Random Wax: 2023-2024 Haunted Hoops - 5 Packs

23-24 Haunted Hoops:   Anthony Edwards is only 25 and already a 2X All-NBA selectee.  He's averaging 24/5/4 on 36% long range shooting in his 6-season career.  I can't wait to see what the T-Wolves look like with newest addition LaMelo Ball.

Chris Paul retired after last season.  His 21-season Hall of Fame career saw him be a 11X All-NBA selection leading the league in assists 5X and steals 6X.  He was also a 9X All-Defensive Team member.  These cards are sold in "bundles" which have 20 packs with 3 cards per pack.

Jeremy Sochan saw his time on the court dwindle in San Antonio after being an All-Rookie selection and was traded to the New York mid-season.  While he only averaged 2 points a game for the Knicks, he did take home a championship ring.  We see Slime and Orange parallels here.  Slime is my favorite.  Orange is a bit dull. 

Trae Young will play his first full season with the Washington Wizards who also acquired Anthony Davis and selected AJ Dybantsa with the #1 pick in the NBA draft.  These are always fun cards and perfect for the season.

BREAKDOWN:
15 – Total Cards
3 – Orange
2 – RC
2 – Slime
1 – Rising Stars

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Haunted Hoops Bundle

 23-24 Haunted Hoops:  Dame should be back on the court in 2026-2027.  His time with Milwaukee was short and not that great unfortunately.  Hopefully he'll retire a Trail Blazer now.  Him being in Portland is just right even if he's 35 and nearing the twilight of his career.

It's Friday the 13th so fun sets like this are perfect.  Zion is having a good year but he's still one of the biggest enigmas in the sport.  You get a mix of Slime and Orange parallels in the set along with the standard white boardered cards.

Youngsters are highlighted on Rising Stars and base RC cards.  Brandon Miller and Chet Holmgren are stars in the league now.

Zach Lavine is a Sacramento King now and out for the rest of season with injury.  Anfernee Simons is a Bull after a short stop in Boston.

Holiday was traded to Portland in the deal that sent Simons to Boston.  Murray was traded to New Orleans but has been out all season with injury.  De'Aaron Fox is now with San Antonio and Wemby.  So much movement in the NBA.

BREAKDOWN:
60 – Total Cards (20 Packs)
15 – RC
12 – Orange
7 – Slime
4 – Rising Stars

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Hoops Winter Holiday Blaster

23-24 Winter Basketball:  Happy Thanksgiving!  No denying Trae Young's talent. He's averaged 25 PPG and almost 10 APG for his career.   The Hawks have made one appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals with Young leading the charge.  Still hoping they can get things figured out this year and make a good run in the playoffs.

2023-2024 Hoops is a solid design and we get a Winter variation as seen here.  All three of these guys are on new teams - Warriors, Spurs, 76ers - respectively.  The Spurs have taken their game to a new level.

Speaking of the Spurs, the largest reason for their success is Wemby.  He's having a career best year and again is the early season favorite to be the Defensive Player of the Year.

We need a better background on these Rookie Greetings cards but the snowflakes really do help the look.

A couple of Skyview inserts and the perplexing Pure Players insert.  No complaints about my pull on these though Ja has had a rough start to his season.

All three of these are really good young players in the league.  The Murphy III and Green photos are nice.

More youngsters including a Rookie Sweaters Relic.  That Coulibaly Arriving Now is a Holo Parallel.

Great to see Nikola Jokic on this Dynamos insert.

We'll end it with Hoops Tribute that includes another Wemby sighting and a retired great.  I really liked my pull in this blaster.  Everybody have a great holiday!

BREAKDOWN:

90 – Total Cards

16 – RC

5 – Hoops Tribute

4 – Arriving Now

2 – Skyview

2 – Rookie Greetings

1 - Dynamos

1 – Holo Parallel

1 – Pure Players

1 – Retired Great

1 – Purple Parallel

1 – Rookie Sweaters Relic

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Hoops

23-24 Hoops:   Stephen Curry is 37 this year and still playing at crazy good level.  This is his 17th year in the NBA and it's just amazing what he's done and how he's influenced how the game is played.  I'm still not a fan of Pure Players inserts but I'm a fan of Steph so I'm good here.

This is one of those small 8-card packs.  Not sure where I picked it up in March of 2024.  Good pull considering its size.  Jalen Johnson is an emerging star in Atlanta averaging 20 and 9 this year.  The Pelicans are a dumpster fire, but sharpshooter Trey Murphy III will be part of any success they might have in future.  Jalen Green is now in Phoenix as part of the KD trade and has dealt with lots of injuries so far this season.  He's averaged 20 PPG for his career.

The backs of the base cards are pretty boring in their black and white glory but there is a team logo.  It's one positive.  The back of the Pure Players are colorful and look good.

Fun pack.  These small ones can really be hit or miss but no complaints here.

BREAKDOWN:

8 – Total Cards

1 – RC

1 – Pure Players

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Haunted Hoops Bundle

 23-24 Haunted Hoops: These are just fun, and we'll kick it off with Paolo Banchero.  Sounds like the Magic will acquire Desmond Bane which will help their offense and maybe help them in the Eastern Conference title conversation.  Banchero did his part this season averaging 25 PPG, 7 RPG, and 4 APG.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs failed to get past the first round in this year's playoffs.  Will they make big moves to try and get better?  Or with Boston expected to not be as good, just run it back?  Can't wait for the fun of the offseason to start.  Here we see two Orange Parallel cards.  Instead of diamonds, it should have been pumpkins on the border.

The young players get to shine on Rising Stars and RC cards.  All three of these guys have done well in the NBA.  Of course, Chet Holmgren and OKC were stars of the playoffs this year.

The backs are fine with plenty of color and a big logo.  We also get some more Halloween goodness with the pumpkin.

Can't wait to get Jalen Johnson back from injury.  Not sure the Hawks will be a lot better but he's one of the few things they have to cheer about.  These cards come three to a pack with 40 packs in a "bundle" which is what you'll find in the store.

We get a Slime Parallel Cameron Johnson.  I hope we see more of this kind of special set in the future.  I get they are niche and cheap, but they are fun.

BREAKDOWN:
60 – Total Cards (20 Packs)
26 – RC
25 – Orange
6 – Rising Stars
5 – Slime

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Hoops

 23-24 Hoops: NBA Finals start tonight!  Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers have made an unlikely run to the Finals, but it is well deserved.  He's a 2X All-Star, 2X All-NBA, and former assist leader.  He's also fun to watch and I expect plenty of great moments from him in this series.

Brunson did his part in the Eastern Conference Finals averaging over 30 points per game.  In the end turnovers and the Knicks' porous defense did them in.

Amen Thompson averaged 14 points per game, 8 rebounds per game and almost 4 assists per game as one of the nice young core the Rockets have put together.

Buddy Hield is no longer a Pacer, but does look sharp on the Teal Explosion Parallel.  We also get a Purple Parallel Hoops Tribute Vince Carter.  I really like the color synergy on both those parallels.

Scoot and this Rookie Greetings design have been underwhelming but I still have hope for Scoot.

Always fun to pull a KG card and Hoops Tribute cards are fan favorites that include current players and retired greats.

Great looking LeBron photo on his card.  I totally get those who choose him as the winner of this pack.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
3 – Hoops Tribute
1 – Arriving Now
1 – Purple Parallel
1 – Rookie Greetings
1 – Teal Explosion Parallel

Random Wax: 2023-2024 Hoops Blaster

23-24 Hoops:  Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets won a hard pressed seven game series with the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.  And for all their hard work they get the buzz saw that is the Oklahoma City Thunder.  MVP will be announced on the June 26th NBA awards show but I still think Jokic is the MVP.  Top three in points, rebounds and assists per game.  Mind blowing stats never before accomplished.

Good Hoops design on this set and this blaster had a nice pull.  That Tatum photo really works with the green advertising in the back emphasizing the Celtics colors.

Brandin Podziemski has done well with the Warriors and averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game this season.  The Arriving Now design is okay but feels like it needs more.

This Greetings From design also needs help.  It does not scream postcard.

Siakam is now a Pacer while Jimmy Butler is a Warrior.  The rumor is Markkanen will be on the move this offseason.  We've heard that before so take it with a grain of salt.

Some of my inserts.  All have varying degrees of appeal.  Dynamos has very little and Pure Players is a mystery to me though I like the look of this Stephen Curry card.

Trey Murphy had a great season averaging 21 points per game on 36% shooting from deep, but again had health issues playing only 56 games.  Nice photo too.

Lots of star power here.

Four Hoops Tribute cards.  Good looking design and plenty of great players including retired greats.  Fun box of cards in time for more second round playoff round games this weekend.

BREAKDOWN:
90 – Total Cards
15 – RC
5 – Hoops Tribute
3 – Blue Parallel
2 - Skyview
2 – Purple Parallel
1 - Dynamos
1 – Greetings
1 – Pure Players
1 – Retired Great
1 – Arriving Now