Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

20-21 Hoops:  Play in games start today so let's get some basketball in.  Two years later and I'm just getting this pack on here.  We'll kick it off with my favorite player in the game today, Kawhi.  He's really looking good after a slow start upon returning from injury.  Between injuries to him and Paul George it's hard to get a good gauge on the Clippers but I do think they can make some noise if they are both healthy.

A couple of inserts here that I like. The Lakers made a late charge in the season to make the playoffs while the Mavericks decided to tank the last weekend in hopes of a good draft pick.  

Nice alternate uni for Draymond.  Kyle Lowry was traded to the Heat but his time in Miami hasn't been that memorable while Lonzo Ball has dealt with injuries since going to the Bulls playing only 35 games in two seasons.

A really nice Teal Explosion parallel of Jayson Tatum.  He and the Celtics go into the playoffs as the #2 seed and have as good a shot as any team in the Eastern Conference.

Brandon Ingram really flies under the radar in New Orleans but is a big reason the Pelicans are as good as they are.  Looking forward to the playoffs - not play in games which are total nonsense to me even if the Hawks are in them.  Speaking of they'll play the Heat in Miami tonight in the first play in game.  Great photo of Jimmy Bulter by the way.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
1 – Vanity Plates
1 – Teal Explosion
1 – Frequent Flyers
1 – Lights Camera Action

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

20-21 Hoops:   I know I've been away this month.  I'll say the flu was the real deal.  Swept through our house and didn't want to go away but ready for Christmas.  Lots of great NBA this week and on Christmas day so we'll do a pack of Hoops.  Didn't really become a Garnett fan until after he retired but I do like this guy.  He was so good and combined with the cool SLAM insert this is a win and great way to start.

I always enjoy Hoops.  All three of these guys are having "bounce back" seasons in some way shape or form.  Actually picked this pack up in early 2021 and just now posting.  Always fun looking to go down memory lane.

Patrick Williams is the one player of this trio who has done well.  I think the Bulls would still like to see more from him but he has done okay.

No complaints with my pull.  Plenty of star power and a nice purple parallel of Embiid.

I really like these jersey swap cards.  Just fun moments and these are two of the brightest in the sport.  We'll end it with Dame who I love.  He's having another great year, just became the Trail Blazers all-time scorer and has Portland as the #7 seed in the West as it sits today.  I like the design on this card as well.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
1 – Jersey Swap
1 – Slam Magazine
1 – Frequent Flyers
1 – Purple Parallel

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

20-21 Hoops:  Excited for the NBA season to start and I'm always excited about these SLAM inserts. Great look and fun cards.  Can Ja Morant and the Grizzlies get back to the Conference Finals after a surprising run last year?  That's the big question Memphis fans are asking.

Some great scorers here with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.  Victor Oladipo gave the Heat a nice boost after coming back from injuries last season.  Be curious how close to his old self he can be after a healthy off season.

Jaden McDaniels was solid for Memphis last year while the Hawks are wondering if Okongwu is their center of the future after a nice bump in production in season number two for him.  

I like this Lights Camera Actions design with the star.  Another nice SLAM card and a great player in Luka.  Dallas didn't make any huge moves in the off season so I'm curious where they go from here.  And everyone is wondering who Ben Simmons is and what he can be in the Brooklyn offense when fully engaged.

I really like Demar DeRozan and I was really happy to see him do so well in his first season with Chicago.  We'll end it with James Harden.  No longer a Rocket and has made his way to the 76ers via the Nets.  Can he and Embiid take Philly to the next level?  I'm not sure but they should be fun to watch.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
1 – Purple Parallel
2 – Slam Magazine
1 – Lights Camera Action

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

2020-2021 Hoops:  Finals start tonight so here we go.  This guy will make a huge difference in how this plays out.  He's playing crazy good this playoff season.

I had better pulls in packs but Steph, LeBron, Beal and a Giannis insert help bail this one out.  Lavine had another really good year and will be a free agent at age 26 this offseason.  He should be in high demand.   

LaMelo was the big chase in this set.  He had a great year two in the league and at age 20 is poised to be a star for years to come.

Always enjoy Lights Camera Action inserts.

A few guys that don't get to be shown off very often.

I like these inserts.  Just needed a bit more pizzaz for a "Vanity Plate".  Playoffs have been great so far so I'm excited for some more good play this series. 

BREAKDOWN:

30 – Total Cards

6 – RC

1 – Arriving Now

1 – Vanity Plates

1 – Teal Explosion

1 – Lights Camera Action

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

2020-2021 Hoops Basketball:  Some great basketball playoffs this year.  This guy feels like a one man band in Dallas.  You have to think that if he ever gets some real help around him maybe they can make a deep run in the playoffs.  Not saying I'm giving up on this team as constructed but it seems like a stretch to see them get past the Suns.

Pretty good pull in this pack.  Giannis is having another great post season while Harris and the 76ers are in a dogfight with the Heat in their series.

Seven RC cards in this pack.

The top two from the 2019 draft.  I'm not a Zion guy but would like to see him back on the court and proving me wrong.  Ja is a beast.  I hope his injury from the weekend isn't that bad.  The series with the Warriors has been fun to watch.  These jersey swap inserts are pretty cool.

Good pack of cards and we'll finish it off with this Steph Curry Slam insert.  Love the Slam cards.  

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
7 – RC
1 – Jersey Swap
1 – Class of 2020
1 – Teal Explosion
1 – Slam Magazine

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball Winter Blaster

 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball:  Donovan Mitchell is sooo good.  Problem is most folks don't think about him when they think of the top players in the league.  Part of that might be due to playing in Utah and the fact they haven't gotten by past the semis in their recent run of five straight appearances in the playoffs.  Wasn't this guys fault.  This year's he averaging 25 points per game and has averaged 23 points for his career.  And he is only 25.

This is the winter version of Hoops but it's way too subtle.  They don't need to go all Topps Christmas on the design but you can barely see the snow flakes on these.  And why not make it more pronounced?

If you are going to call this a vanity plate make it a little gaudy.  Hoops could can done so much more with these inserts.  A play on their name or nickname.  Special photo.  State outline/background.  Something.

Looking back at that Harden card, one it is a great shot and two who woulda thunk he'd be on his second team since being on the Rockets.  Dame!

The Rookie Sweater Relic is the hit for these blasters.  Xavier Tillman hasn't found his footing for Memphis though the Grizzlies have made a huge leap forward this year and are currently third in the Western Conference.

Frequent Flyers is good looking insert but the Slam magazine inserts are my favorite as they are for many collectors.  The Arriving Now inserts fall short though for me though.

I like these inserts.  You get some diverse players and it's fun seeing them have fun with something like a jersey swap.

I sure hope James Wiseman becomes something.  It feels like I pulled a ton of his cards.  Fun box of cards.  The pull may not be one of my best overall but still lots of cards I'm very happy about.

BREAKDOWN:
88 – Total Cards
23 – RC
2 – Vanity Plates
2 – Slam Magazine
2 – Purple Parallel
2 – Lights Camera Action
1 – Frequent Flyers
1 – Jersey Swap
1 – Arriving Now
1 – Frequent Flyers
1 – Rookie Sweaters

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball Winter Blaster

2020-2021 Hoops:  Hoping Milwaukee can close things out tonight but in no way am I counting the Suns out of this thing.  Back in March it felt like I hit the lottery when I found these on the shelves.  At the time of my first post I didn't even know I had the winter Hoops cards...heck I didn't even know there was a winter version.  Love this Jimmy Butler photo.

Great pull here.  Was really excited to grab a Lillard.  That Harden photo is pretty cool too.

My rookie pull was headlined by LeMelo who won Rookie of the Year for his fine season.  I thought Anthony Edwards might sneak in and pull it off but it wasn't to be.  Williams had a good year for the Bulls and Haliburton looks to be an up and comer after a really nice year with the Kings.

I think these are pretty cool inserts.  We don't see it on the court all the time but these guys have lots of love for each other and at the end of the day most are big fans of the game just like us. 

Lights Camera Action is a favorite insert from the set.  

Rookie Sweater Relics and autos are possible in the blasters and I pulled this relic.  Avdija averaged six points and 4 boards a game in his rookie season.

It's great to see Khris Middleton get some props during the Finals.  He really is a good second to Giannis.  He can handle the ball and has a sweet shot.

Ja Morant had a good second season in the NBA.  I'm sure everyone would like to see him get better shooting the three but he's still a star on the rise.

Simmons may have to get new plates if he is traded this offseason though his shooting woes and salary will make him tough to move.  Love these Slam inserts.  I'm really wanting to collect the set but the current prices make that a tough road to hoe.  We'll see.  This was a fun box.  Go Bucks!

BREAKDOWN: 
88 – Total Cards
22 – RC
3 – Lights Camera Action
2 – Frequent Flyers
2 – Purple Parallel
1 – Jersey Swap
1 – Arriving Now
1 – Vanity Plates
1 – Slam Magazine
1 – Rookie Sweaters