Series II: What Happened?

rangeljon · 03-15-2017, 01:31 AM

Someone posted the Select checklist.

I was scrolling through it, looking to see what cool insert sets my PC player, Paul Millsap, might be in. He's been signing for the first time in years, after all.

Couldn't find anything upon first glance -- not even base.

Whatever, I'll command+F and search for that ish -- he's in here somewhere...

... Nothing.

At this point my first thought was, "Whatever, he'll be in series II."

Clearly I've been cracking too much 90s wax.

But it begs the question: What happened to Series II in basketball?

Panini had an Update or two early on in their NBA run, but Series II product seems to have faded away long ago, like a silky T-Mac jumper.

Will we see it again? What's the point?

I think back to classics like Fleer Ultra, Stadium Club, and Skybox goodies, and it makes me long for it. Then I think about Prestige and Totally Certified and I'm thankful version 2.0 doesn't exist for those brands.

Disclaimer: Now, Optic might be an extension of Donruss, but it is by no means a Series II product. And retail, jumbo, rack, blaster and whatever whacky combination of packing doesn't count, either -- there might be a unique base parallel for each format, but that doesn't make it an entirely new product; you're pulling the same base, after all.

mrchipz · 03-15-2017, 01:39 AM

would be nice to start doing it again to make some rookie cards of players that dont have true rookie cards that blew up this year like seth curry and yogi ferrell.

gatorboymike · 03-15-2017, 01:41 AM

The point of making a series II was to include the rookies, guys who had been traded on their new teams, and more Jordans. But mostly the rookies.

Prior to the lockout of 1998, there were extremely strict rules about who and what could be depicted on NBA cards. It was very difficult to get permission to produce cards of non-active players, and since series I of almost every product went into production before the rookies ever played in a game (and thus were not yet active players), they couldn't have cards of them made yet. That's also the reason why cards of retired players were extremely rare back then too.

Why that was the case, or what exactly the rules were, or why they changed, I'm not sure. But I do know that everything was different after 1998, and that's when you started seeing single-series products start taking over. I think the very last NBA product ever issued in two series was 2000-01 Upper Deck. Nowadays there's no reason to issue products like that anymore.

rangeljon · 03-15-2017, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorboymike

The point of making a series II was to include the rookies, guys who had been traded on their new teams, and more Jordans. But mostly the rookies.

Prior to the lockout of 1998, there were extremely strict rules about who and what could be depicted on NBA cards. It was very difficult to get permission to produce cards of non-active players, and since series I of almost every product went into production before the rookies ever played in a game (and thus were not yet active players), they couldn't have cards of them made yet. That's also the reason why cards of retired players were extremely rare back then too.

Why that was the case, or what exactly the rules were, or why they changed, I'm not sure. But I do know that everything was different after 1998, and that's when you started seeing single-series products start taking over. I think the very last NBA product ever issued in two series was 2000-01 Upper Deck. Nowadays there's no reason to issue products like that anymore.

Completely valid and insightful... But the post above this makes a very strong argument for why it might not be a bad idea.

My whole thing is: Who the hell doesn't enjoy two series's of distinct SP sets. That would be what I'd want to see out of it.

hairyangryfella · 03-15-2017, 04:47 AM

If Panini were to do a series II of something it'd probably come out during the playoffs... of the following season...

Nyfancam01 · 03-15-2017, 04:57 AM

It would be great if we could have Upper Deck & Topps back

byronscott4ever · 03-15-2017, 06:24 AM

When there were series, each company only had a few lines they made and now, there are way more products so rather than doing series, it's just another product. Every new product gets another base card of every superstar too. I also wonder if a shift from sets to hits focus contributes as well.

LovelyLlamas · 03-15-2017, 12:21 PM

2002-03 UD was the last set I believe to have two series.

It's a shame because I loved the two series and waiting for those rookies. And seeing the players in their new uniforms. Brings me back. Problem now is there are two many retired players and the same players in every set. And then you see the more obscure players and they appear in that flimsy Complete set. Card packs were bigger and checklists were deeper and sets were just more fun to put together. Subsets are dead and base cards rarely showcase action shots. All in all I miss those sets. 1992-93 Fleer is still my favorite.

03-15-2017, 01:31 AM	#1
rangeljon Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 934	Series II: What Happened? Someone posted the Select checklist. I was scrolling through it, looking to see what cool insert sets my PC player, Paul Millsap, might be in. He's been signing for the first time in years, after all. Couldn't find anything upon first glance -- not even base. Whatever, I'll command+F and search for that ish -- he's in here somewhere... ... Nothing. At this point my first thought was, "Whatever, he'll be in series II." Clearly I've been cracking too much 90s wax. But it begs the question: What happened to Series II in basketball? Panini had an Update or two early on in their NBA run, but Series II product seems to have faded away long ago, like a silky T-Mac jumper. Will we see it again? What's the point? I think back to classics like Fleer Ultra, Stadium Club, and Skybox goodies, and it makes me long for it. Then I think about Prestige and Totally Certified and I'm thankful version 2.0 doesn't exist for those brands. Disclaimer: Now, Optic might be an extension of Donruss, but it is by no means a Series II product. And retail, jumbo, rack, blaster and whatever whacky combination of packing doesn't count, either -- there might be a unique base parallel for each format, but that doesn't make it an entirely new product; you're pulling the same base, after all. __________________ Jon R. Last edited by rangeljon; 03-15-2017 at 01:49 AM.

03-15-2017, 01:41 AM	#3
gatorboymike Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,012	The point of making a series II was to include the rookies, guys who had been traded on their new teams, and more Jordans. But mostly the rookies. Prior to the lockout of 1998, there were extremely strict rules about who and what could be depicted on NBA cards. It was very difficult to get permission to produce cards of non-active players, and since series I of almost every product went into production before the rookies ever played in a game (and thus were not yet active players), they couldn't have cards of them made yet. That's also the reason why cards of retired players were extremely rare back then too. Why that was the case, or what exactly the rules were, or why they changed, I'm not sure. But I do know that everything was different after 1998, and that's when you started seeing single-series products start taking over. I think the very last NBA product ever issued in two series was 2000-01 Upper Deck. Nowadays there's no reason to issue products like that anymore. __________________ Collecting: Mike Dunleavy \| Avery Johnson \| Marreese Speights Home Page - http://www.freewebs.com/gatorboymike/index.html Trade List & PC - https://www.flickr.com/photos/140575244@N02/albums

03-15-2017, 01:39 AM	#2
mrchipz Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,809	would be nice to start doing it again to make some rookie cards of players that dont have true rookie cards that blew up this year like seth curry and yogi ferrell.

03-15-2017, 04:47 AM	#5
hairyangryfella Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,219	If Panini were to do a series II of something it'd probably come out during the playoffs... of the following season...

03-15-2017, 04:57 AM	#6
Nyfancam01 Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,890 Nyfancam01 Nyfancam01	It would be great if we could have Upper Deck & Topps back

03-15-2017, 06:24 AM	#7
byronscott4ever Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 11,410	When there were series, each company only had a few lines they made and now, there are way more products so rather than doing series, it's just another product. Every new product gets another base card of every superstar too. I also wonder if a shift from sets to hits focus contributes as well.

03-15-2017, 12:21 PM	#8
LovelyLlamas Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 659	2002-03 UD was the last set I believe to have two series. It's a shame because I loved the two series and waiting for those rookies. And seeing the players in their new uniforms. Brings me back. Problem now is there are two many retired players and the same players in every set. And then you see the more obscure players and they appear in that flimsy Complete set. Card packs were bigger and checklists were deeper and sets were just more fun to put together. Subsets are dead and base cards rarely showcase action shots. All in all I miss those sets. 1992-93 Fleer is still my favorite.