The History of Essential Credentials Basketball Cards

Essential Credentials are some of basketball’s most recognizable parallels, with two versions: Now and Future.

The serial numbers depended on how many players were in that year’s checklist. Now counted up with the card number; Future counted down from the checklist total. In 1997–98, there were 80 players: Michael Jordan was #9, so his Now was /9 and his Future was /72. Some later years used separate groups or different numbering.

Future

Now

Michael Jordan #9 · Essential Credentials Now /9 and Future /72

1997–98 SkyBox E-X2001

The first Essential Credentials Now and Future pair built on E-X2001’s acetate-and-foil design. Now came in green, while Future used pink and purple. Their print runs went in opposite directions, with 81 total copies across the two versions for each player.

Kobe Bryant #10 · Essential Credentials Future /81

1998–99 SkyBox E-X Century

E-X Century gave the series a fresh look with sweeping curves and bright foil. The opposite numbering returned across a 90-card checklist: Now counted up and Future counted down, adding up to 91 copies per player.

Tim Duncan #17 · Essential Credentials Future /44

1999–00 E-X

E-X moved into a new century with bold curves and vivid color. The numbering was split into two groups: veterans #1–60 and rookies #61–90, with the Now and Future counts restarting for the rookie section.

Tim Duncan #79 · Essential Credentials, printed Now /201

2000–01 Fleer E-X

The 2000–01 design paired player photos with angular color fields and muted backgrounds. This season took a different approach to scarcity: the first 100 cards were numbered to 201, while cards #101–130 were numbered to 21.

Tim Duncan #89 · Essential Credentials Future /42

2001–02 Fleer E-X

Bright frames and distinctive lettering gave the 2001–02 cards a new look. Now and Future counting restarted after card #60, and separate memorabilia versions of the first 60 cards added game-used jersey pieces.

Kobe Bryant #9 · Essential Credentials Future /94

2003–04 Fleer E-X

E-X returned with acetate, angular panels and metallic finishes. Now and Future followed opposite numbering across the 102-card checklist. The season also brought LeBron James’s rookie card into the Essential Credentials story.

Kobe Bryant #2 · Essential Credentials Future /106

2004–05 SkyBox E-XL

E-XL traded sharp panels for sweeping oval shapes and rich color. Now used blue foil and Future used red, with print runs moving in opposite directions across the 107-card checklist.

LeBron James #6 · Essential Credentials Future /75

2006–07 Fleer E-X

Essential Credentials returned with a new E-X design built around bold side panels and vertical lettering. Now and Future brought back the familiar opposite numbering, closing this look at the basketball releases.