2023-24 Topps Chrome Basketball

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by bub838

It's unlicensed by the NBA (no logos). Player likeness/name is done through the union (NBPA) so every player doesn't have to negotiate individually. That likely includes the rate for scrub autographs. Bigger, more desirable names (Wemby) negotiate bigger deals for their autos.

Basic card may be granted just by being part of player's union. I think that autos is a separate contract, another layer.

For example, Nesmith never signed past his rookie year. Didn't have any autos second year and then they used up his remaining stickers third year on Pacers' cards (Spectra, Donruss, and Obsidian). Hasn't had anything since for any brand.

Similar with the jersey. They used up his old GU Celtics uni from Flawless third year, in Biography, though he was with Pacers by then. I think jerseys and autos are strictly allotted.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Green Nesmith $125 today only.

Sorry, after getting a green dragon RR choice for like $30, I am broke. 15 or so of those made. Oh and the elusive green fanatics cracked ice for $2.

[bub838]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Basic card may be granted just by being part of player's union. I think that autos is a separate contract, another layer.

For example, Nesmith never signed past his rookie year. Didn't have any autos second year and then they used up his remaining stickers third year on Pacers' cards (Spectra, Donruss, and Obsidian). Hasn't had anything since for any brand.

Similar with the jersey. They used up his old GU Celtics uni from Flawless third year, in Biography, though he was with Pacers by then. I think jerseys and autos are strictly allotted.

Yeah, agreed it's a separate contract. I was trying to say for the scrubs it's likely done through/with the unions help so manufacturers don't have to negotiate with 100's of individuals across multiple sports.

[ThatGuyPal]

If this is the reception to unlicensed, when they have it we may be back to Pandemic shootings in parking lot days. Haven't seen a product in forever sell out on sites, in store and have as much hype as Topps Chrome in real life.

[BackToWax]

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

If this is the reception to unlicensed, when they have it we may be back to Pandemic shootings in parking lot days. Haven't seen a product in forever sell out on sites, in store and have as much hype as Topps Chrome in real life.

Seems to have brought in the baseball collectors due to loyalty to Topps. I've seen some baseball only YouTubers ripping cases of this stuff.

[JJonesFan]

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

If this is the reception to unlicensed, when they have it we may be back to Pandemic shootings in parking lot days. Haven't seen a product in forever sell out on sites, in store and have as much hype as Topps Chrome in real life.

It'll help that the first licensed class is going to be incredibly strong if the top guys all declare as expected.

[crownand]

How are retail blasters and Megas? Are they worth opening?

[oldgoldy97]

I forgot I got a blaster of Fanatics. Just opened it, got a Scoot pink basketball. No Wemby.

[TXRunner]

Check your Walmarts, Targets, and Best Buys this week for Topps Chrome (along with Topps Composite). The stores got big restocks of it this week.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by BackToWax

Seems to have brought in the baseball collectors due to loyalty to Topps. I've seen some baseball only YouTubers ripping cases of this stuff.

There was some video of a convention in Wisconsin or somewhere where no one has ever seen a basketball card. Dealer rifles through a huge collection, pulls out the lone Wemby, and says with a straight face "It's too late for football, I'm only buying basketball." Really instructional video if you want to make money on the margins....

That said, if you are a basketball person and your guy made the Topps set, and now you have reached the baseball crowd with first-mover advantage, leverage that. Explain how Isaiah Wong, while cut from the stacked Pacers, where he played like 100 minutes the entire season, is essentially a free agent who made the G-League Invitational and could blossom on a higher profile team.

[beens75]

Originally Posted by crownand

How are retail blasters and Megas? Are they worth opening?

Retail is rough. Keep in mind that there are no numbered base cards in this other than astronomical Superfractor base odds at like 1:37K packs for blasters and 1:18k for Megas and some numbered autos that are exclusive only to retail. Only Wemby auto in retail is a Future Stars auto. Surprisingly, the Curry auto is retail only.

I ran into some at Target last night. I bought 3 megas and 2 blasters. 2 Blasters were pretty solid I hit a Scoot Future Stars auto in the first blaster and a Wemby base in the second. My 3 megas were horrible. No autos and no Wembys of any kind blah on the inserts.

[TXRunner]

I have only opened a hanger. Pulled a Brandon Miller orange parallel from that hanger. I am officially ahead right now!

[ohio_mba]

Hit a nice one from a hobby box today. Very clean refractor auto. Off to PSA he goes.

[dantheman514]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

Hit a nice one from a hobby box today. Very clean refractor auto. Off to PSA he goes.

Congrats; that's an awesome card!

[Giantrobot]

I got my 2 blasters from Target finally. Each one had a nicely centered Wemby RC in it, so I am happy with that.

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

Hit a nice one from a hobby box today. Very clean refractor auto. Off to PSA he goes.

On-card?

[ohio_mba]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

On-card?

Yep. Anything above base for Wemby is on-card.

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

Yep. Anything above base for Wemby is on-card.

Nice!! A sticker auto is still better than no auto but nothing beats an on-card auto.

Congrats!

[imbluestreak23]

I did not realize that. And here I have 6 bass auto Wemby incoming

[ohio_mba]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

I did not realize that. And here I have 6 bass auto Wemby incoming

I mean those are still big money. I'm sure you know that buying six of them lol

[Giantrobot]

So, anyways, I have pulled a Wemby out of each of the three blasters I’ve opened. I’m awesome, and that’s just how it is.

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

I mean those are still big money. I'm sure you know that buying six of them lol

I wish more color would pop up but there may not be a lot of it out there. I’m happy bass fishin lol

[ohio_mba]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

I wish more color would pop up but there may not be a lot of it out there. I’m happy bass fishin lol

This stuff wasn't printed as highly as people think so you're probably right. If you look at the odds sheet you can easily calculate how many autos of each tier exist.

No one is going to believe it but there are only around 67 base refractor autos of each player in the Topps Chrome Auto checklist. Only around 146 of the base autos.

[gowizards0]

2 blasters, not a single card worth over $3. cya next year

[DR Murph]

Originally Posted by ohio_mba

Hit a nice one from a hobby box today. Very clean refractor auto. Off to PSA he goes.

That’s an awesome pull—congrats!