Hasbro's Starting Line Up

[fac]

The original SLU was embraced by the sports collectors, although that was more of a frenzied time for sports card collecting when people thought they were going to "invest" in everything that was made and make a fortune later on (as happened with comics around then). But things like bobbleheads and Pops for sports are still popular, I think. McF had a good run with his sports line. But even with inflation, I think the original SLU and the McF stuff would be $20 to $25 at best.

I would think Hasbro would want to get these into the arena shops and the team stores - I think some fans would buy a $50 figure as a game souvenir of their favorite player. This is also a line that needs momentum to me. I think releasing one or two figures a month and retiring versions after a few months is the right model. Bring popular players back in an away jersey later, or prior team jersey, etc.

I agree that stars in basketball may be viewed differently than other sports, but not sure that makes me want to buy a figure of an opposing player. I think a lot of that star focus is the nature of the NBA game, unlike just about any other sport you can feed your star player and spotlight them at the team's discretion. In football, you can lose a game on defense with your star QB watching; in baseball, your best hitter may not get an at-bat in the last 2 innings; while in basketball, the star is getting the ball in the last 2 minutes all the time it seems and is on the court for offense and defense. I think for that reason the NBA is more of star-based league than the others. I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

[Night Wolf]

Almost forgot, besides the Heat players that i want, i also want Dennis Rodman, hell yeah!

[TheSameIdiot]

I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

Based on what I know about Celtics fans? Gonna say that's a no.

I know a lot of folks have mentioned NBA legends, and we're all curious about LeBron in his Cavs jersey, but I wonder if the league put some guardrails on the line. At least the early releases. I can't imagine anyone at Hasbro thought Trae Young would sell better than MJ.

[fac]

I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

Based on what I know about Celtics fans? Gonna say that's a no.

I need to clarify that I am not a Celtics fan! (Sonics, RIP, then 76ers, to the extent I pay close attention.)

[thewyldman]

I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

Based on what I know about Celtics fans? Gonna say that's a no.

I know a lot of folks have mentioned NBA legends, and we're all curious about LeBron in his Cavs jersey, but I wonder if the league put some guardrails on the line. At least the early releases. I can't imagine anyone at Hasbro thought Trae Young would sell better than MJ.

Curious, if the NFL ones will have the same restrictions. I'd buy a Patriots Brady as a fun GI joe thing, but I think I'd skip over his Buccs look.

[thewyldman]

Also need a Charles Barkely for my Godzilla shelf...

[Blackestday]

I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

Based on what I know about Celtics fans? Gonna say that's a no.

I know a lot of folks have mentioned NBA legends, and we're all curious about LeBron in his Cavs jersey, but I wonder if the league put some guardrails on the line. At least the early releases. I can't imagine anyone at Hasbro thought Trae Young would sell better than MJ.

Poor guy is the only one lingering in stock

[EnigmaticClarity]

Also need a Charles Barkely for my Godzilla shelf...

Given that he and Reggie Miller don't allow themselves to be in the NBA video games I wouldn't hold my breath on a figure for him. Barkley has said why he isn't in video games--he says that players aren't compensated, and that while he doesn't want compensation because he's set for life he does want money paid to the NBA Player's Association to go towards compensation for retired players. He's said that while he doesn't need money the vast majority of retired players do, and he's not cool with big companies making money off of him if they're not paying money to lesser-known retired players who need it badly.

[thewyldman]

Interesting that they put these back up for Preorder at the reduced price. I wonder what that says about the future of the line's price point.

[AddictBraids]

I may respect LeBron but am I buying him for $50 and putting him in my office if I am a Celtics fan?

Based on what I know about Celtics fans? Gonna say that's a no.

I know a lot of folks have mentioned NBA legends, and we're all curious about LeBron in his Cavs jersey, but I wonder if the league put some guardrails on the line. At least the early releases. I can't imagine anyone at Hasbro thought Trae Young would sell better than MJ.

Poor guy is the only one lingering in stock

Ice Trae is the man! I bought one at full price. Trae is super fun to watch!

[Blackestday]

Also need a Charles Barkely for my Godzilla shelf...

Given that he and Reggie Miller don't allow themselves to be in the NBA video games I wouldn't hold my breath on a figure for him. Barkley has said why he isn't in video games--he says that players aren't compensated, and that while he doesn't want compensation because he's set for life he does want money paid to the NBA Player's Association to go towards compensation for retired players. He's said that while he doesn't need money the vast majority of retired players do, and he's not cool with big companies making money off of him if they're not paying money to lesser-known retired players who need it badly.

looks like you still can't even order a barkley or miller jersey from team's sites they played for. you have to create a custom one.... pacers offer a chris mullin jersey which is pretty cool.

there were a few others that wouldn't do the video game thing but i can't remember who or why.

[thewyldman]

Pretty happy with the Curry and Lebron figures. Ordered Gianis to complete the collection of bucks, but don't really need much else from this line in regards to modern basketball players. I will say is funny putting these guys next to Classified or Legends figures and seeing how thin and not bulky a realistic looking Lebron is compared to standard action figure proportions lol

[thewyldman]

Man Trae Young is still there in stock

[TheSameIdiot]

They would've been better off with Jokic or Zion.

[Atkirkp]

Also need a Charles Barkely for my Godzilla shelf...

Given that he and Reggie Miller don't allow themselves to be in the NBA video games I wouldn't hold my breath on a figure for him. Barkley has said why he isn't in video games--he says that players aren't compensated, and that while he doesn't want compensation because he's set for life he does want money paid to the NBA Player's Association to go towards compensation for retired players. He's said that while he doesn't need money the vast majority of retired players do, and he's not cool with big companies making money off of him if they're not paying money to lesser-known retired players who need it badly.

looks like you still can't even order a barkley or miller jersey from team's sites they played for. you have to create a custom one.... pacers offer a chris mullin jersey which is pretty cool.

there were a few others that wouldn't do the video game thing but i can't remember who or why.

After Barkley and Miller, Chris Weber and Rasheed Wallace are the next 2 that I noticed that were missing right away. Marc Gasol is not be in 2K23, I'd think he be on the Grizzles all-time team, yet his brother Pau is.