This is actually the first card we’re looking at from 1994-95 Skybox. After the computer-generated backgrounds from 1990-91 and ’91-92, Skybox began to transition to a classy full-bleed photo design. Here in 1994-95 Skybox Premium, they doubled down on the previous year’s design in a great way. In terms of digital, they did keep the orange swoosh on the ball. Great choice since that’s been present from the beginning. The bar with the name on the front is now black, where it was white the previous year. It is less intrusive in black. The last name is in a team color. The action would pass in front of this bar for a nice layered effect. You can see Scott Williams’ arm on top in this one. And the Skybox logo that was multi-colored is now solid gold with a hint of texture. Again, visually more subtle, but great added texture. This is what we like to see…simple, small changes in a positive direction! Nice design, too bad we didn’t have a Jordan here! This is the year that Skybox started their E-Motion set, but these regular Skybox shouldn’t be overlooked.
The set was a good size too, 200 cards in the first Series (that’s where this Scott Williams lies) and another 150 in the second. Much more compact than the early ’90’s.
Before we go, let’s give time to this Scott Williams card in particular. It’s interesting in that it shows how Skybox handled trades this year. Scott Williams played for Chicago off-the-bench during the Bulls first three-peat but before this 1994-95 season began, he was traded to Philadelphia. Skybox chose to keep him with the Chicago Bulls team cards so that the photos matched but indicate with the team logo that he signed with the 76ers. This card is also a reminder that Scott Williams joined the Bulls undrafted. He signed as a free agent and there is a fascinating interview on HoopsHype.com that explains how Michael Jordan put together a basketball game for “underprivileged kids” and afterwards called Jerry Krause telling him he should give Scott Williams a closer look.
So here is our first card from 1994-95 Skybox. Common card, but neat background story and a good chance to look at the design of this set. Hope you enjoyed and please subscribe and collect with us! We’re building sets one card at a time and studying every card in depth, no matter how common!
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