Random Wax: 2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:   I know the Spurs are in a 2-0 hole, but maybe Jerry West can give them some inspiration.  He's 5th all-time in NBA scoring average in the playoffs at 29.13 PPG right behind Kevin Durant.  Jerry West played with as much determination and fire as MJ and Kobe in my opinion.  He's the only player to win the Finals MVP on a losing team (1969 NBA Finals).  He's also 7th all-time in regular season scoring average at 27.03 PPG, again right behind Kevin Durant.

Josh Giddey, on this Intriguing Players insert, is now on the Bulls.  He's coming off a year in which he averaged 17/8/9 with the Bulls.  That Trendon Watford is an Orange Parallel.

I've always liked Illusions brand for some reason, and this one had a pretty good design to it.  The set included retired greats like Dwyane Wade and I always like retired greats.

Small pack of cards I purchased back in 2022, but I liked it.  Enjoy the game tonight and hopefully the Spurs can get a win.

BREAKDOWN: 
12 – Total Cards
3 – RC
2 – Retired Great
1 – Orange Parallel
1 – Intriguing Players

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:   Kawhi is my favorite player, and I've made no secret of that.  This year he's played maybe the best season of his 14-year career.  It's been fun to see.  The Clippers are currently the 8th seed in the West.  I'm not sure they can catch Phoenix for the 7 seed but still, with all the changes the team has made during the season it's been something to watch.

Happy to see CJ on the Hawks now.  He's a professional player and he can shoot.  After trading for McCollum and Kesper as well as Kuminga, I like how Atlanta is constructed.  Still need to figure out their defense though.  Porzingis is with the Warriors now after stops in Boston, where he won a championship, and Atlanta.  That Hayward is an Orange Parallel.

All three of these young players are solid players in the NBA today.

Reflections insert.  While Green's season has been injury marred, he is going in a different direction than Ja in terms of his career.

Wilton Norman Chamberlain.  Man was this guy good and so athletic.  His dominance is not talked about enough.  He wasn't just a big man clogging up the lane though he spent a lot of time there.  His athleticism and skill led him to dominate the 60s.  10X All-NBA, 7X Scoring Champ, 11X Rebounding Champ, 4X MVP, 2X NBA Champ, 2X All-Defensive Team.  All-time leader in minutes played per game (45.8) and rebound per game (22.9).  He also averaged 30.1 points per game and of course had the only 100 point game.

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
2 – RC
1 - Reflections
1 – Retired Great
1 – Orange Parallel

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:  This is a good-looking Damian Lillard card.  In 12 seasons he's been an All-Star eight times, a 7X All-NBA selection and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary team.

These look better in hand and I like Illusions as a brand.  This was a small pack I picked up in January of last year.  Dame was the highlight but it's a solid pull considering how small it was. 

Jason Kidd averaged 8 assists a game in his 2011 age 37 season when he helped the Mavericks win their only Championship.  That was his only time winning the title as well and he'd play two more seasons after that.  Retired greats are fun inclusions here.  That Mike Conley is an Orange Parallel.  Trey Murphy averaged 14 points per game last season and is a great shooter from 3.

Not sure about the Operation Detonation inserts but Dejounte Murray is an excellent player.  Since this card he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and then to New Orleans this offseason.  He continues to play well and I hope continues with the Pelicans.

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
2 – RC
2 – Orange Parallel
1 – Retired Great
1 – Operation Detonation

Random Wax: 2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:  Jayson Tatum is having another great year and could be the King of Cards come season end.  Still too early to tell but the Celtics look really good.

This is one of the small packs with only 12 cards.  I'm very happy with my pull though.  Nice variety of stars and retired greats.  That Embiid is an Orange parallel. Joel Embiid is having an even better season than last year when he won MVP honors.

The Bulls are really struggling this season as is DeRozan.  He's still one my favorites in the league.  Bradley Beal is with the Suns now and has had to deal with injuries this season.  Still don't really know what Phoenix is with him in the lineup. 

Williams is a solid young player for Memphis.

Pretty good pack of cards.  Lots of stars and some nice retired greats to round it out.

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
2 – RC
2 – Retired Greats
1 – King of Cards
1 – Orange Parallel

2021-2022 Illusions Basketball

21-22 Illusions:  I love this guy.  Damantas Sabonis is so so good.  He's not the best center in the league as Jokic and Embiid outpace him but Sabonis isn't talked about enough.  Got to watch him a lot while he was with Indy but I'm happy he's found a good home with Sacramento where they will break a 17 year playoff drought.  He's averaging 19/12/7 a game and is leading the league in rebounding.

What's odd is I've had these for 5 months and never posted them.  I normally post new releases quickly after I pick some up.  Kyrie and what he does in Dallas will be a big storyline.  I know talent plays but at some point it'll be about winning.  Can he and Luka figure it out in Dallas?  This is a pretty good design for Illusions.  It's still on the shelves so I assume collectors aren't that enamored with it.

Love retired greats.  Just need more of them.  I like how young Allen Iverson looks in that photo.  It's also an orange parallel.  Cade Cunninghan is a really good young player in the league but injuries cut his season short.  King of Cards is a nice design with the silver foil border raised.

The backs are fairly plain but we do get some color.  Even one line of stats would be nice though.

Austin Reaves has found a nice niche in LA.  He's had a few highlight moments this year and is averaging 11 points per game.  A good pack of cards.  Nice pull and design.  Final Four will be set today.  Have fun!

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
2 – Retired Greats
1 – RC
1 – Kings of Cards
1 – Orange Parallel