Topps NBA Living

[Dr. K]

LeBron is #1

https://www.topps.com/products/lebro...t%C2%AE-card-1

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by Dr. K

LeBron is #1

https://www.topps.com/products/lebro...t%C2%AE-card-1

Good choice. They can/will also use him again after he retires with Cavs/Heat.

Parallels look cool, but I would rather them just keep the cost down and have it all be base.

Regardless, art looks amazing. Really looking forward to collecting these.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by Angel Aviles

Hey everyone, extremely disappointing news. I was just informed, this afternoon in fact, that there will be NO NBA LIVING SET PRINTS available for this set. My apologies for announcing that there would be as that was planned up until today. I ask that you do not direct your frustration or disappointment towards me as I am equally shocked by this turn of events. I have absolutely no control over the distribution or decisions made for the particulars of this set unfortunately. To my long standing supporters and Collectors I do sincerely apologize for not being able to provide the Prints that was expected and promised. I will have signed cards available on my website and hopefully the Print situation does not dampen your view of this fantastic set. I have been working diligently and mindfully to provide the best Art I could possibly offer and my hope is that you enjoy what I illustrated. Let’s make this set a legendary one!

Stay Positive. Make Art.

Not your fault Topps said no to free money.

[bigsmooth]

1957-58, called it!

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by Dr. K

LeBron is #1

https://www.topps.com/products/lebro...t%C2%AE-card-1

I'm getting an error page when clicking on the link.

I can't locate the card via search either.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

1957-58, called it!

I'm glad Topps went with the design from their first basketball set. It leans hard into the nostalgia, which is a huge draw for these sets.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

The 1 card per week really does dampen the chances of getting common and semi-stars included in the set. Maybe they could hire a second artist to do a card per week as well. Kris Penix from the Star Wars Living set would be a good choice.

Originally Posted by Asian62150

There have been about 5000 players in the history of the NBA. And according to Chat, about 100-120 draft picks/FAs make their debuts every year.

Even if they released 3 cards/week, it'll take over 150 years to complete the set.

At 2 cards/week, they'll never run out of subjects.

Topps definitely needs to consider hiring a second artist. While there are far less active players in the NBA compared to the MLB, 52 cards per year is still too few to truly represent the breadth of the league.

I know it just started, but I want to be able to look forward to ABA inclusions, too.

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

I'm getting an error page when clicking on the link.

I can't locate the card via search either.

Me, too.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Topps definitely needs to consider hiring a second artist. While there are far less active players in the NBA compared to the MLB, 52 cards per year is still too few to truly represent the breadth of the league.

I know it just started, but I want to be able to look forward to ABA inclusions, too.

That would be a separate license

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

I'm glad Topps went with the design from their first basketball set. It leans hard into the nostalgia, which is a huge draw for these sets.

I’m happy it’s not just a headshot like baseball and soccer, hopefully that continues with the action shot renderings.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Topps definitely needs to consider hiring a second artist. While there are far less active players in the NBA compared to the MLB, 52 cards per year is still too few to truly represent the breadth of the league.

I know it just started, but I want to be able to look forward to ABA inclusions, too.

I imagine football might require 2 or even 3 artists

[oldgoldy97]

Is it available to purchase? I don’t see it anywhere.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Is it available to purchase? I don’t see it anywhere.

I think it was up but pulled—I can’t find it or get a link to work

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

That would be a separate license

I didn't consider that. I assumed since the ABA merged with the NBA in the 70s that it would be covered. Likewise with the BAA and NBL.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

I didn't consider that. I assumed since the ABA merged with the NBA in the 70s that it would be covered. Likewise with the BAA and NBL.

Technically it wasn’t a merger since they only accepted a few teams and the ABA is still a separate entity with their retired players not getting any of the NBA benefits.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

Technically it wasn’t a merger since they only accepted a few teams and the ABA is still a separate entity with their retired players not getting any of the NBA benefits.

That's a bummer.

I appreciate the info, too.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

1957-58, called it!

Disappointing, since it's not one of their better designs.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Disappointing, since it's not one of their better designs.

Pretty sure it was always going to be the first set. Topps didn’t have a lot to choose from though.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

That's a bummer.

I appreciate the info, too.

I suspect it shouldn’t be a hard license to get, especially since Topps has the NBA license already. Would love to see Dr. J in a Virginia Squires living card.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

Pretty sure it was always going to be the first set. Topps didn’t have a lot to choose from though.

While I don't love the trapezoid design on the front, I do appreciate the white border and room for the artwork, specifically action shots. I also really like the back of the card, especially the player height graphic and the card number in the backboard.

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

I suspect it shouldn’t be a hard license to get, especially since Topps has the NBA license already. Would love to see Dr. J in a Virginia Squires living card.

This is a perfect example of the types of cards I'm hoping we eventually get.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

While I don't love the trapezoid design on the front, I do appreciate the white border and room for the artwork, specifically action shots. I also really like the back of the card, especially the player height graphic and the card number in the backboard.



This is a perfect example of the types of cards I'm hoping we eventually get.

The action shot makes up for the lackluster 57-58 design. Don’t give up hope, I think topps will eventually get it, especially if they get a 2nd artist.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

Pretty sure it was always going to be the first set. Topps didn’t have a lot to choose from though.

IMHO, the colorful 71-72 and 72-73 designs are both much better than the 57-58 design.

[Joliet Jake]

Topps NBA® Living Set® Card #1 - LeBron James - PR: 47,755
LeBron James is the Los Angeles Lakers 1st franchise and team member featured.
Basketball Reference

[Joliet Jake]

This paragraph from the Description caught my eye, and explains the 36-40 cards per season.

One player is released every week and is available for just one week at Topps.com. These will be on sale only during the NBA regular season and playoffs.

I imagine this gives Angel the offseason to get ahead of the seasonal release schedule, which allows for continued focus on the best artwork possible without burning him out.

As for the card itself, the artwork is fantastic! I expected nothing less.

I'm not overly interested in the parallels, but I assume it will draw in the collectors that like to chase hits. I just hope it doesn't inflate print runs to the point the set becomes devalued in the future.

Overall, good start to the set, and I'm looking forward to what else Angel has in store for us.

[Joliet Jake]

I'll continue to add additional tabs for top player lists, and flesh out existing tabs, but here's the link for my spreadsheet, similar to what I've maintained for the MLB set.