Official SCF Review: 2008/09 Skybox Basketball

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the wonderful people at Upper Deck for providing us with this box to review.



Product Description

12 packs per box
10 cards per pack
SRP: $88.99 - $99.99


CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Three (3) memorabilia cards per box including at least one (1) dual swatch! (on average)
- One (1) autograph per box! (on average)
- Look for Precious Metal Parallels!
- Find Hobby-exclusive Autographs and Base Set Parallels!
- Each box contains a variety of box-break inserts, including Metal Universe, Metal Universe Rookie, Precious Metal Gems, and Precious Metal Gems Parallels numbered to 50 or less!

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN:
Autographed Cards
- Rookie Parallels
- Sig Set Duals (#’d to 50)
- Future Signs (#’d to 10)
- Paraph Signatures
- Fresh Ink

Memorabilia Cards
- Larger Than Life
- Standouts
- Rookie Prevue
- One on One Dual
- Larger Than Life Patch (#’d to 25)
- Standouts Patch (#’d to 25)
- Rookie Prevue Patch (#’d to 10)

Inserts and Parallels
- Base Set Ruby Parallel
- Close Ups Ruby Parallel
- Rookie Cards Ruby Parallel
- Metal Universe
- Metal Universe Rookie
- Precious Metal Gems Green (#’d to 50)
- Precious Metal Gems Green Rookie (#’d to 50)
- Precious Metal Gems Red (#’d to 10)
- Precious Metal Gems Red Rookie (#’d to 10)

Regular Cards, Subsets and Rookies
- Base Set- 170 Cards
- Close Ups- 30 Cards
- Rookie- 30 Cards

VIDEO BREAK



WHAT WE PULLED

Base - 107/200 (53.5%)
Dupes - 0
Rookies - 4/30 (13.3%)
Dupes - 0

Skybox utilizes a grayscale type background with the player in color and in action for the most part. Players who were with new teams from the previous season are shown in a color photo posing in their new uniforms. Card information is done in gold across the top and bottom.

There is a 30-card subset called Close Up. The card features the player in a color, action photo with a black and white version of the photo next to it.

There are 30 rookies in the set. Below is two that we pulled.



The lone insert set is called Metal Universe. It comprises of current players as well as rookies. The cards feature the players like they are stars in space.

The base set has a Ruby Parallel. It stands out as the letters on the card are in red as is the serial number on the boack of the card. The Metal Universe set has two parallels, Metal Gems Green and Red. The background is shown in green or red and the serial numbers matches in color.



There are numerous Game Used and Autograph sets in Skybox. Below are the ones we pulled from the break.



Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall design: 4.5/5
Value: 5/5
Re-buy: 5/5

Overall: 22.5/25 (90%)

When opening the box, I had a flashback to 1993 when I was opening packs of Skybox left and right because I loved the design. It was basic back then with some attempts at a revolutionary design. Today's version is quite eye pleasing. I like the focus of the card being on the player that is featured with the player in color and the background shaded out.

The base set is easily collectible as the set could be completed with the purchase of two boxes. The rookies seems to fall at a rate of 1 in 3 packs. This gives some value to the cards as well as makes them worthwhile to chase to complete a full set.

The limited amount of inserts and parallel is a nice change of pace. Player collectors will appreciate this as it will be easier to acquire all the cards of a player from this release.

A big value is the addition of four "hits" in the box. Too often, releases in this price range do not offer as much to consumers. With this amount of chase cards, it makes buyers feel comfortable in acquiring more boxes as the excitement and thrill is there in each break.

Once again, I'd like to thank our sponsor, Upper Deck, for providing us at Sports Card Forum with this box and the opportunity to review it.

[doniceage]

Man talk about some product reviews. Kicking some butt there.


DON

[andrewcstein]

I like the design of the One on One GU set.

[mikesilvia]

Looks like a nice set, but I would probably spend a little more money and go with the SPA. Nice to see you got the 3 GU/1 Auto average!

[patriotsguy]

well at least you get 4 hits outta the box.....nice Rondo Auto!

[quiet-things]

Not very sold on the design... and that Fresh Inks set design is exactly like 08/09 Fleer Ultra Hockey's Fresh Inks. Why couldn't they have changed it up a bit?

[RenegadeLonghorn]

The return of Skybox! Nice design on all of the cards. Good to see a mid end box that delivers a few hits. Disappointed that there are few rookies in each box.

Thanks Upper Deck!

[garnett_21]

Nice break and review! The background on the base cards, and also on the Metal Universe cards, is kind of plain in my opinion - I really like the way the "Close Ups" look though! And, 4 hits in a box is great, especially for under $100. One thing that is a little bothersome though, is the low amount of rookies. Only 4 in a box? That seems mighty low...at that rate, you would have to purchase 8 boxes to get your 30 rookies, and chances are that you'd pull doubles, so it would be very difficult to complete the rookie set.


Thanks Upper Deck!

[SlooseLA]

Love this stuff... have a couple more boxes coming!

[JesRey]

The cards are alright, but i love the Rondo Auto. It looks pretty sweet.