2009-10 Panini Rookies & Stars Basketball
As Panini releases more brands, it's interesting to see what kind of designs and ideas they incorporate. Rookies & Stars has an edgier design than some of their previous releases, showing that they're willing to try diverse looks in their products. There are also some nice hits to be had as well for a box price in the $70 range.
Set Features;
Each sealed box contains 24 packs of 5 cards each in a 175 card set including 35 Rookie Team Patch cards. >>> Each box contains FOUR Memorabilia and/or Autograph cards. Parallel sets: Gold 1:8 (#`d to 500), Gold HoloFoil 1:24 (#`d to 250), and Gold Materials Signatures (#`d to 250 or less). Inserts: Team Leaders 1:12 (parallels: Gold > #`d to 500, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, and Black > #`d to 100), Sharp Shooters 1:12 (parallels: Materials, Gold > #`d to 500, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, Black > #`d to 100, Prime Materials > #`d to 50 or less, and Signatures > #`d to 50 or less), Moments In Time 1:24 (parallels: Gold > #`d to 500, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, and Black > #`d to 100), Gold Stars 1:24 (parallels: Materials, Gold > #`d to 500, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, Black > #`d to 100, Prime Materials > #`d to 50 or less, and Signatures > #`d to 50 or less), Dress for Success Materials Jerseys (Prime Materials > #`d to 50 or less, Signature Materials > #`d to 25 or less, and Prime Signature Materials > #`d to 10 or less), Freshman Orientation Materials Jerseys (parallels: Gold > #`d to 500, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, and Black > #`d to 100), Statistical Standouts Materials (Prime Materials > #`d to 50 or less, Signature Materials > #`d to 25 or less, and Prime Signature Materials > #`d to 10 or less), Studio Combo Rookies (parallels: Gold > #`d to 500, Materials > #`d to 299, HoloFoil > #`d to 250, Black > #`d to 100, Prime Materials > #`d to 50, and Signatures > #`d to 50), Prime Cuts (Signature parallel > #`d to 25), and Retired NBA Team Patch cards.
Here's what I pulled in our box of 2009-10 Panini Rookies & Stars.
Base Cards;
Rookies & Stars has a design which seems to be inspired a little by street graffiti - lines and other geometric features accompany an in-your-face font, but they keep the colors to a minimum so they don't detract from the player photo and overwhelm the eye. I think it's a pretty clever design, and it works well.
Parallels include gold /500 and gold holofoil /250. We pulled four and two of each, respectively, including a Kevin Garnett holofoil.
The rookies are similar to the base, but the black and white colors for the player's name and the bar background are inverted so you can tell them apart from other base, and a rookie designation is set in the upper left corner with some graffiti differences. We pulled four from our box.
There are also rookie cards further into the set featuring team logo patches and autographs. We pulled one of DeJuan Blair in our box, and the card looks fantastic. In the wave of Letterman cards in recent years, I like the idea of team logo patches instead. However, some of these cards can be obtained only via redemption.
Panini is really trying to bring back insert cards again, and they're doing a nice job of including several to chase after in their products, though there are lots of serially numbered insert parallels as well. The inserts we pulled include Gold Stars, Moments in Time, Sharp Shooters, Studio Rookies, and Team Leaders. Moments in Time is notable for including historic retired players, like Bill Walton and Darryl Dawkins, and describing a notable feat in that player's career on the card back. The Studio Rookies insert set has a particularly fine design, with a gold and aqua surface blending in together. Team Leaders show three top performers for a given team, a nice insert set for the team collectors in the hobby.
Game Used Cards;
Among the memorabilia cards we pulled include a Freshman Orientation blue swatch of rookie Jordan Hill, and a white swatch of Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard from a parallel to the Gold Stars insert set.
Final Thoughts on 2009-10 Panini Rookies & Stars Basketball;
Rookies & Stars is a good effort from Panini. While there are lots of parallels again, the basic designs are a step up from solid to a bit more funky, which is intriguing. The rookie team logo patch and autograph cards are really fun as well.
Here's how I would rate this product;
- Value = 4
- Innovation = 4
- Fun and Experience = 4
- Rebuy Value = 4
I rate this product "B+" for Panini.
NPN Information;
NPN, 2009 Panini Rookies & Stars Basketball
2300 E. Randol Mill
Arlington, TX 76011-6333
NPN is open only to U.S./Canadian (except Quebec) residents, and submissions must be sent by February 3, 2010. Requests are limited to two per household. The skill test question for Canadian residents is as follows: 707 + 735 / 210 x 168 - 651 = ?
I would like to thank Trader Retreat for giving me the chance to review this new product.
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