Buzz Break: 2018-19 Panini Status basketball cards (hanger)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018-19 Panini Status basketball cards (hanger box)
Where to buy: Initially only at retail (click here for last year's)

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 30
Base set completion: 20 of 100 (20 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notable players on base cards – James Harden, Bradley Beal, Buddy Hield, Lauri Marrkanen, Lonzo Ball, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Zach LaVine

Inserts/short-prints: 9 (all inserts and some base in gallery below)
Rookie Cards (SP) (4) – Kostas Antetokounmpo, Mikal Bridges, Ryan Broekhoff, Wendell Carter Jr.
Orange Rookie Cards (2) – Landry Shamet, Jerome Robinson
Orange Top Status (1) – John Wall
Rookie Credentials (1) – Lonnie Walker IV
Elite Series (1) – Chris Paul

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
New Breed Autographs (1) – Allonzo Trier

What's Buzz-worthy: There being 10 fewer cards than last year's hanger boxes is just one of the differences here as Status arrives as a retail-only brand this year with exclusives to each of the two main chains selling it. The 100 base cards are not on foilboard -- just the Rookie Cards are -- and there are 50 rookies to be found in this one. While blasters guarantee a hit in every box, these do not -- but I managed to land a signed card. Trier is one of 30 players in that set and he's had a pretty decent rookie season so that makes this box an A. The inserts here seem familiar but don't feel like they jive with the base cards all that well. This format is the home of Orange parallels at Walmart stores, while Targets have different parallels -- you'll know which one you have if buying away from the stores as the boxes are blue and red. The rookie sets also are different depending on where you buy. (See a full breakdown of the details here.) I think this one has small design touches that make it feel like a bit stronger than it did last year but I'll also admit that I'm not a heavy NBA buyer save for a few brands in general. This one? It seems like one I might dig in on again if it sticks around -- some of the key rookies here might spark more interest in these. 

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: B

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