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: 2019-20 Panini Mosaic NBA cards (five multi-packs)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one ...

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Showing off autograph sets, first-box Mega Box magic and "baseball's biggest problem."

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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: 2019-20 Panini Mosaic NBA cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one ...

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.

This time? Five Kobe Bryant cardboard basics to own.

A ROOKIE CARD
It's clear that a lot of people who aren't seven-day-a-week collectors have been picking up Kobe Bryant basketball cards since his death in late-January, and the easy starting point for someone -- regardless of budget -- is a Rookie Card. His best Rookie Cards are from major manufacturers and most of them show him in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform or at least use Lakers logos. He has a ton of draft picks and early cards, too, but his 16 Rookie Cards all from the 1996-97 season are the ones to consider first. Here's a rundown of the brands -- Bowman's Best, Collector's Choice, E-X 2000, Fleer, Fleer Metal, Flair Showcase, Fleer Ultra, NBA Hoops, SP, Topps, Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Upper Deck, UD3 and Z-Force. They're all in demand but they have always been relatively findable and vary in price. Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Bowman's Best and SP are arguably the better ones, so they'll cost more, while Collector's Choice and Hoops will be on the cheaper side. There are parallel versions for the Chrome and Finest cards, too, and there are also fakes for some of the basic cards here to be weary of. I'd grab one that's been graded by BGS, PSA or SGC only. My Favorite? Probably Finest (above) as I was actually able to find one in a pack long, long ago ... I also once had a Chrome ... but traded it. (Story for another day.)

Keep reading for four more basic cards to consider for Kobe Bryant.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys.

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OFF-SEASON SLABBING
The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome RC (PSA 9)
The Price: About $15
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The pop report on this one is flip-flopped like a lot of new modern cards -- it's got more than 1,500 PSA 10s but just over 150 PSA 9s out of nearly 1,700 graded ... not the norm, really. Nonetheless, I still didn't mind it in this grade for this price. The short-printed Series 2 card that carries the same photo as this one is a tougher grade -- those corners can be chippy -- but rather than sub my own there and hope for a PSA 9 I just decided to go this route on Chrome. I'll probably do more when they present themselves or perhaps submit others at some point. (I'll have a big submission I already made batting lead-off in a future Making The Grade, too.) My gut feeling is that this super-rookie didn't live up to the massive hype we had envisioned last year -- so 2020 could be one that is dramatic for his cardboard ... one way or another.
Grab a box right here: 2019 Topps Chrome 

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there's a little bit of everything -- 20 items for a new year.

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WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?
The Card: Kyle Schwarber 2016 Bowman's Best Rookie Card (PSA 10)
The Price: $8
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I picked this one up because the price was right for a high-grade Rookie Card but also because I took a look at the stat sheet. I'd argue that while he's been off the collecting radar of many lately, Schwarber put up a career year last season. His average was still low -- but a career-best .250 -- and he also had career marks in homers (38) and RBI (92) as well as games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles ... pretty much everything except stolen bases and on-base percentage. He'll always be remembered as a member of the 2016 Cubs World Series championship team, but I said "had been" off collecting radars because there were recent trade rumors where he could be headed to the Yankees. A move like that would make these kinds of cheaper buys vanish far faster than they might already and rejuvenate his cardboard. I'd be buying on him right now among the cheap early options.
Grab a box right here: 2016 Bowman's Best baseball cards (when available)

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2018-19 Leaf Pearl sports cards
Arrives: January
Box basics: 11 premium cards including one cut auto per box (two boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf Pearl will take on a multi-sport approach in in the coming year with a range of athletes and sports stars from the past and present with autographs from O.J. Simpson, Lionel Messi and plenty more in the mix along with some legendary pieces of memorabilia, too.

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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: 2019-20 Panini Prizm NBA cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 24
Base set completion: 
8 of 200 (4 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Clyde Drexler, Yao Ming, Isaiah Thomas, Wendell Carter Jr., Justin Jackson, Eric Gordon, Ricky Rubio, Landry Shamet

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there's a surprise or two.

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BIG CHANGE, BIG GAME
The Card: Kenyan Drake 2016 Panini Encased Rookie Notable Signatures (/75)
The Price: $3.25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This guy had a change of scenery and a big game in his first time suiting up for the Arizona Cardinals ... so that's why he leads off here. (This week's game? Not so big ... I'll admit.) That one big game -- 15 carries for 110 yards and a TD -- shows how short-term showings could help move cardboard in quick-flip scenarios if you're organized enough or use buy-sell on sites that can let you flip stuff fast. I'd think that this card could have doubled that price had I been selling, but I picked this off well before that game because he's one of the names I grab on the cheap when they present themselves. (This price suits that with an on-card auto and it being a high-end brand.) Had he done much this week, there would probably be more interest in him ... but now we just have to wait to see what happens the rest of the season.
Grab a box right here: 2016 Panini Encased

Keep reading for a few more more interesting pick-ups ...

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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 lot: 2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks basketball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards per box: 42
Base set completion: 
18 of 100* (18 percent) (*two versions for 50 cards)
Duplicates: 0

Notable base cards – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Larry Bird, Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, John Wall, Shaquille O'Neal, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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ALLLLLL ABOARD?
The Item: Zion Williamson 2019-20 Panini Contenders Draft Picks College Ticket parallel (/5)
The Price: $50,000 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The Zion packs are here and there are a number of possibilities with the various parallels in this one -- and there are a number of them that are rare like this card. Will this price be hit? Well, big things are also possible for NBA phenoms -- and there are other active auctions that are higher (seriously, hit that link below) for the No. 1 overall draft pick. So ... maybe. Part of me wants to cite the arrivals of Shaq and LeBron James in comparison to this but the hype train just seems to be bigger and pricier than those Hall of Famers. Will it last? We'll see -- again, anything seems possible with NBA cards and the global demand without a massive global supply -- but the key is to ride the track however you want to as a seller, buyer or collector. We have some time before NBA Hoops arrives with him in pro colors so the Duke stuff will get plenty of attention until that time.
Similar Pieces: Other Zion Williamson Contenders autographs on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019-20 Panini Contenders Draft Picks

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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What: 2018-19 Panini Encased basketball cards
Arrives: July 17
Box basics: Two autographs (one graded) and two memorabilia cards per five-card box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: Encased hits the hardwood for another season with plenty of ink from stars of the past and present.

Keep reading for more info and a gallery of what's to come.

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 5.

The box: 2010-11 Panini Season Update NBA (hobby)
The cost: Click here

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

The Card: 2014 Topps Chrome Update #MB46 Mookie Betts RC
The Reason Graded: I didn't buy a ton of Mega Boxes when these arrived five years ago, but I did land this card, which is a Rookie Debut version for then Red Sox rookie and now-reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts. This card is an ironic classic in that he's captured taking the field at Yankee Stadium. That aspect of the photo isn't as easily seen in Chrome form, but I opted to get this pricier version of the card graded. I'll probably grade some more of my others in the future. For now, though, this one leads the way.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I wasn't that confident in this one as I just have bad luck at times with Chrome cards, but this one turns out to be one of the highest-graded copies. I'll take it, especially considering what I've got up next.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

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What:

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf goes high-end with its next multi-sport release with nothing but "premium hits" in this new line that features a mix of legends from around the sports world all in one place -- and sometimes all in one card.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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 Prizm NBA cards (mega box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (all formats)

Packs per box: 11 (10 standard, one 10-card Pink Ice Prizms pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 50
Base set completion: 
26 of 200 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Bill Russell, Dwyane Wade, Lonzo Ball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jimmy Butler, Blake Griffin

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Update: It's here -- and here's your direct link.

Who wants to wait until Friday? Blowout Cards simply isn't as we're doing the ol' Black Friday thing all week long -- and Black Friday Week begins in less than 12 hours from now.

It all starts on Monday at 7 a.m. Eastern with the biggest deals in the business on tap beginning at that time and lasting as long as they can. But you shouldn't shop and run early as each day will have new deals -- and reloads -- all day long and Buzz will have Buzz Box giveaways -- boxes of free stuff -- each day, too. (Look for details on those tomorrow morning about an hour after the sale madness begins.)

While you've seen Doorbuster deals with each wave of Black November right here all month long, there's even more to come.

Like what? Keep reading for a sneak peek at some of the new deals on the way ...

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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 NBA Hoops basketball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (several formats)

Packs per box: 11
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 88
Base set completion: 71 of 280 (25 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Lonzo Ball, Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, Kyle Kuzma, Lauri Markkanen, Karl-Anthony Towns, Chris Paul

Rookie Cards (8) – Lonnie Walker IV, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jacob Evans III, Josh Okogie, Robert Williams III, Zhaire Smith, Mortiz Wagner

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What: 2018 Leaf Metal Sports Heroes trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 25
Box basics: One sealed autograph card per hobby box (20 boxes per case) or three sealed autos per jumbo box (12 per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf tries a new format for its multi-sport, ink-driven release with a pair of box formats for collectors to choose from as it presents some of the biggest names across the sporting world all in one place.

Keep reading for more and a selection of images.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Big pulls, new additions, game-dated memorabilia cards, a strong 1990s box find & more.

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What:

What's buzz-worthy: Donruss moves to a jumbo-pack format with plenty of new stars and new energy for a new NBA season.

Keep reading for more info and a gallery of what's to come.

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What: 2017-18 Panini Impeccable basketball cards
Arrives: Sept. 19
Box basics: Five autographs per nine-card box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This high-end brand returns to the court with "a wide array of signatures and surprises" with new inclusions that include cards printed on metal and metal inlay cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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Leaf Trading Cards will be one place to grip and rip some packs at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland on Aug. 1-5 as the company will have three wrapper-redemption programs for collectors to consider.

The first is a retro Leaf set that can be chased via a box break at the company's booth. Those who open a box of 2018 Leaf In The Game-used or 2018 Leaf Pop Century will get a two-card pack of 1948 Leaf Metal cards. They'll be paralleled with cards as rare as 1/1 and the roster of names there will include Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, Conor McGregor, Lionel Messi, Ken Griffey Jr., Pele, John Elway, Baker Mayfield, Shaquille O'Neal and Gordie Howe to name a few.

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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 boxes: 2017-18 Panini Threads NBA cards
Where to buy: Initially only at Target ($19.99 apiece)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of two boxes.

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 7.

The box: 1995 Classic 5-Sport retail box
The cost: $15 (will vary if you can find)

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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