Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Funko’s Newest Collectible Figures Celebrate the NBA’s 75th

A Funko Vinyl Gold Lebron James L.A. Lakers figurine.
A Funko Vinyl Gold Lebron James L.A. Lakers figurine. Funko

The NBA is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout the 2021-22 season. 

To observe this diamond gala, Nike’s NBA City Edition uniforms were released on Nov. 1, the anniversary of the first-ever NBA game played between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies in 1946. The league also released its NBA 75th Anniversary Team, which includes all 50 members of the 1996 NBA 50th Anniversary Team in addition to 25 more players voted by a panel of media members, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives. 11 current players were selected to the squad and now, several of those players have been commemorated as miniature (five-inch and 12-inch) figurines. 

Recommended Videos

Funko, headquartered in Everett, Washington, is making its NBA foray with these collectible representations of some of the sport’s best players. Each player is dressed in quintessential team uniforms and features characteristic musculature, facial expressions, and characteristics. 

Amongst those who have received a Funk rendition are Los Angeles Lakers‘ LeBron James, with signature beard with skinny mustache, Anthony Davis, sporting a typical tee under tank and unibrow. The rest of the list includes Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets, Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. 

These figures are perfect for any veteran or beginning Funko collector. The biggest pro for starting a Funko Pop collection is the funky and distinct look that the models can provide for a man room or sports den. There’s a huge choice of Funko toys, from the new NBA star dolls to hip-hop stalwarts like Notorious B.I.G. and Ice Cube. 

Related Guides

Though these are collectibles, Funko Pop Vinyl boxes are not sealed, so you can actually open, enjoy, and display the toy without destroying its mint value. 

Another thing Funko purchasers can bank on is that when buying a Funko Pop Vinyl, there’s always a limited bonus number produced, such as special editions with only 10 units manufactured. By purchasing a “Chance Of Chase” LeBron James, for example, there’s the opportunity to luck out to receive the ‘chase,’ or limited quantity variant.

Chase variants are shipped at random, so you’ll just have to cross your fingers. Careful, though, because once you dip into the collectible figurine pool, it’s hard not to dive in head first, and begin buying them all up. 

Funko Vinyl Gold NBA collectibles are available for pre-order at www.walmart.com; Five-inch figures retail for $10 and 12-inch figures for $25.

Read More: Insane Details in These Geek Collectibles

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
We just got a hopeful update on the second season of ‘Black Doves’
The show follows a pair of spies on a revenge mission
Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw in Black Doves

Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw might be back for more spying in the near future. The two actors, who starred together in Netflix's Black Doves, seem likely to be back for a second season of the series. That makes sense, given that the show has been hovering in Netflix's Top 10 ever since it was first released.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, show creator Joe Barton, said that the show's staff is full steam ahead on a second season.

Read more
Could the new ‘Superman’ movie save the DC universe?
This new movie looks a lot brighter and more colorful than Zack Snyder's take
David Corenswet in Superman

As an early Christmas present, we got our very first look at James Gunn's new Superman, which is set to hit theaters on July 11. The first trailer, which signals a pretty radical departure from Zack Snyder's version of the character.

The responses to the trailer online have been largely positive, with many noticing how vibrant and colorful the film looks, and also taking note of its use of John Williams's original Superman theme, which has been repurposed here for electric guitar.

Read more
‘Squid Game’ debuts a new Google-based game ahead of season 2
The game replicates the 'red light, green light' game from the first season
Squid Game Season 2 Teaser

The second season of Netflix's Squid Game, which was a massive phenomenon following its first season, is finally almost here. Now, ahead of the second season's release on Dec. 26, Googling Squid Game will get you a fun way to pass a few minutes.

Netflix partnered with Google on the game, which will appear if you tap the brown envelope that appears on the bottom of the screen. The game is a replication of the "red light, green light" came from the show's first season. By pressing the blue circles, you advance six players in pink suits while Young-Hee's head is turned. Your players must stop before she turns around, and if they don't one of them will be eliminated. Thankfully, they don't get brutally shot down and left to lay there like they do on the show.

Read more