Panini America Offers a Scintillating Peek at 2013-14 Preferred Basketball Booklets

While many passionate collectors continue basking in the Optichrome-candied radiance of Panini America’s 2013-14 Spectra Basketball two days after its release, many others are anxiously awaiting what’s next — 2013-14 Preferred Basketball — with a giddy, night-before-Christmas-in-July sense of excitement. One look at some of the booklets and you’ll start to understand why.

Last week, Panini America Basketball Brand Manager Cory Hollingsworth camped out at the company printing facility to help take part in packout for Spectra and to help begin the Quality Control process for Preferred. Thankfully, he also was nice enough to snap a few revealing Preferred booklet shots while he was there.

Today, we’re going to share those images with you as we begin the countdown to next Wednesday’s North American release date for Preferred. The first thing you’ll notice in the following gallery (after you pick your jaw up off the floor) is likely the sublime NBA Finals Booklets featuring massive swatches of game-worn jersey from the 2013 NBA Finals. Simply, you won’t find a filthier series of books this side of “50 Shades.”

Also showcased in the preview gallery below are captivating Vs. and Team booklets that promise to make the five days between now and Wednesday’s release seem just a little more longer. Enjoy the gallery and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance next week for continued coverage, including Monday’s must-see Quality Control Gallery.