Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks basketball (blaster box)

[BlowoutBuzz]

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more — or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.




The box: 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
27 of 100* (27 percent)
Duplicates: 2

Notable base cards – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis (2), Carmelo Anthony, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn, LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Dwyane Wade, Kawhi Leonard, Kristaps Porzingis, Russell Westbrook, Larry Bird





Inserts: 14 (all inserts in gallery below with some base)
School Colors (4) – Dillon Brooks, Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Josh Hart
Legacy (5) – Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson
Game Day Tickets (5) – Jordan Bell, Dennis Smith Jr., Malik Monk, Frank Mason III, Monte Morris




Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
College Ticket (1) – Andrew White III


What’s Buzz-worthy: As said here in a previous break this one’s been revamped rather dramatically to include a base set of NBA stars from the past and present in their NBA uniforms with the draft picks presence found only in the autographs (one per box) and the inserts. There’s less ink here than in the past — and a lot less college colors (and it seems players) — making it more of an NBA release that gives us a hint of what’s to come once the league’s cardboard arrives with some draft presence. Despite how the box looks, it has less of a draft picks set feel once you rip into the packs. And, oddly, the card backs don’t really include much info. Also oddly interesting here is that each of the 50 base cards have two versions — what appears to be a split between light and dark jerseys. To keep things simple, we’ve simply dubbed it a 100-card* set. That point may be moot here as we know that collectors are chasing the newest players’ ink here, most notably Lonzo Ball. He wasn’t in this box. The heavier NBA presence in this one probably makes it more sellable to more collectors, but put me in the camp of wanting a deep college crop to get cards and autos of college standouts who may not have been drafted but are on NBA/developmental rosters. My player? Not in this one … here’s hoping there will be a deep, deep NBA set (with a touch of college) later this year.

Product Grade: B
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
>> Click here to shop for boxes on BlowoutCards.com.