Random Wax: 2019-2020 Contenders Basketball

2019-2020 Contenders Basketball:  Contenders is a favorite of mine and I happened to have this pack just waiting to be posted...and boom there's a Jimmy Butler card.  I've always been a Jimmy Butler fan.  Something about his hair.  And his play.  He's just a gritty guy who can play defense and hoop.  His stats from his first year in Miami won't wow ya but what he's help do with the team will.  

They'll try to be the foil to the Lakers in this year's NBA Finals which starts tonight!

Kevin Durant and Kyle Lowry both know something about winning an NBA title.  Rumor has it Victor Oladipo wants out of Indiana.  It'll be interesting to see what that leads too.

Another key to the Miami Heat is Bam Adebayo.  The third year player is only 22 and has been huge in the playoffs. You have to like the Celtics who have some young stars, including Jaylen Brown, who could help them challenge in the Eastern conference for years to come.

Aaron Gordon is a PC guy for me.  He hasn't had that break out year just yet but I'm hoping next season is it.  Devin Booker is a star in the league and played extremely well in the NBA "bubble".  

This Miami Heat legend knows a thing or two about winning championships.  Three championships to be exact.  This was a great pack and the NBA has been so much fun this year.  We'll end it with one of my favorite players in the league, probably the best shooter in the league and someone else who knows how to bring home the title.

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards

1 – Green Parallel

1 – 2019 Draft Class

1 – Winning Ticket

1 – Front Row Seat 

Random Wax: 2019-2020 Contenders Basketball

2019-2020 Contenders Basketball:  I'm a Contenders guy and I think this year's design is very solid.  I had a great pull with this pack which is always a bonus.  This guy has been great on the Mavericks and is no doubt the future of the franchise. He's so fun to watch.  Hard to believe the skills he has at  6-7 and he is only 20 years-old. 

Plenty of big names and great big men.

The inserts in this set are pretty good.  They don't bowl me over but I'm good with them.

I can't complain about this pack at all.  So many stars here and I pulled an Damion Lillard which, unsurprisingly, is my favorite in the pack.

BREAKDOWN: 

22 – Total Cards
1 – 2019 Draft Class
1 – Front Row Seat
1 – Winning Ticket
1 – Green Game Ticket Parallel

Random Wax: 2019-2020 Contenders Basketball

2019-2020 Contenders Basketball: Contenders is a brand I like so here we go again.  No better place to start than with Hall of Fame legend Dennis Johnson.  Three-time NBA Champion, Finals MVP two-time All-NBA and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection but that 70's Supersonics jersey is what does it for me.  I kid.  DJ really was great...but those jerseys are too cool.  

Can't wait to see Klay and Steph back on the court with their new teammate Andrew Wiggins.  I want to see how good those guys can be.  Kyle Lowry and the Raptors are having a surprising good year considering the loss of Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers.

Contenders traditionally has a small set size so you'll get plenty of star power in these packs even in the form of Sacramento Kings.

More good young talent in the league.  Donovan Mitchell, as good as he is, was front and center this year as the league shut down due to the virus hitting the Utah Jazz last month.  The NBA stopped play with all major sports following suite shortly thereafter.

A really nice pull here as Ja Morant has lived up to the hype for another surprising team, the Memphis Grizzlies.  This was definitely a fun pack and I have more Contenders yet to be seen at a later time. 

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards
1 – Winning Ticket
1 – 2019 Draft Class
1 – Front Row Seat
1 – Game Ticket Parallel

2019-2020 Contenders Basketball

2019-2020 Contenders Basketball:  I liked this design on the 2019 Contenders football and I like it again here.  Not sure what it is about that circle and logo but I'm digging it.  It hearkens back to 2011 Topps designs that I really liked as well.  One of my first Trae Young of the year lead off and hopefully I'll pull many more soon.

A ton of star power in this pack.  I know the set size isn't huge at 100 but this pack still hit it out of the park.  The section, row and seat at the top reference the player's weight, height and jersey number.  It's nice seeing players in their new team's jersey's in this brand.

The inserts are nice and we get a look at retired greats on this winning ticket.  That Marc Gasol is a Game Ticket green parallel though the color didn't come out at all in the scan.

The backs are nice and colorful but devoid of stats unfortunately.  The photo is the same from the front but with the background now in place.

This was a fun first pack for Contenders.  I know the brand doesn't do it for everyone and I get it can be a bit similar from year-to-year.  I like this year's quite a bit and this pack and all it's stars definitely are a good start.  

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards
1 – Game Ticket
1 – Winning Ticket
1 – Front Row Seat
1 – 2019 Draft Class