Inside Immaculate: Panini America Readies 2012-13 Immaculate Basketball for Release

Really, it's hard to fathom -- given the extraordinary success and mainstream media coverage of Panini America's 2012-13 Flawless Basketball -- that another 2012-13 NBA product could generate so much intense anticipation and pre-release buzz so soon on the heels of the still-blazing Flawless fire. But from the very beginning, it was obvious that 2012-13 Immaculate Basketball was no ordinary product.

Panini America 2012-13 Immaculate Kyrie Number

Really, it’s hard to fathom — given the extraordinary success and mainstream media coverage of Panini America’s 2012-13 Flawless Basketball — that another 2012-13 NBA product could generate so much intense anticipation and pre-release buzz so soon on the heels of the still-blazing Flawless fire. But from the very beginning, it was obvious that 2012-13 Immaculate Basketball was no ordinary product.

It’s the blockbuster finale to Panini America’s 2012-13 NBA season, a product that lacks Flawless’ jaw-dropping price tag, its precious gems and its “what’s in the briefcase” mystique. What it does have, however, are some of the greatest memorabilia cards in NBA history, six-Logoman booklets and just a few surprises.

At various points this week, seemingly every member of the Panini America Product Development and Production teams spent considerable time at the company printing facility putting the finishing touches on the packout process for Immaculate. Now that their job is done and the product has shipped, it’s time to begin peeking — perhaps even gawking — at the results.

Beginning today and continuing through the weekend, The Knight’s Lance will deliver a series of Immaculate previews so filthy some offices might consider the content NSFW (not safe for work). Rest assured, though, the images — like the cards they showcase — are suitable for all ages.

Today, we offer first looks at the set’s Kevin Durant autograph content, some of the aforementioned astounding memorabilia cards and, yes, those serendipitous Six Star Logoman Booklets. Enjoy the images and stay tuned for continued Immaculate coverage all weekend long.

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0 Replies to “Inside Immaculate: Panini America Readies 2012-13 Immaculate Basketball for Release”

  1. Wow, a lot of these are amazing! But it breaks my heart being a huge Bulls fan, and seeing the 6 star logoman of the Bulls with the main man DRose. I know he had a Logoman /3 in NT, but man no love for Immaculate. And no jumbo patches for DRose? But I see a mini patch with him.

  2. Absolutely amazing cards! But what’s with Vince Carter Raptor patches and a picture of him in a Dallas uni? Same with an amazing Pippen Bulls logo patch, but he’s in a Blazers uniform?

    Why not make them consistent?

      1. Thanks, looking forward to hearing about this, because it looks like there are cards featuring Vince Carter in a Raptors uniform with a small raptors patch, I’m just wondering why it’s ok there, but not for the big time cards.

  3. AH NOOOOO!!!!!

    Why did you picture Vince Carter in a Mavericks uni with so many nice Raptors patches (that really ruins these otherwise spectacular cards!!)
    Same with the Pippen Bulls head and CP3 patches, would have been so much better if these players were depicted in the same uni to reflect the patches!

  4. I noticed a lot of Flawless had Game Worn material for the rookie cards.

    Does the same hold true for Immaculate? Ie, when I see triple logoman of Kyrie Irving, are all 3 game-worn?

    Awesome stuff, the Vince Carter Raptors patches look amazing. I’m going to try to get a piece of that. Did you do anything with the Lettermans (ie Genuine Letters/Lettermarks like in Prime Hockey).

  5. I cannot believe that there is a Scottie Pippen Jumbo Bulls Patch Logo when he is depicted in a Trailblazers uniform.

  6. Beautiful cards!
    But pleas allow me to say something what i don’t like after watching this preview. I think it is annoying when you have a beautiful patch from (obviously) the Raptors logo, and you see Vince Carter in a Dallas jersey on the same card. I think you can find pictures about him where he wears a Raptors jersey.

  7. Flawless patches are amazing but these are even better. Great job Panini America.

    I sold out of Flawless and reordered three times. Customers here in San Antonio all said they were well worth the cost. I bought much more Immaculate for my San Antonio customers, but I am afraid I will be hunting for more by week’s end. Can’t wait. It will be exciting.

  8. That looks like Panini’s best set yet, but as a Bulls collector I’m very displeased panini would use that gorgeous pippen bull head patch and then have him pictured in a portland uni

  9. The absolute best pictures of any preview, in my opinion, have to be the ones where the sick patch cards are all lined up and you see the whole original patch at one time. Seen those in hockey and now in basketball and they really are incredible pictures.

  10. Just jaw-dropping, this is just an amazing looking set. I didn’t see any Suns in this preview, any chance we are going to see Barkley or KJ in an upcoming preview?

  11. Hello, This is Karvin here at the Canadian Fall Expo at our booth. I apologize for not getting back to these questions earlier. In regards to the Vince Carter Raptors logos cards. When we built the cards, we initially were going to use the Dallas logo; however, when we discovered that we had an intact Raptors jersey that was far more exciting for us to bring to collectors, we had to use it. Its an older style of jersey that no longer exists. Since I’m a huge Raptors fan, it was an easy decision to use it. I can’t wait to see one of you get the eye of the Raptor.

    We can only feature current players in older uniforms if there is a theme, thus the Slam Dunk six star logomans have Vince in a Raptors uniform. There was not any type of retro theme in the Immaculate Logos cards. We also have other players that will feature current and older logos on the same card (we have Celtics and Heat logos cards for Ray Allen for example).

    Hope this helps.

    Happy Hunting!

    KC

    1. That does help, but what about with the Pippen, since he isn’t a current player, what would the problem be using him in a Bulls uniform for the picture?

  12. Immaculate looks like the BEST NBA product EVER!! I could care less what jersey the player is wearing on the card because the Patches are AMAZING!!! It’s been a long time since I was SO excited to pull a Jersey card, I’ve already pre-ordered 2 boxes and can’t wait to crack them open! Great job Tracy and great job Panini Team!

  13. Unbelievable job!! I believe in years to come this will be talked about over and over as an epic product. Tracy, just wondering if there is any way to stop International buyers from selling on Ebay before we get it here in the US? You did a great job with Flawless, just wondering if you could do the same for immaculate? Also, will there be ANY redemptions at all in this product? Thx!

  14. Why do I have to live literally where 80% of the Toronto “snowbirds” are coming? Will there ever be a “national” in Florida? Please keep posting the awesome pulls guys

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