Old School Mojo as Panini Prestige Goes Retro

I was at my local Target again picking up some odds and ends.  They keep their trading cards near the cash registers so like moth to a flame I was lured to the cards.  My intention was to by a blaster, preferably of Basketball or Hockey cards, but there were only Baseball and Football card blasters.  So I decided to go old school, at least for me, and pick up a rack pack of 2010/11 Panini Prestige Basketball cards.  I used to buy rack packs almost exclusively, but with the hobby becoming so insert card centric, I've shifted to Hobby Boxes.  Yes, you can hit insert cards in individual packs, but unless you're a pack searcher, trying to get an insert from a retail pack can be like Waiting for Godot.  So I wasn't expecting much from this pack, but that's OK because some of my favorite cards are just simple base cards.

So what did I pull?  A lot of old school players.  It felt like a throwback to a simpler time in card collecting, when all you wanted was to complete your set.  Here are some of the cards I got.

Pistol Pete and Larry Bird

 Mike and Mike.  Cooper and Dunleavy

But today's players are still well represented

 Carmelo Anthony

 Steve Nash

 Pau Gasol

 Gary Payton

And yes, I did get a numbered insert

 DeSean Butler 228/499

So was I looking for an exclusive autograph from Kobe Bryant?  No.  This is not a Wonka Bar and I'm not Charlie.  But for five bucks, I think I got my money's worth.

I leave you with a few of the other cards from this rack pack.