Personal Product Review: 2008-09 Upper Deck Basketball

[demonpower55]

Product Description:
16 packs per box. 20 cards per pack.
- Find three memorabilia cards and one autograph per box, on average!
- Look for at least 27 Star Rookies in every 16-pack box, with at least 3 of those being short-printed Rookies!
- Find Kobe Bryant Heroes inserts, including an autograph parallel #'d to 5!
- UD celebrates the greatest NBA dynasties with special Bulls, Lakers and Celtics inserts!
- Find Starquest cards 1 per box good for points and prizes at upperdeckkids.com!

Product Breakdown:
Autographed Cards
- Star Signings
- Star Signings Gold // (# to 25)
- We the People...Auto //
- Kobe Bryant Heroes Auto // (# to 5)

Memorabilia Cards
- UD Game Jersey
- Emulation Dual Memorabilia
- UD Game Jersey Patch //
- Emulation Dual Memorabilia Patch //

Inserts and Parallels
- Bulls Dynasty
- Lakers Dynasty
- Celtics Dynasty
- Kobe Bryant Heroes
- We the People...
- Electric Court Base Set Parallel
- Electric Court UD Legends Parallel
- Electric Court Star Rookies Parallel
- Starquest Black //

Regular Cards and Rookies
- Base Set - 200 Cards
- UD Legends
- Star Rookies
- Star Rookies SP

Overall Break:
Base: 172/200 (86%)
Duplicates: 92
Rookies: 27
Game-Used Memorabilia: 2
Autograph: 1
Parallels: 5 (Electric Court RCs)

Base Design:


UD Legends Base


Rookies (SP and Electric Court pictured)


Dynasty (Bulls/Lakers/Celtics) Inserts


Starquest Inserts


GUs and Auto:
Amare Stoudemire and Kobe Bryant UD Game Jerseys
Daequan Cook Star Signings Autograph



Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base Set - 4/5
Fun - 5/5
Overall Design - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Rebuy - 5/5
Final Grade - 20.5/25 (82%)

The first product of the new basketball season does not disappoint, and it comes with something for everyone. Looking for rookie cards, got them; set collectors, got you covered; want a card of your childhood idol, some of them are in here; autos and jersey collectors, there's something for you too. The cards from this year's design are sharp and filled with great action shots. I'm shocked at the amount of duplicate base cards I had in my box; with 320 cards a box, I have at least 90 doubles and a couple of triples.

With SP rookies, great looking inserts, and UD legends, it gives collectors a reason to buy more than one box. As always, the base products do not hold as much value as compared to their more expensive products. I'm very dissapointed that I got shorted a hit, but a nice product overall, and for $70, I'm looking to get another box in the near future.

[RenegadeLonghorn]

Nice review! Card designs look nice. Really sad that you would get almost 100 duplicate base and not even a complete set out of the box! UD trying to make you buy another box to complete the set.

[garnett_21]

Great box...too bad you got shorted a hit though...try emailing UD...maybe they'll send ya something...worst they can say is no!

[molly1984]

i like the dynasty cards, really cool idea, might have to collect those hmmm :)

[texasredhots]

is the dj augustin ft? plmk.

[demonpower55]

Not trading the rookies right now, but when I get doubles, I will give you a PM. Sorry.

[texasredhots]

not a problem. thx for he quick response.

[giantrobot9000]

I really like this new Upper Deck release. Great-looking base set...the best in a long time,IMO.

I've been off the UD bandwagon for a few years, because I thought Topps gave you a better deal, but finally I've had some luck with a UD product! I've only bought about 8 single hobby packs so far, but have pulled an Iverson jersey, a Kobe Heros card, an Electric Court OJ Mayo RC, and a few other inserts. I'm leery of shelling out for a full box, but I'll still buy packs here and there. I like the not-quite-jumbo size of the packs. I think Topps jumbos are too expensive and not worth it, with tons of dupes. I like these better. You get more for your money.

[tarheelsnipe]

Love the full borderless design. Anybody seen a release date for SP Authentic yet? I'm on the sidelines until then. I'm guessing January.