It started way back in April, almost 10 months ago, with a simple post: "Collectors' Choice: You Make the Call for a Special Insert in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball." It was a post spurred by Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter, who asked whether or not readers of "The Knight's Lance" might be interested in selecting an insert set for the product.
It started way back in April, almost 10 months ago, with a simple post: “Collectors’ Choice: You Make the Call for a Special Insert in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball.” It was a post spurred by Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter, who asked whether or not readers of “The Knight’s Lance” might be interested in selecting an insert set for the product.
My response, quicker than electricity, was an adamant, over-the-top “absolutely.” In fact, I contended that you would be so interested that we should give you — the collective “Knight’s Lance” audience — complete autonomy over the set. And from there, “A Night to Remember” took on a life of its own.
Through a series of unique polls conducted right here, you selected the theme of the insert, the name of the insert, the checklist for the insert and even the design of the insert. From start to finish, the passion-packed polling process took just more than a month and included some of the most intense and inspiring collector interaction we’ve seen in quite some time. And for that, we thank you.
Now, almost eight months later, everyone at Panini America is proud to say that your insert set — the one you hand-picked from start to finish — is completed and will be live in packs of 2011-12 NBA Hoops beginning next week. To be sure, the 20-card set is a history-maker for it represents likely the first time a major trading card manufacturer has turned over the Product Development reins directly to collectors.
So, from us to you: Kudos for a job extremely well done.
Below you’ll find exclusive images of every card in the set — front and back. But before you do that, know that Porter just hand-delivered to me a complete 20-card “A Night to Remember” set. And we’re going to give it away as a “thank you” to one lucky reader who participated in the polling process.
Thanks again for your participation and stay tuned to “The Knight’s Lance” for more opportunities just like this.
Great idea and fantastic set.
Great insert set. I’ll be looking forward to opening packs to see this set. That Porter fellow must be one of your best and brightest. Give him a raise!
He works for commons! And he’s worth every one. That Porter is a keeper.
Boom! GO Ray!! Great idea from start to finish, great to have the oppurtunity to contribute in the polls!
Great insert set. They look awesome! Glad to have participated in the voting. They came out looking nice with the color against the gray. wow!
We may have picked the cards, but the graphics on those babies are just OUTSTANDING!
There gonna be a sp auto version of this set?
Not this time.
Fine execution of a great idea. Very cool!!!
I also love that there’s a modern insert set with a card featuring Scott Skies. Those background images are perfect and bring me back too.
that JET card is sweet!
Not the set I voted for…but this is WAY cooler than what I imagined! Can’t wait to see Hoops live.
This was a great idea, but I’m still waiting for the first “Design a Panini card” contest to be inserted into a product.
I like the way you’re thinking, Kevin.
Hey Tracy, Im trying to get a hold of CS to talk about some replacements they are sending but the call center isn’t ‘finished updating yet’. Im getting 4 of 6 Amar’e Stoudemire Autos replaced and the selection is questionable. I would like to talk to someone about this since I was promised a call back before replacements would be sent out but I never got a call back.
sweet design…luv the color contrast with the blk n white, really sets the card off