Topps Chrome Basketball Remembers The Legends

I know collector’s purchase this product to get a great autographed rookie card and some nice serial-numbered rookies of some of the game’s up and coming players but now this set has really expanded its scope to include many of the legends of the game and I applaud them for remembering these terrific players.

Players like Wilt Chamberlain (76ers), Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Jo Jo White (Celtics) and Pete Maravich have been included and I love that. The pictures aren’t everyday run of the mill shots either. The rare shot of “Pistol Pete” really shows off his baggy socks and overall grunge look that he had. He was like poetry in motion to watch. He was a hot dog but he could back it up and he could shoot the lights out! Michael Ray Richardson (4-time All-Star) got a card and this former Knick was one of the best players in the game until his off the court problems ruined his career.

The sets classic design is sharp but there are a bit too many dunk shots of the youngsters for my taste. The inclusion of 1958-59 variation autographs and “Youthquake Autos” add some extra spice to the set. So for $85 lets see what I got.

My rookie auto was of Pistons forward Walter Sharpe. He didn’t play a lot of college games (as detailed on the back of his card bio!) yet he was the 32nd overall pick by Seattle (remember them) in 2008 and then he was traded to Detroit. The 6-9, 245-pound power forward is playing sparingly so far so I will keep an eye out for him.

Of the 13 rookies that I pulled a copper rookie (#’d to 499) of D.J. Augustin was the best pull so far. He is a guard for the Bobcats and so far he is averaging 12.1 pts, 4.1 asst, and 1.8 reb. Not bad so this card is a real keeper! This was the best pull of the box as of today but lets see what the future might bring.

My next card is a really rare card but of a lesser rookie, Wizards center JaVale McGee. This purple (I know these colors are hard to figure out) version is numbered to just 5! This seven-footer is a long shot and so far he had a nice 20-point game this year so there is hope for him and this card could be something down the road.

I did get base rookies of Robin Lopez (Phoenix), Derrick Rose (Chicago), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma) and Roy Hibbert (Pacers), actually two of the Indiana pick so I feel that I got a good box for the money. This product still delivers good hits at a fair price.