Bronze Game Ticket

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Contenders Basketball

21-22 Contenders:  Tonight is the NBA draft.  Steph Curry was taken 7th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.  James Harden, Steph, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and Blake Griffin were the highlights from that draft.

Speaking of that draft and Harden and Jrue.  Kawhi was taken 15th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.  

RJ Barrett has become a solid shooting guard in the league.  Last season he averaged 20 points per game shooting 36% from deep.

Donovan Mitchell was taken 13th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft which also featured Jayson Tatum, De'Aaron Fox, Derrick White and Bam Adebayo.

Paul George was picked 10th overall in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft.  Will he still be a Clipper next season?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Joker was taken with the 11th pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.  Definition of a steal.  Outside of games played in 20-21, he has not led the league in a major statistical category.  Joel Embiid and Julius Randle were also highlights of the 2014 draft.  Here's to hoping the Atlanta Hawks just don't screw up the #1 pick in the draft tonight.

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards

1 – 2021 Draft Class

1 – Game Night Ticket

1 – Green Game Ticket

1 – International Ticket

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Contenders Basketball

21-22 Contenders:   I like Contenders and here's a design I like. Not my favorite but it's good.  Can never go wrong with Dame so we'll kick it off with the now Milwaukee Buck.

Really nice pull.  100 base cards in the set helps.  Jimmy Butler is also a favorite of mine  but you can't go wrong with AD or the KAT.

Corey Kispert has averaged 10 points a game for his career while Cameron "Cam" Thomas is having a breakout year with the Nets averaging 22 a game.  The Joker needs no introduction as maybe the best player in the league.

Nice backs.  Always want more stats but I like the color and big logo.  

None of these three play for the same team but all three are succeeding with Houston, Boston, and Utah, respectively.  Doncic is amazing as ever.  Mavs aren't quite as dominant.  Interesting to see Mark Cuban sell the Mavericks while retaining basketball operations control.

BREAKDOWN:
22 – Total Cards
2 – 2021 Draft Class
1 – International Ticket
1 – Green Parallel Game Ticket

 

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Contenders Basketball

21-22 Contenders:  Sweet 16 baby!  Devin Booker and the Suns are hoping the addition of Kevin Durant will put them over the top.  But don't overlook Booker.  I tend to but then see him play and go yeah, this guy is amazing.

KAT has been hurt most of the season but somehow the Timberwolves are still right there in the playoff hunt.  Joel Embiid will give Nikola Jokic a run for the MVP this year but I still think The Joker wins his third in a row.

Fun seeing retired greats like Vlade Divac here.  Santi Aldama is a solid player for Memphis averaging nine points per game but a guy whose name I didn't recognize.

Showing off the backs for a change of pace.  Ja Morant is a great of the game but has to figure out some things off the court.  Ingram is having another excellent year for the Pelicans who have struggled again with Zion out with injury.  And Luka is just amazing.  It does feel like he plays out of control at times but it works for him.

Middleton needs to find his groove again after his shooting has fell off this year.  Speaking of Zion...   And Rudy Gobert has struggled with Minnesota after they traded away a ton to get him.  I always enjoy Contenders and this was another fun pack.

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards

2 – 2021 Draft Class

1 – Retired Great

1 – Bronze Game Ticket

1 – International Ticket

2021-2022 Contenders Basketball Blaster with Autograph

2021-2022 Contenders Basketball:  I was happy to find this on the local shelves since I'm a Contenders fan.  I'll kick this off with Kawhi Leonard, my favorite player in the NBA.  I know he was injured this year but he is only 30 so I'm hoping he can come back to be the dominant force he's always been.  Just gotta stay healthy and be on the court.

I think I still like last year's design better than this one even with that smaller photo last season.  This year's design brings back the background behind the player which I like.  Last year's didn't have it but it worked.  One hundred base cards here which means a pretty good pull especially in a blaster.  These three help highlight how good it can be.

Kessler Edwards is my auto from this blaster.  Never complain about pulling autos but this guy has a long ways to go to make this card a great pull.  Mitchell on the other hand had a solid season with the Kings averaging 11 ppg and 4 apg.  I like that Miami Heat jersey on this card.  More so than when I saw it on television.  

A couple Giannis cards help highlight the International Ticket inserts which also included a retired great.  I always liked AK-47.  So good defensively.

Many thought Embiid should have been the MVP this year.  I'm on board with Jokic winning but you have to think Embiid will grab one of those in his career.  Love seeing big men dominating in the league.

The backs have a good visual appeal with lots of color.  But I'll never understand why we are still seeing total stats on NBA cards.  Everything is about per game average in the NBA and the numbers we see here should reflect that.

This was a fun box.  Lots of good players and a brand I'm a fan of.  I've got some packs of these I'll show off in the future and I  think I'll grab more if I see them in the wild.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards

2 – Red Game Ticket 

2 – Game Night Ticket

2 – International Ticket

1 – Retired Great

1 – 2021 Draft Class

1 – Rookie Ticket Autograph