Here in Southern California we have a car culture. The most popular car color by far is black. Nothing looks more impressive than a shiny, freshly washed black car. But they must be kept immaculately clean. Any dirt, chip, ding or surface scratch can be immediately seen. 2010-11 Panini Elite Black Basketball Cards are, by far, some of the most impressive looking cards produced this year, but with the full-bleed black design you must take extra special care because any chip, ding or surface scratch can be immediately seen. It will be well worth the extra care because the cards that you can pull from these faux-suede boxes are amazing.
Elite Black makes it into our ultra premium cards category. Each box contains 8 cards, which breaks down to 3 Autographs, 3 Memorabilia Cards, and 2 Insert cards. Hit cards are numbered to 149 or less and insert cards are numbered to 99 or less.
Here are the cards we pulled from the box.
Chris Webber Status #/99, front and back.
Ty Lawson Status #/99
Samuel Dalembert Status Memorabilia & DeMarcus Cousins Crusade Double Memorabilia both #/99
Andrew Bogut Status Auto #/149 & Danny Granger Crusade Double Memorabilia Auto #/25
Magic Johnson Elite Series Patch Memorabilia #/49
Kobe Bryant Reigning Threes Autograph #99
Overall Look
I saw preview images of these cards on The Knight’s Lance and they looked impressive. What you can’t get from those images or even these scans are the detailed embossing and debossing that takes these cards to another level. Mixes of matte and glossy finishes are skillfully done. These cards are stunning.
Quality and Variety of Players
There is a nice mix of Rookie, Star and Legends player for the majority of the cards which are found in the Status and Crusade inserts. All hits beyond auto and memorabilia versions of the Status and Crusade inserts are overflowing with legends of the game and the major stars of today.
Thrill Seeking Fulfillment
The anticipation of hitting a legends booklet, or a Kevin Durant Thunder Struck card was high. Pulling the Kobe auto and the Magic patch was certainly a thrill.
Buyers Remorse or Speculator's Delight
Looking at a lot of breaks of Elite Black, it certainly seems to be in line with expectations for Ultra Premium boxes. There is enough incentive to keep opening this product even without the boxes that contain monster mojo. Above average hits seem to be present throughout the entire run.
Rating
4 1/2 out of 5
2010-11 Panini Elite Black Basketball joins National Treasures in Panini’s Ultra Premium Basketball line-up and are some of the best looking Basketball cards out there.
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2010-11 Panini Elite Black Basketball NBA Trading Cards Box Break Recap and Review
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