Kobe Bryant
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Jan. 29)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Kobe Bryant, Super Bowl LIV, undervalued NBA autographs, NFL breaks, pondering what to grade, Chris Doleman, Zion Williamson and more.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Jan. 28)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Kobe Bryant memories and chatter, MLB moves, Absolute delivers two big Zion Williamson cards and more in today's baseball-basketball edition.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Jan. 27)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Nothing but varying discussions about Kobe Bryant as collectors around the world react to the news of his death at age 41.
World loses an icon as Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash
A sports legend and a pop culture icon is gone.
One of the NBA's greatest players, former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, died in a helicopter crash that killed eight other people on Sunday morning in Calabasas, Calif. He was just 41.
A five-time NBA champion nicknamed "Black Mamba," Bryant was an 18-time All-Star during a 20-year career that began when he was drafted 13th in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft as a 17-year-old. He ranks fourth on the NBA's career scoring list with 33,643 points, a mark that was passed just yesterday by Lakers star LeBron James. Both of Bryant's uniform numbers -- Nos. 8 and 24 -- were retired by the Lakers and he remains the franchise's leader in points, three-pointers, steals and free throws made.
“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames,” Bryant tweeted last night. “Much respect my brother.”
The National Basketball Players Association offered its condolences on Sunday as tributes poured in from around the world.
"We are stunned and devastated by the news of the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant," read the NBPA statement. "Words cannot express his impact on our Players, the NBA and the game of basketball. This is a monumental loss for the entire basketball community and our hearts are quite simply broken. We send love and prayers out to his wife, Vanessa, and the entire family."
First Buzz: 2019-20 Panini Noir basketball cards
What: 2019-20 Panini Noir basketball cards
Arrives: March 18
Box basics: Seven autographs or memorabilia cards per 10-card box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Noir takes the court once again with the newest NBA rookies as well as notable veterans with spotlights on details such as stars' shoes and more in this release.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
First Buzz: 2018-19 Leaf Pearl sports cards
What: 2018-19 Leaf Pearl sports cards
Arrives: January
Box basics: 11 premium cards including one cut auto per box (two boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf Pearl will take on a multi-sport approach in in the coming year with a range of athletes and sports stars from the past and present with autographs from O.J. Simpson, Lionel Messi and plenty more in the mix along with some legendary pieces of memorabilia, too.
Rui Hachimura signs autograph exclusive with Panini America
Panini America has a new team member.
Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura has signed an exclusive autographed card and memorabilia deal with the company, according to an announcement reload on Wednesday.
“We’re truly honored to welcome Rui as the newest exclusive member of the Panini America family. He’s a unique part of the spectacular 2019 NBA Draft Class and a player whose international roots only strengthen the NBA’s reputation as a global game,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Rui will be an integral part of our North American product and marketing efforts, but he’ll also help play a key role in our continued expansion internationally.”
Black Friday Wave 1 -- here are five deals to consider
If you hadn't noticed, our first wave of Black Friday boxes with discounted prices have dropped right now right here as BlowoutCards.com is bringing a wave approach to today's sales.
There are four more waves of discounted boxes to come later in today's big sale ... so keep watching.
Here are five boxes/cases that caught this collector’s eye in this first wave.
2015 Bowman's Best MLB eight-box hobby case
Best returned after several years on the bench, bringing a new wave of prospects and rookies with a total of four autos per box via a mini-box format. While a number of prospect releases from this timeframe have blown up, this one is still more on the affordable side while also including some solid names among the parallel rainbow as well as on the autograph front. Among autographs possible here? Andrew Benintendi, Anthony Rizzo, Bryce Harper, Buster Posey, Blake Snell, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, Francisco Lindor, Jose Altuve, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Max Scherzer, Mike Trout, Rafael Devers, Trea Turner, Walker Buehler, David Ortiz, and more. It's a good mix of prospects and more with 32 autos per case and plenty of color and inserts, too.Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Nov. 8)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Showing off 1980s NFL and 2000s NBA cards, shredding NBA Hoops for Zion Williamson, a legendary NFL game-used project just one card short and some big pulls.
First Buzz: 2019-20 Panini Impeccable basketball cards
What: 2019-20 Panini Impeccable basketball cards
Arrives: Feb. 19
Box basics: Five autographs per nine-card box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Impeccable hits the court with its familiar inclusions -- as well as some new players like Zion Williamson -- with precious metals and more among them.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
First Buzz: 2019 Leaf Autographed Jersey Multi-sport Edition
What: 2019 Leaf Autographed Jersey Multi-sport Edition
Arrives: December
Box basics: One autographed custom jersey per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Leaf takes autographed memorabilia to all areas of the sports world once again with nothing but jerseys in this release.
Keep reading for more.
First Buzz: 2019-20 Donruss Optic basketball cards
What: 2019-20 Donruss Optic basketball cards
Arrives: Jan. 29
Box basics: One autograph per 20-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Optic arrives with a rainbow of colorful parallels, on-card Rated Rookie autographs and plenty more with the new rookie crop powering the way through the paint this time.
Keep reading for more info and a gallery of what's to come for this as well as the Fast Break option.
eBay Buzz: Kawhi Leonard, legendary ink, George Springer, Triple Threads arrives and David Ross' best baseball card
Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.
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HE LOVES L.A. AFTER GAME ONE
The Item: Kawhi Leonard 2012-13 Panini Immaculate Collection rookie patch auto (/100)
The Price: $2,999 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: What do you collect when a star has bounced around and arrives in a new home, scoring 30 points in his new team debut against their rival? Well, I don't know as I'm firmly priced out on the big cards in basketball these (but I do have a clean NBA Hoops RC headed into a slab soon and I'll dig that) but my gut says that his hottest cards soon will be his first Clippers cards more than his Raptors or Spurs stuff. But, with that not here yet, the best bets would be to bargain hunt among the rookie patch autos from his rookie season like this one. There could be cheaper ones for sure, but there are also a ton of pricier ones with National Treasures cards in slabs going into five-figures. There's no doubt that Leonard is a talent and here's hoping the past weirdness settles down and he's a Clipper for some time with success ... that would justify the big-money prices for his cards and justify even more gains for sure. He's already got championships with two teams and there are expectations for more. Game 1 against LeBron and his Lakers seemed to start off on a big note, which might fuel expectations and interest here even more if his team continues playing as it did last night.
Similar Pieces: Kawhi Leonard autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2012-13 NBA boxesKeep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...
First Buzz: 2019-20 Super Break One-time Basketball
What: 2019-20 Super Break One-time Basketball
Arrives: Oct. 9
Box basics: At least one basketball card per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Super Break takes to the hardwood once again this year with buyback cards as well as "randomly inserted Zion signed certified collectibles."
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Aug. 25)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Andrew Luck calls it a career, a Kobe auto in a retail repack, NHL grading results and more in this early Sunday edition.
First Buzz: 2018-19 Panini Obsidian basketball cards
What: 2018-19 Panini Obsidian basketball cards
Arrives: Aug. 28
Box basics: Two autographed cards per five-card pack
Order: Click here (when available)What's buzz-worthy: Obsidian takes to the hardwood for the first time with plenty of rookie ink as well as past and present star power in an online-only release.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.
First Buzz: 2018-19 Panini Encased basketball cards
What: 2018-19 Panini Encased basketball cards
Arrives: July 17
Box basics: Two autographs (one graded) and two memorabilia cards per five-card box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (when available)What's buzz-worthy: Encased hits the hardwood for another season with plenty of ink from stars of the past and present.
Keep reading for more info and a gallery of what's to come.
Ja Morant signs exclusive autograph deal with Panini America
One of the possible top picks in this year's NBA Draft has a new team already.
He's former Murray State star Ja Morant and he's signed an exclusive autograph card and memorabilia deal with Panini America. He's perhaps going to be a top-five pick next month and his first autographed items will be available via Panini Authentic after the draft.
“I’m very excited to join the Panini America family as an exclusive member of the team along with some of the greatest names in the game,” Morant said in a prepared release. “I dreamed of having my own trading card to share with family, friends and fans, and Panini America is helping make that dream come true. I’m appreciative of that and look forward to a long relationship.”
First Buzz: 2019 TRISTAR Best Of All Time 1 autographs
What: 2019 TRISTAR Best Of All Time 1 autographed memorabilia
Arrives: June 5
Box basics: Six autographed items per case
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's autographed memorabilia line goes uptown with it promising the biggest names in the history of sports in tow.
Keep reading for more and a gallery of what's in this one.
Buzz 8 in 8: Busting 2010-11 Panini Season Update (Hour 5)
Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 5.
The box: 2010-11 Panini Season Update NBA (hobby)
The cost: Click here
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
First Buzz: 2019 Leaf Memorabilia Treasury
What: 2019 Leaf Memorabilia Treasury
Arrives: Summer
Box basics: Five memorabilia pieces per box
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Leaf Trading Cards' next release will include memorabilia from around the collecting world with autographs, tv- and movie-used costumes and plenty of other surprises.
Keep reading for more.
Panini NBA Player of the Day promotion arrives for new run
Basketball collectors now have another reason to hit the hobby shop daily.
The annual Panini NBA Player of the Day promo is back and it gives basketball collectors a little extra to check in on when they rip into packs of Panini America cards at participating shops through April 14.
Among the prizes? The chance to spend the say with an NBA player as well as autographed cards and other bonuses.
“The Player of the Day promotion helps hobby shops sell more trading cards while rewarding collectors who purchase Panini America products,” said Jason Howarth, Panini VP of Marketing. “We are thrilled to support hobby shops selling our NBA trading cards by expanding this proven promotion to even more hobby shops. We look forward to creating more memorable experiences for collectors this year.”
Buzz Break: 2018-19 Donruss Optic NBA cards (Mega Box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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: 2018-19 Donruss Optic basketball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)
Packs per box: 10 (eight standard, two Hyper Pink)
Cards per pack: 4 per standard, 5 per Hyper Pink
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 20 of 150 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0Base cards: Ben Simmons, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rajon Rondo, Lauri Markkanen, Goran Dragic, Evan Turner, J.R. Smith, Denzel Valentine, Dion Waiters, Jrue Holiday, Zach Collins, DeWayne Dedmon, Patrick Beverley, Clint Capela, George Hill, Wesley Matthews, Mario Hezonja, Kyle Korver
First Buzz: 2019 Leaf Ultimate Sports sports cards
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What: 2019 Leaf Ultimate Sports sports cards
Arrives: June 21
Box basics: Three hits per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Leaf goes high-end with its next multi-sport release with nothing but "premium hits" in this new line that features a mix of legends from around the sports world all in one place -- and sometimes all in one card.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
Best of 2018: Revisiting some of Buzz's favorite breaks
Between everyday Buzz Breaks and the near-monthly Buzz 12 in 12 marathons, Buzz busted a lot of packs in 2018.
How many? Well, Buzz is almost afraid to count -- though it was seemingly news to me that the 12 in 12 marathons actually started early last year. (That's even more proof there's been a lot of wax to get these hands ... it's all a blur.)
It was a year of memorable pulls for me at times with some icons' autographs found in my packs. It also was fun one ripping into really old packs, too, with some cheap thrills there.
Breaks are among the most-popular items seen here nearly every day and Buzz knows that. So look for plenty of breaks in 2019 -- but, before that time comes, keep reading for links to not one, not 18, but 25 memorable breaks from 2018.