Topps NBA Living

[Joliet Jake]

KG card is up.

I'll have my normal post up shortly.

I didn't realize this last week, but Topps added two more parallels in addition to the Foil Numbered /10 and Silhouette Variant /50, Topps Chrome Refractor and Topps Chrome Superfractor 1/1.

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

KG card is up.

I'll have my normal post up shortly.

I didn't realize this last week, but Topps added two more parallels in addition to the Foil Numbered /10 and Silhouette Variant /50, Topps Chrome Refractor and Topps Chrome Superfractor 1/1.

I like that they are keeping us on our toes, this is by far the best Living Set, and it’s not even close.

[eldavojohn]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

I like that they are keeping us on our toes, this is by far the best Living Set, and it’s not even close.

Third cards is wolves. Never in my wildest dreams.

These action shots are outrageously good and must take forever to get this beautiful.

[Joliet Jake]

Topps NBA® Living Set® Card #3 - Kevin Garnett - PR: 5,486
Kevin Garnett is the Minnesota Timberwolves 1st franchise and team member, and first Hall of Fame member featured.
Basketball Reference

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by eldavojohn

Third cards is wolves. Never in my wildest dreams.

These action shots are outrageously good and must take forever to get this beautiful.

Topps is really missing a golden opportunity not releasing prints.

These actions shots on an 11x14 canvas would really pop!

[Joliet Jake]

Topps, Garnett only played 21 seasons.

[eldavojohn]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Topps, Garnett only played 21 seasons.

I think they're suffering from the +1 years inclusivity problem built into how we count seasons.

If you're a baseball player who played from 2015 to 2020 (inclusive) you played six seasons. Subtracting gives you five but you're omitting the season of 2015 when you do that.

If you're a basketball player who played from 2015 to 2020 (inclusive) you played five seasons:

2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20

I think they applied the baseball counting to BKB!

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by eldavojohn

I think they're suffering from the +1 years inclusivity problem built into how we count seasons.

If you're a baseball player who played from 2015 to 2020 (inclusive) you played six seasons. Subtracting gives you five but you're omitting the season of 2015 when you do that.

If you're a basketball player who played from 2015 to 2020 (inclusive) you played five seasons:

2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20

I think they applied the baseball counting to BKB!

I think you're right.

I always verify the bio text against Basketball Reference, which is the only way I noticed. I wouldn't have picked up on it otherwise.

[kidfan9]

Just saw this on X…

JUST IN: All NBA Living Set cards will now feature Topps Chrome variations - a Refractor and a 1-of-1 Superfractor.

Collectors who purchase the base edition of any NBA Living Set card will have a chance of receiving these ultra-rare variations with their order.

This includes NBA Living Set cards #1 and #2 - LeBron James and Jalen Brunson.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by kidfan9

Just saw this on X…

JUST IN: All NBA Living Set cards will now feature Topps Chrome variations - a Refractor and a 1-of-1 Superfractor.

Collectors who purchase the base edition of any NBA Living Set card will have a chance of receiving these ultra-rare variations with their order.

This includes NBA Living Set cards #1 and #2 - LeBron James and Jalen Brunson.

I saw this today, too.

I don't mind Topps doing something like this from the start. I'm hoping it doesn't translate to the MLB set.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

I saw this today, too.

I don't mind Topps doing something like this from the start. I'm hoping it doesn't translate to the MLB set.

Feels like Topps has more faith in the baseball version

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by byronscott4ever

Feels like Topps has more faith in the baseball version

Possibly.

I also think the baseball set has a well established track record at this point that provides consistent weekly income. There was some pushback with the introduction of the black bio text in 2023, even though there was precedent for it in the original set. I think that pushback was enough to make Topps think twice about forcing undesirable parallels into a set that's finishing up it's 8th year.

The chase cards for basketball definitely get more eyes on the set from the beginning, as I'm sure most collectors are somewhat familiar with the Living Set concept in general.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Possibly.

I also think the baseball set has a well established track record at this point that provides consistent weekly income. There was some pushback with the introduction of the black bio text in 2023, even though there was precedent for it in the original set. I think that pushback was enough to make Topps think twice about forcing undesirable parallels into a set that's finishing up it's 8th year.

The chase cards for basketball definitely get more eyes on the set from the beginning, as I'm sure most collectors are somewhat familiar with the Living Set concept in general.

I wonder if they would’ve done these different versions if they did 2 cards a week all year

[bigsmooth]

Originally Posted by byronscott4ever

I wonder if they would’ve done these different versions if they did 2 cards a week all year

Probably, basketball cards collectors aren’t as “traditional” as the baseball guys. We love our parallels.

[eldavojohn]

5,008 print run for Jalen

[Fsegaud]

Originally Posted by eldavojohn

5,008 print run for Jalen

Well, 5,008 possible sets at this point!

I have three of them so far just like baseball

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by ewokpelts

BOB LOVE!

But I ask want a norm van lier!

48 Minutes of Intensity: The Norm Van Lier Story

[Joliet Jake]

Topps NBA® Living Set® Card #4 - Tyrese Maxey - PR: 4,540
Tyrese Maxey is the Philadelphia 76ers 1st franchise and team member featured.
Basketball Reference

[KabirC]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Topps NBA® Living Set® Card #4 - Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey is the Philadelphia 76ers 1st franchise and team member featured.
Basketball Reference

LeBron, KG, Brunson and Maxey

[bigsmooth]

Outside of Lebron #1 this set has been unpredictable.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth

Outside of Lebron #1 this set has been unpredictable.

It feels that with the parallels and player choices, Topps is not confident in it…look at how baseball used lesser players very early on

[eldavojohn]

Originally Posted by byronscott4ever

It feels that with the parallels and player choices, Topps is not confident in it…look at how baseball used lesser players very early on

I disagree, you must remember that we were getting 3 cards a week in the MLB first weeks. Of course they could put a scrub in there.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by eldavojohn

I disagree, you must remember that we were getting 3 cards a week in the MLB first weeks. Of course they could put a scrub in there.

I'm curious to see what the print run for KG is. It could be a precursor to how often we receive cards of other retired stars.

Topps can't afford to miss with this set with so few cards per season.

[eldavojohn]

Kevin Garnett - 2025-26 NBA Living Set® - Card 3 - PR: 5,486

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by eldavojohn

Kevin Garnett - 2025-26 NBA Living Set® - Card 3 - PR: 5,486

That's a good print run.

I hope this encourages Topps to include more Hall of Famers and retired greats.