[rjcj2017]

Because of the lockout there was no rookie photoshoot, no training camp, no pre-season, no summer league - essentially no opportunity whatsoever to get photo's. Now I know people will say what about the photo's of players in their new uni's for hoops? Those were more than likely squeezed in last minute (especially the lin) and i can just imagine the chaos caused getting those few printed. Imagine chaos trying to get not only players in new team unis but also most of - if not an entire - rookie crop onto cards in a matter of a few days? That's one thing a lot of people who do complain don't seem to be able to comprehend - the lolgistics side of the issue.

We all comprehend it just fine, thanks ... and it's an excuse.

I can understand not having rookies in Hoops — sort of. Barely.

But as for the rest of the remaining products?

No matter how many times or how many posts you defend Panini on in regard to this issue, it's not going to change our minds.

Panini completely and totally sucked on basketball this year, and the lockout is just an excuse.

How about one of those "Rated Rookie" boxed sets like they did in 2010 for football?

How about Panini Update this summer?

They've had enough time to contemplate/decide/produce/execute and deliver on either one or both of those ideas, or to make a better effort to at least get base rookie cards of this year's class into the remaining products.

They've just chosen not to, plain and simple.

Basketball is definitely the red-headed stepchild of trading cards, and Panini most likely enjoyed the fact that they could use the lockout as an excuse to mail it in on basketball this year ... production time, labor costs, promotion, marketing, etc.

And I really do like Panini, especially their basketball cards. I bought almost two full cases of various boxes their first year. I pulled five different Griffin autos and a Kobe auto, so I was very pleased with their products.

They dropped the ball this year, and I only give a small amount of weight to the lockout.