2010 – 11 Panini Classics NBA Trading Cards. An All About Cards Review

There are several definitions for “Classics”

1 - An object of recognized and established value.

2 - An object of a simple, elegant, and long-lasting style.

3 - An object that is memorable and a very good example of its kind.

To some extent, all three of these elements need to be present to be considered a true Classic.  2010-11 Panini Classics NBA Trading cards accomplishes this task.

We classify 2010-11 Panini Classics NBA Trading cards as premium cards.  Each hobby exclusive box contains 18 – 8 card packs with a promise of 2 Autographs, including 1 Autographed Rookie #'d/699 or less and 2 Memorabilia Cards per Box.  Each box will also have at least 1 Legend card (#'d/999) and 12 Inserts.  The case hits are an autograph card of Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Bill Walton, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Amar'e Stoudemire or John Wall.

Lets take a look at the cards we pulled from our box.

First from the base set

 Kobe Bryant base card front and back.

 Doc Rivers and Nat McMillan Legend cards.

From the inserts

Sonny Weems Timeless Tributes #/250

 Blake Griffin Classic Moments

 Magic Johnson and Mark Jackson Classic Greats

Rick Barry and Nat Thurmond Classic Combos

Amar'e Stoudemire Dress Code

 Caron Butler and David Lee Blast from the Past

Our hits were

Joe Johnson Material Dress Code

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Material Blast from the Past

 Landry Fields and Terrico White Autographed Rookies (signed on-card)

Overall look

The logo for Classics has remained the same but this year it seems the styling of the cards has caught up with the feeling the logo suggests.  The color combos are well coordinated and vibrant making for an attractive base card that evokes a period of time in the past but still seems relevant.  The inserts match this styling and make for a great looking set of cards.

Quality and variety of players

At 100 players and 40 legends, the roster is nicely sized with some variety coming from the inserts and the 40 rookies.  These are the kind of numbers we like to see for a premium set.

Do the hits satisfy?  Are the cards too base heavy?

Who wouldn’t want an auto from the above-mentioned players?  The Blast from the Past cards further strengthens the hits.   Add to the mix the on-card Rookie Autos and it’s a very strong collection of potential hits.  In all likelihood you will not only pull a complete set of the 100 player base cards, you’ll probably pull some doubles and sometimes triples.  But the multiple base cards are a product of having a smaller base set to begin with, keeping this set from becoming too base heavy.

Will you keep coming back for more?

Most definitely, but after the first box, you’ll primarily be looking to build you legends and insert sets along with trying to pull more great hits.  

Rating

4 1/2 out of 5

2010-11 Panini Classics NBA Trading Cards is a classic set in name and design that should withstand the test of time.



Review box provided by Panini