Buzz Break: 2017-18 Panini Essentials NBA cards (blaster box)

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The box: 2017-18 Panini Essentials basketball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 5
Cards per box: 35
Base set completion: 17 of 200 (9 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Serge Ibaka

Rookie Cards (5) – Kyle Kuzma, Markelle Fultz, Kyle Collinsworth, Abdel Nader, Terrance Ferguson

Inserts/short-prints: 18 (all inserts and some base in gallery below)
Spiral parallels (4) – Karl-Anthony Towns, Seth Curry, Evam Fournier, Thaddeus Young
Essential Legends (4) – Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Reggie Miller
Essential Rookies (7) – Frank Mason III, Daniel Theis, Frank Ntilikina, Og Anunoby, Royce O'Neale, Dennis Smith Jr., Milos Teodosic
Essential Stars (3) – Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: This one carries a unique look that definitely has some touches we've seen before but it's a mashup that oddly works thanks to its high-end feel that includes thick stock, foilboard and stamping. Blaster boxes include exclusive Spiral parallels and Essential Rookies but don't include a hit in every box -- and that makes this one not as safe of a buy as that means you have to rely on the luck of the draw with who you might land among the rookies and the inserts. While the cards here are flashy, the mix ultimately isn't -- base cards, parallels and just three inserts. That simplicity -- at least in blasters -- should appeal to some segments of the collecting community but I'm not that sure the simplicity-seekers are the ones looking for flashy holo/foil creations. I liked the feel of this one at first -- when I thought there was some type of hit per box -- but then felt flat when it didn't. You get the definite premium feel here but without any of the perks. Hobby boxes are your best bet with this one, though it does appear that autographs (a retail version) are possible here. 

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

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