Img_1567

Background

McFarlane’s Sports Picks has become one of the company's most recognizable figure lines (perhaps second behind Spawn).  They currently produce figures for the four major US sports – hockey, football, baseball and basketball. 

Img_1561

Their NBA line is now in it’s sixth year, with Series 12 being released in March 2007.  Many of the most recognizable names in the sport have been immortalized in action figure form.  Series 12 includes the following players: Gilbert Arenas (Wizards), Chris Paul (Hornets), Elton Brand (Clippers), Dwayne Wade (Heat), Allen Iverson (Nuggets), Tony Parker (Spurs) and Ben Wallace (Bulls).

Img_1542

Img_1540

Packaging

McFarlane uses it’s clamshell packaging for the Sports Picks line. Once your remove the figure, you won’t be able to replace it in the packaging for display.   Collectors are often conflicted with clamshell, because it protects but it’s a pain to open.

Img_1576

The Figures

Series 12 has a combination of veterans and up and coming stars.  Chris
Paul, Dwayne Wade and Tony Parker are some of the best young players in
the NBA.  Will these players continue to be worthy of a McFarlane
figure?  Probably.  Iverson and Wallace definitely deserve the Sports
Pick treatment.

The line is 6” scale and most figures have limited articulation.  All
of the figures come with a piece of fake hardwood floor, emblazoned
with their name, number and team logo.

Img_1586


Our Opinion

It must be difficult for the McFarlane sculptors to continually come up
with new poses for their Sports picks figures.  Of this line, most of
the poses work perfectly.  The only one I have an issue with is Elton
Brand.  I get the feeling that is due time, there might be issues with
Brand bending and tipping over.

Img_1571

We actually didn’t receive a Ben Wallace figure to review, but of the
six remaining figures our favorite sculpts are as follows:  Dwayne
Wade, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Gilbert Arenas, Allen Iverson and then
Elton Brand – in that order.  The Wade figure is also impressive,
because his extended dunking sculpt makes it necessary to package him
with his legs unattached.

Img_1581

You can pick one up at the following:

Amazon.com: $9.99 - $16.99

NBA Series 12 Grades:

Quality: 8/10
Paint: 9/10
Durability: 8/10
Hype: 6/10
Fun Factor: 6/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 8.6/10

Img_1558

Img_1560

Img_1564

Img_1565

Img_1568

Img_1569

Img_1572

Img_1573

Img_1577

Img_1578

Img_1582

Img_1584

Img_1587

Img_1588