The winner for Best Basketball Trading Cards announced.

There are a wide variety of designs when it comes to the five nominees for Best Basketball Trading cards.  While there are some great inserts, to win this award you need a strong, collectable base set too.  Here are descriptions of the nominees for the All About Cards 2010 Sports Card Award in the category of Best Basketball Trading Cards.

2009/10 Panini Adrenalyn XL Basketball

You may think its weird to include a card that is made primarily to play a kids game, but if you’re a kid, this makes sense.  It also makes sense if you consider the 300 base cards that are needed to complete the set, including different colored and signature parallels.  And at a dollar a pack not only is this set a bargain, its easy to collect, which is what old school collecting was about and something that we need to keep an eye on for future generations to keep the hobby alive and vibrant.  Don’t underestimate the importance of these entry-level cards to the health of the collecting community. 

2009/10 Panini Classics Basketball

There are four hits in the box, and they are great hits, but this base set shines.  The 200 Commons, Legends and Rookies to be collected are what makes this set really excel.

2010/11 Panini Rookies & Stars Basketball

The name says it all for these cards, not much middle ground.  But that doesn’t stop collectors from eating them up.  It’s a fan favorite and will continue to capture the interest of collectors for as long as Panini continues to make them.

2009/10 Panini Season Update Basketball

At 200 base cards, this was the last opportunity for collectors to purchase Basketball cards for the 2009/10 year.  With Lakers Legacy, All-Star Game inserts, Rookie Challenge and Rookie auto cards in dual and triple signatures, this was a great closer to another NBA season.

2010/11 Panini Threads Basketball

This set strikes a nice balance with 138 base cards and inserts that are great looking.  From the rookie cards that are printed on real wood to the die cut jersey cards to the All-Time Big Men, these inserts are different and attractive.  Throwing in the kind of cards collectors are looking for in auto/material rookie cards, legends and on-card autos, this set has it all.

And now… the All About Cards 2010 Sports Card Award for Best Basketball trading cards goes to:

Panini has this part of Basketball locked up and they do it well.  And 2010/11 Panini Threads Basketball is our pick for its variety and innovation.  It’s always difficult because Basketball releases tend to be split over the calendar year and there are some great releases on the horizon.  But collectors should be happy with any of these cards as well as the 2010/11 versions of these releases.