Kings of the Diamond

A @CrackinWax #CrackinWaxMailDay features the brand new Diamond Kings set from Panini. 

It only dawned on me this week that Panini's Diamond Kings in baseball has an NBA equivalent in Court Kings. I've been wondering for awhile how this set continued to carry on the "Diamond Kings" name, yet doesn't seem to be related to the Diamond Kings of Donruss that we know (and sometimes loved). After staring at some digital images of new Court Kings cards this week, I finally made the connection.

The new Diamond Kings set just came out, and I entered a couple of breaks over at Crackin' Wax as is my wont these days.

The set looks pretty good this year, with white borders on the expected "Kings" canvas feel. (Cardfeel? Should we establish that as a word?)

This is a pretty solid insert design, featuring 2020 Diamond Kings cover star Stan the Man. Apparently Panini only has access to something like two Musial pictures, though, because this is the same one used on the packaging and just about every card of his that they've ever released.

Ozzie! I think the Wizard has been skipped over in previous Diamond Kings releases, so it's nice to see him on a new card in 2020.

Here's another look at Goldy, this time in a classy gray frame.

I entered some other breaks as well, landing a Steve Carlton Baseball Flashbacks insert from 2019 Topps Heritage (not pictured) and this numbered Alex Reyes parallel from 2016 Bowman Platinum. I haven't heard a word about Reyes in awhile. It would be a nice story if Reyes was able to somehow contribute this season, if there is some kind of season. I would think there would be less pressure on him right now in these crazy times, but you never know.