Illusions Basketball

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by TimBuckTwo

Yes which is why I believe it will rocket once Zion and Ja continue to crush it.

You were killing it with the retail hunt! Didn't you land hundreds of blasters, megas, and fat packs? I'm assuming you're still holding for now (I mean why not).

I purchased 50 blasters a couple weeks ago at $45 and ripped them all the same day. lol

Also, Use Your Illusions II was far superior IMO!

[TimBuckTwo]

Originally Posted by MGoBlue

You were killing it with the retail hunt! Didn't you land hundreds of blasters, megas, and fat packs? I'm assuming you're still holding for now (I mean why not).

I purchased 50 blasters a couple weeks ago at $45 and ripped them all the same day. lol

Also, Use Your Illusions II was far superior IMO!

Ha. Well I am sitting on a bit of Illusions still after selling some to cover the costs of it all. A good bit. Wish I could find anything in those volumes now. LOL

I am not familiar with all the Illusion 1 and 2 songs but Live and Let Die and November Rain I think stack up well with Knocking on Heavens Door and You Could Be Miiiiieeeyiiinnnne !

[Earvin32]

I picked this up soon after release for the cost of a common base card. It was not listed as a gold 3/10.

I have been trying to put together an Oscar Robertson rainbow and I need the gold /10 and the green /5. I have not see one of those at all.

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

I picked this up soon after release for the cost of a common base card. It was not listed as a gold 3/10.

I have been trying to put together an Oscar Robertson rainbow and I need the gold /10 and the green /5. I have not see one of those at all.

Awesome card! Even better you got it for a steal. I'm a fan of all the acetate inserts in this product. Tough to pick a favorite between them. I give the edge to mystique, but they're all awesome. Good luck finding the ones you need to finish the rainbow.

[MGoBlue]

Picked up a couple gold acetates recently as well. Gotta say, I was really impressed with the astounding gold.

2019-20 Illusions by Matthew Buckley, on Flickr

2019-20 illusions by Matthew Buckley, on Flickr

[nbahobbyaddict]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

man that is so sweet. i've been wanting one of those DRs.

[BabaORiley]

I didn't end up getting too many of these because the cards look so dark without a really well-lit room. This thread inspired me to go through the box I just set out of the way and these cards look really nice with enough light and they look superb in this thread. I liked the acetates in both football and basketball and wrote everything (including the parallels) off because they seemed dark - somehow missing the potential parallel to stuff like the Jeter Foil should any of these rookies be generational. Really tough GEMS will give this product legs (again, if a rookie proves transcendent).

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by BabaORiley

I didn't end up getting too many of these because the cards look so dark without a really well-lit room. This thread inspired me to go through the box I just set out of the way and these cards look really nice with enough light and they look superb in this thread. I liked the acetates in both football and basketball and wrote everything (including the parallels) off because they seemed dark - somehow missing the potential parallel to stuff like the Jeter Foil should any of these rookies be generational. Really tough GEMS will give this product legs (again, if a rookie proves transcendent).

Not sure why this product got ignored and received so much hate (though much has been discussed in this thread), but I'm glad it did. I've been able to pick up a lot of great cards for relatively cheap prices.

The Zion base PSA10 seems to be gaining some steam. I was able to pick up 4-5 copies in the $80-100 range. A couple ended last night on ebay at $203 and $204 respectively. There's another one ending tonight that will likely be the same. But I'm definitely not buying anymore at that price. I just checked the pop report (67/1127 gems, 5.9%), so one could argue that these might be an absolute steal at $200. Who knows.

[Charmcity81]

Illusions was a fun and cheap product to rip last yr. I had to at least ripped 10 cello packs, & 2 blaster boxes. Still have 2 blaster’s and 1 mega sealed. I sold 3 zion and 2 ja RC at the peak, with some other cards. I must say the acetate and starlight cards really stood out ! Still have in the collection.





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[Earvin32]

How often to insert whites pop up? I thought they were common but after reading some opinions on here, they might not be. I just picked up a Magic J Living Legends white for $.01 plus $4.50 shipping. I hope that means that people are sleeping on the whites. I may be picking up a few more.

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by Charmcity81

Illusions was a fun and cheap product to rip last yr. I had to at least ripped 10 cello packs, & 2 blaster boxes. Still have 2 blaster’s and 1 mega sealed. I sold 3 zion and 2 ja RC at the peak, with some other cards. I must say the acetate and starlight cards really stood out ! Still have in the collection.

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I couldn't agree more! Starlights are by far my favorite. Pics don't do them justice as to how great they look in hand. I just checked last night, and I'm only 7 cards away from completing a 3rd set. I'm trying to talk myself out of going for a 4th, but we'll see.

Which of the acetates is your favorite? I put mystiques clearly out in front, but I don't dislike any of the others. They're all great in my opinion.

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

How often to insert whites pop up? I thought they were common but after reading some opinions on here, they might not be. I just picked up a Magic J Living Legends white for $.01 plus $4.50 shipping. I hope that means that people are sleeping on the whites. I may be picking up a few more.

If I understand correctly, the white gold are hobby case hits. If not case hits, very long odds. Just look at ebay, there's hardly any available. I've been buying the white mystiques like crazy. I assume the other acetates are just as rare. And you're right, either people don't know and/or don't care because you can buy many of them super cheap.

[mossoholic]

Originally Posted by MGoBlue

Not sure why this product got ignored and received so much hate (though much has been discussed in this thread), but I'm glad it did. I've been able to pick up a lot of great cards for relatively cheap prices.

The Zion base PSA10 seems to be gaining some steam. I was able to pick up 4-5 copies in the $80-100 range. A couple ended last night on ebay at $203 and $204 respectively. There's another one ending tonight that will likely be the same. But I'm definitely not buying anymore at that price. I just checked the pop report (67/1127 gems, 5.9%), so one could argue that these might be an absolute steal at $200. Who knows.

To show you how good that is I haven't had 1 single offer of $200 in months for a Zion Chronicles Crusade Silver PSA 10. The POP count on those is 75. Chronicles silvers and colored prizms have to sell the the worst of any pro uniform Zion. Yet Illusions and Hoops Premium wax is worth less. At least in those products you can hit big cards. I have no idea what the big chase in Chronicles retail is when you can get a PSA 10 of a Zion prizm and it's worth barely more than 1 mega box.

[MGoBlue]

Bald Mamba showed up today!


2019-20 Illusions by Matthew Buckley, on Flickr

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by mossoholic

To show you how good that is I haven't had 1 single offer of $200 in months for a Zion Chronicles Crusade Silver PSA 10. The POP count on those is 75. Chronicles silvers and colored prizms have to sell the the worst of any pro uniform Zion. Yet Illusions and Hoops Premium wax is worth less. At least in those products you can hit big cards. I have no idea what the big chase in Chronicles retail is when you can get a PSA 10 of a Zion prizm and it's worth barely more than 1 mega box.

I don't think I'll ever understand what drives the modern hobby! I'm too much of an 80s/90s kid still collecting what I like. Albeit, I'm trying to learn some of the ways along the road.

[mossoholic]

Originally Posted by MGoBlue

I don't think I'll ever understand what drives the modern hobby! I'm too much of an 80s/90s kid still collecting what I like. Albeit, I'm trying to learn some of the ways along the road.

What drives it is 100% money to be made and market manipulation. 99% of people now could care less about the actual look of the product. It could look like poop and if it sells everyone will buy it. I know there was way more Hoops Premium printed but take Hoops vs Hoops Premium. 2019-20 Hoops blasters sell for more than 19-20 Hoops Premium mega boxes. 1 blaster sells for the price of multiple Hoops Premium blasters. Is there any debate which product looks better? Hoops Premium by a mile. You hear everyone say how worthless college product is? Yet 19-20 Prizm draft basketball blasters sell for around the same as 19-20 Mosaic blasters. Contenders Draft Picks blasters for 2021 football you can't give them away. For the 2019-20 basketball class Contenders Draft blasters outsell Chronicles, Illusions, and Hoops Premium blasters. Makes no sense.

On anything new it's driven market manipulation by the big 3 and breakers. Mostly every single 2020-21 basketball hobby product is selling for less, sometimes 50%+ less, than the presale hobby prices were. This in tune has at least some affect on retail for the same product. You aren't going to be able to buy a Prizm blaster for $20-$30 if the hobby box price is over $1000. The one aspect of the hobby that was true market value until recently was FOTL. But whether Panini possibly not offering all the boxes or breakers and big shops/groups colluding to buy the product so it sells out at sky high prices even that aspect is gone now.

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by mossoholic

What drives it is 100% money to be made and market manipulation. 99% of people now could care less about the actual look of the product. It could look like poop and if it sells everyone will buy it. I know there was way more Hoops Premium printed but take Hoops vs Hoops Premium. 2019-20 Hoops blasters sell for more than 19-20 Hoops Premium mega boxes. 1 blaster sells for the price of multiple Hoops Premium blasters. Is there any debate which product looks better? Hoops Premium by a mile. You hear everyone say how worthless college product is? Yet 19-20 Prizm draft basketball blasters sell for around the same as 19-20 Mosaic blasters. Contenders Draft Picks blasters for 2021 football you can't give them away. For the 2019-20 basketball class Contenders Draft blasters outsell Chronicles, Illusions, and Hoops Premium blasters. Makes no sense.

On anything new it's driven market manipulation by the big 3 and breakers. Mostly every single 2020-21 basketball hobby product is selling for less, sometimes 50%+ less, than the presale hobby prices were. This in tune has at least some affect on retail for the same product. You aren't going to be able to buy a Prizm blaster for $20-$30 if the hobby box price is over $1000. The one aspect of the hobby that was true market value until recently was FOTL. But whether Panini possibly not offering all the boxes or breakers and big shops/groups colluding to buy the product so it sells out at sky high prices even that aspect is gone now.

Yuck! I'm going back to my bubble now.....how effing sweet are mystiques! For real, amazing cards! lol

[Charmcity81]

I’m with you regarding mystique. Picked up both cards in the last 2 months via eBay auctions. Had some gift cards, to use on eBay. I’m in both cards total $15



Iverson is PSA pop 1
Bosh RC /999 is a PSA pop 14


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[ThatGuyPal]

It’s almost as if the people who have a ton of this stuff have a vested interest in keeping it alive. Strange

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by Charmcity81

I’m with you regarding mystique. Picked up both cards in the last 2 months via eBay auctions. Had some gift cards, to use on eBay. I’m in both cards total $15



Iverson is PSA pop 1
Bosh RC /999 is a PSA pop 14


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Touché!!

[MGoBlue]

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

It’s almost as if the people who have a ton of this stuff have a vested interest in keeping it alive. Strange

Perhaps for some. But I’ve been around a looooong time and those who know me know exactly what my intentions are……a dedicated, nerdy ass collector.

[TimBuckTwo]

MOSS man is on the loose.

Hide your children!

[lietuvalabas]

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

It’s almost as if the people who have a ton of this stuff have a vested interest in keeping it alive. Strange

Hah if Matt's a flipper he does a pretty $hitty job of it....for God sakes the guy collects nik stauskas. One of the sincerest collectors around.

[shondamon]

I like illusions and trying to collect the whole set including all inserts. As for the acetates, willing to take any color. Here’s what I need if anyone can help me out. I have a lot of stuff for trade and also can buy too..

Career Lineage:
4 David Robinson
5 Russell Westbrook
6 Tracy Mcgrady
7 Kemba Walker
8 Gary Payton
10 Dwyane Wade
11 Giannis
13 Stephen Curry
16 Jason Kidd
25 Dwight Howard

Instant Impact:
4 Deandre Hunter
6 Darius Bazley
7 Ja Morant
10 Cameron Johnson
12 RJ Barrett
14 Darius Garland
15 Romeo Langford
16 PJ Washington Jr
17 Brandon Clarke
19 Nickeil Alexander Walker
21 Eric Paschall

Rookie Reflections:
2 Clarke/Battier
5 Jamison/Hachimura
7 Griffin/Sekou
10 Samanic/Aldridge
12 Williams/Harris
24 Bol/Bol
25 Johnson/Washington Jr

Season Highlights:
1 Giannis
3 LeVert
6 Bojan
7 AD
8 Kawhi
10 Jaylen
11 Trae
13 Middleton
16 Bjelica
17 Gordon
18 Embiid
23 AD
24 Kawhi

Astounding:
2 Beal
4 Lavine
5 Kawhi
6 Donovan
7 Embiid
8 Simmons
11 Tatum
12 Lillard
14 Booker
16 CJ
19 Giannis
20 Trae

Clear Shots:
2 CJ
4 Kawhi
5 Trae
7 Beal
8 Booker
9 Curry
10 Doncic
12 Tatum
14 Middleton
17 Lavine
19 Lillard

Living Legends:
3 Webber
4 Erving
8 Russell
9 Duncan
10 Malone
11 Nash
14 Stockton
15 Kareem
18 Iverson
20 Wade

Mystique:
1 Harden
4 Kyrie
5 Embiid
15 Simmons
17 Kemba
18 Lillard
20 Booker

Shining Stars:
1 Kawhi Leonard - Los Angeles Clippers
2 Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
3 Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
4 Kemba Walker - Boston Celtics
6 Bradley Beal - Washington Wizards
7 Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
8 Zach LaVine - Chicago Bulls
9 James Harden - Houston Rockets
12 Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks
13 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
14 Damian Lillard - Portland Trail Blazers
15 Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics
16 Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
18 CJ McCollum - Portland Trail Blazers
20 Russell Westbrook - Houston Rockets

[cowboyzqna]

Originally Posted by Charmcity81

I’m with you regarding mystique. Picked up both cards in the last 2 months via eBay auctions. Had some gift cards, to use on eBay. I’m in both cards total $15



Iverson is PSA pop 1
Bosh RC /999 is a PSA pop 14


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.


Awesome. Can't beat that for 15.


I actually really like those mystique as well... Bought the /600 LeBron rookie last month. Sent it off to PSA and it got a PSA 8. Obviously not the grade I was looking for but I still really like the card. The /999 mystique is high on my want list right now.