SCF Official Review: 2008/09 SP Authentic Basketball

[Enigma]

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



Product Description

24 packs per box
5 cards per pack
SRP: $109.99 - $119.99


CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Two autographs per box, on average!
- One Autographed Patch Rookie Card or One Autographed Letterman Card per box, on average!
- One multi-signed autographed card per case, on average!


PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
Autographed Cards
- Rookie Autographed Logoman Parallel (#’d to 1)
- Recruiting Class (# to 75 or less)
- Varsity Letters (# to 65 or less)
- Chirography
- SP Vital Signs
- Sign of the Times Dual (# to 50)
- Sign of the Times Trio (# to 10)
- Sign of the Times Quad (# to 5)

Insert Cards
- Authentic Profiles
- Destination Stardom

Base Set
- Base Set - 100 Cards
- Rookie Autographed Patch Card (#’d to 499 or less)
- Rookie Autograph (#’d to 199 or less)
- Rookie (#’d to 199 or less)

VIDEO BREAK



WHAT WE PULLED

Base - 88/100 (88%)
Dupes - 7

The base cards feature a full body photo of the player. The background is basically a huge basketball shaded in with one of the team colors the player plays for. There are two insert set in this release. Destination Stardom is a 30-card set devoted to the rookie class. Authentic Profiles is a 30-card set devoted to a mix of stars and rookies.



There are various autograph sets in this release. Each box should yield either an autographed patch rookie or an autographed letterman. Here is what we pulled.




Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4/5
Fun: 3/5
Overall design: 3/5
Value: 3.5/5
Re-buy: 4/5

Overall: 17.5/25 (70%)

SP Authentic has a 100-card base set. Because of the two insert sets, it is not possible to complete a base set with one box. With a lackluster design, this release would be better served to ditch the inserts. This would allow the ability to complete a base set and put more focus on why consumers buy this product, the rookies.

The rookie patch auto has been the key driving factor in the interest in SP Authentic for years. For the price, there's should be more than two autos per box. Consumers would gladly give up the two insert sets to add an additional auto per box.

On the bright side, there is an insert or hit in every pack. For those looking for a bonus surprise each time they rip a pack open, you will find it here.

With the majority of the interest encompassed around the patch auto, there's not much value otherwise in a box on average. However, as previously mentioned, the interest is in the patch auto, therefore most consumers will buy this box more than once.

Once again, thank you goes out to our sponsor, Upper Deck, for providing us with this box and the opportunity to review it.

[doniceage]

Nice case hit on that box for the dual auto.

DON

[Pheebs888]

lacklustre design? ouch...good review Tony.

[Bondsaway]

Tony that wrapper and box kicked your butt... I love SPA and yes everyone wants the auto/patches

Nice break.

[mikesilvia]

Looks like a nice set and the auto/jersey card looks sweet as usual.

[patriotsguy]

Love the patch auto!

[quiet-things]

It's nice to hear there is an insert/hit in every pack... you won't get stuck with those all-base packs. Nice rookie auto patch

[RenegadeLonghorn]

SPA patch autos are always sweet. I've always like the simplicity but stylish base design. Two solid rookie autos pulled but the set is generally hit or miss with its SRP.

[garnett_21]

Nice break and nice review! I really like the design of the base cards...and the patch auto is a great pull...too bad it wasn't a better player.

Thanks Upper Deck!

[JesRey]

You got a couple of great rookie cards