Buzz Break: 2021-22 Panini Contenders NBA cards (blaster)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2021-22 Panini Contenders basketball cards (Fanatics blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 30
Base set completion: 21 of 100 (32 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, Trae Young, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic ... among others

Inserts/short-prints: 8 (all in gallery below with some base)
Game Ticket Green Ice parallel (2) – Harrison Barnes, Lonzo Ball
Game Night Ticket Green Ice parallel (1) – Donovan Mitchell
Game Night Ticket (2) – Steph Curry, Jamal Murray
International Ticket (2) – Steve Nash, Marc Gasol
Draft Class (1) – James Bouknight

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Green Ice Rookie Ticket Swatches (1) – Joshua Primo

What's Buzz-worthy: This one came from a bargain-box lot and I'll preface this one with the thought that Contenders hasn't ever really been a favorite brand of mine -- hobby or retail -- in any sport but the tweaks on this Fanatics blaster (smaller box, flashier exclusives) delivered pretty well for me with a parallel hit and some good names among the inserts and base. A guaranteed hit can be the source of an easy highlight every time and it's definitely better than not having it at all (good or bad). The variety of inserts here was slightly more varied than some other year's breaks for Contenders NBA but ultimately very much the same. I'm not a heavy, regular NBA buyer but I would be with this brand if it just included a little more insert action to goose the variety and the break just a little more.

Product Grade: B+
Box Grade: B+ (some good names in spots here and Fanatics box is smaller with exclusive Greens so that makes mix here a smudge stronger)
Fun Grade: B

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