Random Wax: 2020-2021 Illusions Basketball

20-21 Illusions:  Some of Donovan Mitchell's numbers are down slightly this season but the Cavs are the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference.  I hope they do well in the playoffs.  They have a solid starting five who are obviously gelling this season.

I have a soft spot for Illusions, especially some of the older designs.  First time I'm showing this pack and wow does it age well.  Mitchell has raised his game, Morant is one of the most athletic players in the sport and Doncic is still crazy good and now a Laker.

We get retired greats on some of the inserts.  These Living Legends aren't my favorites but I'm not complaining.

The Saddiq Bey is an Orange Parallel.  This pack only had 12 cards but I'm definitely happy with it.  I also get a nice Trae Young pull.  The Hawks will likely be in the play in tourney, but they aren't that good this season so I'm not really sure what to expect out of them in the playoffs. 

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
3 – RC
1 – Retired Great
1 – Living Legends
1 – Orange Parallel

  

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Illusions Basketball

20-21 Illusions: Conference Finals start tonight so it has to be basketball today.  This guy will play a big part in whether or not the Boston Celtics can get past the Miami Heat who are gritty and hot right now.  Their series starts tomorrow night

Kawhi, Paul George and the Clippers suffered another "what if?" season as the duo dealt with injuries throughout the year and playoffs.  Next year?  Who knows...

I like these cards showcasing players who have gone from one team to another.

Marcus Smart is one of the key players for Boston just as Kyle Lowry is for the Heat.  Lowry has to help make up for some of the points and playmaking lost due to injuries.  So far he has had some nice moments in the playoffs and will need to keep that up if Miami is to have a chance against the Celtics.

BREAKDOWN
12 – Total Cards
2 – RC
1 – Living Legend
1 – Career Lineage

 

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Illusions Basketball

20-21 Illusions: Hope everyone is enjoying the tourney so we'll keep the basketball coming.  Rose is in the twilight of his career but he was an MVP in only his third season though injuries soon stole his explosiveness.

Tobias Harris isn't the player he once was.  With Harden on the team it feels like he gets lost in the mix.  Kyrie is Kyrie.  We'll see how the Dallas experiment goes.  Dallas has struggled early after his arrival.  And Ben Simmons seems like a guy who'll never find his way.  Shame.

An orange parallel here.  Aleskej Pojusevski is a guy I've never heard of but has averaged 8 points a game for the Thunder over three seasons.  Campazzo and Maledon are still not prominent players for their teams.

Lauri Markkanen has always been a nice stretch 4 but dude found another gear with the Utah Jazz.  He wowed at the All-Star game and is averaging 24 PPG, 8 RPG while shooting 40% on seven three point attempts a game.  Chris Paul doesn't look like himself this year.  Time may have caught up to him.  He's not as involved in the game and I've seen teams pretty much not guard him.  Don't want to miss Porter and Johnson who are bothing having really good years.  Fun pack of cards!

BREAKDOWN:

15 – Total Cards

3 – RC

1 – Orange Parallel

2020-2021 Illusions Basketball Blaster with Autograph

2020-2021 Illusions Basketball:  Found some new basketball cards on the shelves in the delayed release of 2020-2021 Illusions which barely hit the stores before 2021 ended.  Unlike Chronicles these flew off the shelves so I'm glad I grabbed a box.  Kawhi Leonard is a classic "what if he had stayed healthy?" guy.  I'm still a big fan and he's only 29 with plenty of years ahead of him as he is surely headed to the Hall of Fame.

This is a 200 card set and I had a great pull from this box.  I have no idea why the Nokic scanned differently than the Beal and Doncic cards. In hand they have the same look and it isn't a parallel.  Scanning anomaly I guess as all three were scanned together.

My pull amongst the rookies was a bit tough as these guys still haven't found their way in the NBA yet though I think Wiseman has a chance.  Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball were the highlights in this rookie class but alas I didn't pull either. Tate is averaging 12 PPG for the Rockets as a wing but needs to add a three point shot to his game.

This acetate insert is definitely colorful.  I still haven't decided how much I like it but it might be growing on me.

I've liked Illusions overall as a brand and I do like this year's design.  The primary photo and the subdued foil photo are really clear and look good on the card.  Also glad they used two different photos.  It does need a team logo even if it was small.  The backs are okay.

Roby still hasn't had a good year for the Thunder but he's young so who knows and I never complain about pulling autographs in blasters.

I like these inserts that allow us to see players in multiple unis from their career. I also pulled George's base card.

This was a fun box.  More fun than I expected actually.  Great pull of base cards and that auto was icing on the cake.  Plus it's a design I like.  That is a win in my book.

BREAKDOWN:
36 – Total Cards
11 – RC
3 – Starlight Parallels
1 – Shining Stars
1 – Career Lineage
1 – Instant Impact
1 - Trophy Collection Signature