Watch the Throne

"The homies call me lucky lefty, I'm flashy and deadly…" - @S_C_

The game of basketball is often referred to as a metaphor to our everyday lives. Every now and again a person will arrive, and everything, including the game and world around it changes.

Can't Knock the Hustle

Skylar Diggins has become one of the most recognizable faces within and outside of her profession as an athlete. The precocious point guard is a household name, and most certainly can draw a crowd on and off the court.

Diggins possesses an it factor that cannot be taught, and is hardly understood. She is very conscious, strategic, and her business savvy would give any CEO a run for their money. I recently caught up with her on the road in the nation's capital, and she was better than advertised. Skylar Diggins is as rare as she is talented, and her potential is limitless.

Words - @axgilbert

Photo - Getty Images

Cameraman - @appolonaxg

Ring King

"Ain't that like LeBron James..."


Kanye West - Gotta Have It






Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Associated Press

Post Season - Miami Heat

"Funny how my old highs is suddenly my new lows..."


J. Cole - Grew up Fast

The Miami Heat are on a mission for a second championship in their franchise's history, but it's LeBron James that wants to be first in line to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Style

"I'm out here ballin', I know y'all hear my sneaks..."

Jay-Z - No Church in the Wild

Paul George is an up and coming NBA player from southern California. He has been getting a lot of attention and recognition not only for his game, but also for his penchant for wearing exclusive sneakers.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: AXG

Humility

"My city on the map, there is no other option like a slow quarterback..."


Wale - Work


The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best teams in the league...and they get the job done night in and night out flying seemingly under the radar.


Go Mode


There is no time like the present for the Thunder. They are quite arguably one of the more entertaining clubs to watch, and their 30-8 record makes them statistically the 2nd best next to the Chicago Bulls. 
Last week during their stay in Philadelphia, I took time to get a better understanding of their humble superstar Kevin Durant.


First I spoke with Royal Ivey, and then KD:


AXG: You're wearing the Nike Zoom KD IV...you're with Nike now?


Ivey:  Yeah, KD got me a deal...and I wear his shoes.


AXG:  The Thunder losing last year to Dallas is in my opinion the best thing to happen to y'all.


Ivey:  You're right! We can't wait for the playoffs to start, we're so hungry right now!


AXG:  You mentioned how the lockout games helped you win the All Star MVP.


Durant:  It gave me confidence playing in those games. I was trying a lot of different stuff, and once you try stuff in a game setting, it's easier to try it in a real game, so moves I was trying then...became muscle memory in my mind with the moves I'm doing now. 


AXG:  Did you really take Mega Bus during the summer from NYC to DC?


Durant:  Yeah I did, and it was a long trip too!


AXG:  How is it that you can stay so humble?


Durant:  That's the type of person that I am. No matter what, whatever happens...I always gotta be humble, and know that at any point this can be taken away.


AXG:  You always have your mother and family around supporting you.


Durant:  Like I told you, when I was growing up, I didn't think none of this would happen. My goal was to make it to the NBA, and I had my sights set on making it to the NBA, and once I did I was like cool...whatever happens after this is a bonus. The stuff that's going on for me right now...I'm just so blessed to be in this position. First of all to have people believe in me, every single night, and to showcase my skills, and have teammates that believe in me, they trust in me. But to become an All Star, and to win an All Star MVP...that's just like on a whole other level for me man. It's a blessing, so having my mom there is like we're going through this together. It was just me, mother, my brother, and my dad living in an apartment, 2-bedroom apartment, and to go from that so quickly to this...I was 18 living in a 2-bedroom apartment, with my mom, my dad, and my brother, and months later I was in the NBA, and 5-years later I'm an All Star MVP so stuff is coming quickly, and I never expected it.


This is just the beginning for Oklahoma City, and their budding star Kevin Durant.


Words: @axgilbert


Picture: Anthony Gilbert/AXG

Memories

"Ain't that like LeBron James..."

Kanye West - Gotta Have It

The NBA in my opinion has the best all-star game out of all the major sports...as much as I love baseball, the MLB is close second when it comes to overall presentation.

Nostalgia

As a child I can recall watching the all-star game for two very specific reasons: the first was because I was such a fan of the professional game, and I wanted nothing more than to cheer for the likes of Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, and Reggie Miller. The other point about the game was that Jordan would always wear his new sneakers, so I kept a keen watch on what he was wearing.

Every February Nike would release the new Jordan sneaker. Everyone around the globe anticipated what the new shoe would look like. Once the shoe made it's debut, you would wait an entire calendar year for the next one. Between the man who wore them, and the exclusivity of the footwear...the Jordan sneakers took on a life of their own. 

Fast forward to the present day, and it's safe to say that one man, and one shoe changed the industry, and sports culture forever.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: AXG

Magical

"I'mma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up..."


Kanye West - Gotta Have It

Things have been very interesting around the NBA the past 2-weeks, as the Heat, and Thunder continue to win...while Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin is getting on the job training.


Consistency


It's the All-Star break and while 90-percent of the league is enjoying the much needed time off...the other 10-percent have arrived in Orlando ready for the 61st midseason classic. I am currently watching the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge high above the court in section 202 of the Amway Center...however what's more important is what will happen from the moment this weekend ends, and the second half of the season begins?


Will the Lakers make a trade, where will Dwight Howard go, are the Clippers for real, and can the 76ers get their groove back?


The month of March is around the corner and the answers to these questions and many others will soon be revealed.


Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Shark Week

"Hunt me or be hunted..." 


Notorious B.I.G. - Unbelievable


Nike is a brand that prides itself in listening to the voice of the athlete to make the best footwear and apparel. Luckily for us, things continue to get better over time.


Superb


Nike Basketball has a series within the Kobe signature shoe line entitled the "Predator Pack". Bryant is an avid fan of the Discovery Channel, as he enjoys learning about nature, and how he can incorporate it into his game. Some of the animals that have made the exclusive pack are the cheetah, poison dart frog, North American grey wolf, and the great white shark.


"The philosophy I have is that you either be the hunter or the hunted, the predator or the prey. I'm not trying to be the prey," Bryant stated.


Kobe's predatory focus on the game is what has made him a 5-time NBA champion, as his search for another title continues.


Words: @axgilbert


Video: Footlocker

Air Quality

"I need you bad as my heartbeat, bad like the food I eat...bad as the air I breathe..."

Jazmine Sullivan - Need U Bad

The Villain

"You want me off the scene fast...but good things last..."

Nas - Hate Me Know

With a lithe build, and determination of 10 men...Reggie Miller gave me hope that I could one day grow to be just like him on the basketball court.

Heart

I was always the skinny kid on my team, and while that may not seem to matter...on top of that I had really BIG glasses to add fuel to the awkward fire. My mom didn't indulge in my heart's desire of Nike sneakers, and Ralph Lauren clothing...instead she made sure that my siblings and I had a good education, home cooked meals, a house to dwell in, and a bunch of other things 13-year old children take for granted.

There was one place where my clothes from the local thrift store and poor taste in footwear didn't matter, and that was on the playground where I learned the finer points of playing basketball. Once I became one of the better defensive players in my neighborhood...I took a cue from the very skinny, unorthodox guard of the Indiana Pacers, Reggie Miller, because it was in him that I found solace in being different. At the end of the day Miller, as quirky, and nerdy as he might have appeared...was an ambitious NBA All-Star that got respect, and if and when he did not get it...then the better he played, and the more he was feared.

I began to emulate Miller as best I could even growing my hair into a "pump" or "slope" just like him. I even understood why he loved playing on the road more than at home...because when my high school team was away from our friendly confines I used the crowd against themselves. I begged them to boo and jeer me, because it didn't take me long to make them regret that day. I wouldn't score many points, but it was when I scored...or stole that ball that made the difference. Oh yeah...I was a big trash talker...I would talk to the other team...opposing coaches...as well as the rabid fans...it made me work harder to silence them, and that was better than anyone cheering for me to succeed. My father was always very negative, so in a way...the harsh environment of road games enabled me to shine, just like my hero once upon a time.

Reggie Miller will forever be one of my all time favorite players, and every time I see him, I smile because he provided so much relief for me, all through the wondrous sport that he helped make so great.

Next week on Sunday, March 14, ESPN will continue their ESPN 30 for 30 movie series...and Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks is the one that I will watch with the fervor and joy of a scrawny,13-year old boy from the playground.

Legendary

"Shaq, Eddie, Kobe Bryant and 'em..."

Beanie Sigel - Adrenaline

The two highest individual scoring totals in the league are 100, and 81-points respectively.

Imagine

I often marvel at these games, however what I find more mind bending than the numbers, is the fact that both Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant are from West Philly. They have walked the same streets and played at the same courts where I did, and as a Philadelphian it gives me a sense of pride. I never met Dippy, but it was Bean that challenged me to a game the first time I met him once upon a time.

Little did I know he would grow up to become such a dominant force in the game, and never in a million years would I have thought that I would be writing about it.

Now that's crazy!

Dominate

"I'm Morpheus in this hip-hop matrix..."

Common - The 6th Sense

The Lakers began this season on a tear playing well without Pau Gasol, and once he rejoined the team, they stepped things up a notch. Lately they've toiled , yet the victories have continued (except for Christmas), and while the collective difficulties have baffled LA supporters...one thing has remained constant...

Exit Wounds

I got home on Friday evening from a long day at work, and as usual I turned the cable box to channel 7. The familiar melody of Sportscenter began to chime through the speakers, and at last I was reunited with one of my favorite programs. Before I could untie my Nike boots, Stan Verrett announced that the Lake Show was down 20-points to the Kings in the 2nd quarter.

I looked up to see how much time was remaining before the half, and then I proceeded to get comfortable...fire up my MacBook, and break the seal on my room temperature Fiji water. This has become the norm most recently, as the Lakers have struggled until the 4th quarter, then Kobe Bean Bryant emerges and saves the day with an array of Dark Knight acrobatics, and insanely clutch shooting.

He is currently playing with a broken index finger on his right hand, nevertheless, the hits keep coming. Kobe has an unfathomable desire to win, coupled with a highly competitive nature...making him a one man wrecking crew with really nice sneakers.

Photo: Evan Gole/NBAE via Getty Images

Legacy

Past, Present, and the Future

"Destiny lays in my hands..."

Notorious B.I.G. - Victory

In the picture above you can see me whispering something to Kobe as he was preparing to leave, after an appearance at a Nike event in lower Manhattan. Two weeks prior to that encounter...Bryant had scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, making him second only to Wilt Chamberlain for most points scored in an NBA game. 

Candid Camera

I had something to tell KB24, and my friend and fraternity brother Stanley Lumax took a picture. I wanted to connect the Philadelphia dots with Kobe on his historic feat...as history repeated itself on February 2, 2009. 

I was in New York City to cover the Knicks vs. Lakers game, and Stanley was going to attend and take pictures, but at the last minute I couldn't get him a photo credential, so I was flying solo as usual. Bryant scored 61 points...good enough for the top spot in Madison Square Garden, surpassing both Michael Jordan and Bernard King...this time however instead of having a photo to remember the magic moment, I found a video on YouTube that summed it up a little better.

Last week in searching for footage of Spike Lee's upcoming documentary Kobe Doin' Work, I found the clip above that shows in its entirety, the press conference after the 61 point performance...and while I don't boast...I was happy to see and hear myself...as I understand that it's not only the athletes that have a legacy in their respective sports. As a journalist, I too will have something that speaks for me upon my retirement.

By Any Means Necessary...

AG. and CP3 in DC.

Leader of the pack

Fashion forward

"Legend in two games, like I'm Pee Wee Kirkland..."

Pusha T - Grindin'

Many people are going to spend time with their families during the holiday season, so with that I'd like to share a story of family about Chris Paul and I.

He and I are very similar...but before you think that’s a stretch, you must know that we are both young, down-to-earth, friendly people who played college basketball. “CP3” is the very talented point guard while I’m the shooting guard turned journalist. What I admire the most about him is his commitment to his family, and in that, I would say the comparison is right on target.

Family Ties

In the 2002-03 season of his senior year at West Forsyth High School, Chris Paul was on top of the basketball world, playing his way to 30.8 points, 8.0 assists, 6.0 steals and 5.0 rebounds per contest. Fast forward, and was the 2005-06 NBA Rookie and is currently one of the best players in the league.

If you don’t know the correlation between his senior season in high school and where he stands today, it’s simple: He dedicates himself to his family. When his grandfather Nathaniel Fredrick Jones was murdered in 2002, Paul took out his frustration on the opposing team to the tune of 61 points, making one point for every year of his grandfather’s life. With an opportunity to score point 62 on a foul shot, he intentionally missed and took himself out of the game, and the rest is a lesson in love and respect.

For me, my family is at the top of my priority list, and as the middle child I have an opportunity to look to my left to my younger sister, and to the right at my older brother and learn from each of them. However, the one person that I learn and have learned the most from is my mother. She has taught me how to be a man and to lead by example, but while I have the utmost love for my mother, I have the same amount for the woman who raised her, Blanche Holmes. “Aunt” Blanche was born in March of 1897 to sharecropping parents in St. Matthew, SC. 

This is no history lesson, but needless to say she didn’t have any formal training to read, write and do arithmetic. In fact, she grew up during a time where segregation and Jim Crow laws were the standard way of life and African-Americans were not even recognized as human beings…and despite all of that, she gave me the best opportunity I could ever get by raising my mother, beginning in 1953, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

I can remember Aunt Blanche, as she would later move in with us and I would wonder what she would think of our television set. Not only was it color, but it was a huge floor model, and we also had a VCR with a remote control. You see, when my mother was growing up, they had a black and white TV and the set was always on CBS because Aunt Blanche thought the TV would break if you turned the channel. She would always tell me when I was actin’ up to “behave yourself before the red car comes and gets you.” The red car was the police, even though by that time police cars in Philadelphia were blue. But she was old school and had I been old enough to realize her wisdom, I could have learned something special from her. She passed away in 1987, but she is with me now more than ever before. I often sit and think of were she came from in relation to me and where I am today.

I’m a college graduate, professional journalist and TV personality, and the only reason is because of what everyone has done before me. Whenever I write a story, there is a direct link to Blanche Holmes because she was denied education. Whenever I appear on television, I have to give thanks, because I know in my heart that it is truly a blessing. One of the shows that my mother and Aunt Blanche used to watch was the Ed Sullivan Show. I haven’t appeared on the CBS Network yet, but when that day comes, I know that my Aunt Blanche will be watching…

When I met Chris Paul, I thought of him and his grandfather, and this story just came to me, so I wrote it down, and here it is.

By Any Means Necessary...

Black thoughts

Admiration

Scoop and AG. in Beaverton, OR

"Simple and plain, give me the lane...I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley..."

Chuck D - Rebel Without a Pause

I grew up off of 60th and Arch Streets in West Philadelphia, and I always wanted to be someone greater than my environment would ever allow. The Wild West as it is known, is a place where dreams do not necessarily come true. The problem is that everything is stacked against you from the dilapidated living conditions, crime, and violence, not too mention the poor school system. It is a problem that has plagued the city for decades. The more things change, the more they stay the same. However, I have been fortunate to have a role model of a mother that provided for my siblings and I, and because of her sacrifices, I am a success today.

SOUL to SOLE

In an African proverb, it is explained that it takes an entire village to raise a child. I believe this as it holds true to my very existence. As a youth, I always had people like my neighbors Mr. Keith, and Mr. Skip to take me to basketball practice and games, not too mention feed me and care for me like one of their own sons. In my professional career, I have Scoop Jackson the master to my apprentice, Ray Butts, and Isaac Perry, all of whom have walked along with me, and sometimes carried me in times of need. There are others such as Coach John Chaney, Coach Dawn Staley, Sonny Hill, Bobbito Garcia, Kris Aman, Dr. Angelia Nelson, Oronde Garrett, Eric Elston, and Ian Callender and his family, as no one person ever makes it in life alone.

I had to make my words in this column short, because to have Scoop as my guest, I wanted to give him space to write in his voice, on MJ, and his mark in American history. Scoop Jackson is a national columnist for ESPN.com and he contributes to ESPN The Magazine. He is best known in the sneaker community for writing a book on Nike Basketball entitled Sole Provider.

In his own words proudly present to you Robert “Scoop” Jackson:

What is it about the Jordan sneaker that has made it what it is today?

"I think it’s been a combination of several things, all coming together at the same time. The analogy I love to use is one about Michael Jackson because of how similar the situations played themselves out. With Jackson you had (beginning with Off the Wall album) the best singer/entertainer working with maybe the greatest producer ever in Quincy Jones who had the combination of greatness in Rod Temperton and Greg Philligines in studio while at the same time you had an outlet that was just beginning to find itself called MTV and a choreographer that was the greatest even in Michael Peters, all working together at the same time. It’s like all of the planets came into alignment at once for this one period of time and look what we got in return: arguably the most successful music run in history. Something that will never happen again.
The same thing I believe happened with Jordan. Here you had the best player in the game, who happened to connect with the greatest (although unknown at that time) designer in the history of the game, Tinker Hatfield. Combine that with the fact that Nike was in a relationship with and ad agency, Weiden + Kennedy, that (just like MTV at the time of Michael Jackson’s era) was trying to find itself and a filmmaker that was one of the greatest ever in Spike Lee (Just like Michael Peters, Spike was relatively unknown at the time) all working together at the same time. It’s the same story all over again. It’s like lightening happening twice. So the reason the Jordan sneaker is what it is today is because it had a foundation that was far greater than any other shoe has ever had. The same way 20 years later we can listen to anything from Off the Wall or THRILLER and say, that was brilliant and still listen to it with the same reverence that we did when it dropped. We are able to do and have those same feelings about the kicks that come from Jordan."

What is your favorite Jordan sneaker and why?

"The III. To me, that’s the Air Force 1 of the Jordan legacy. Why? It’s just everything about the shoe is flawless to me. I mean, historically it’s the first ¾ sneak and it’s the first shoe tinker did for Jordan and it’s the shoe that stopped MJ from going to adidas. But outside of that, I just “feel” that shoe. Unlike any other design, execution, longevity, style, all that, and I ain’t even going to speak on the performance of the shoe. Check MJ’s stats fro the year he wore that shoe. 1988. Check. Then there’s the whole Best on Earth, Best on Mars moment (poster). C’mon. It’s just, to me, I love that sneak. All time and here’s the funny thing: I refuse to own a pair. The II is so god-like to me that there’s a part of me that feels I haven’t earned the right to have a pair yet. That sneak is on some Holy Grail level with me. Maybe n about 10 more years, when I put in 10 more years of serious work, when I reach my Spike Lee stage and do Inside Man and When the Levees Broke in the same year, if I ever reach that kind of greatness, then maybe I’ll get a pair of III’s."

Is there a legit comparison to Kobe and MJ?

"Yeah, easy…like tracing paper. Xerox machine. KINKOS. As much as the replication looks, seems and feels like the original, its not. There’s always some resolution that gets lost in the process. But that’s just in basketball. As much as Jack Bauer (Kobe) and $ (MJ) are alike, they are totally different as people. And that affects the outcome of their games. Kobe is not as personable and charming as Mike. It’s not in his nature, that’s just not who he is. Part of MJ’s greatness was his ability to be cool with everyone, teammates, and victims. Dudes that played with $ would kill for him, he was able to draw that much love from others. Kobe’s never been able to do that and because of that I think he hasn’t been able to reach MJ’s level of brilliance. He has too many people around him that will never love him, which translates to how open the game is to him. It’s like, imagine how differently Barry Sanders career would have been if his offensive line hated him? Or better yet LaDainian Tomlinson? Those holes year after year would not open up. They would not block or fight as hard as they could for them to get those yards, which in the long run effects Barry’s and LT’s greatness."

How was the Jordan sneaker game back in the late 80's/early 90's in Chicago?

"Crazy. Every time a sneak dropped it was bananas! Stores would get broken into, schools would close (seriously), and kids would get jacked on bus stops and at malls. Straight madness, but it was all passion. That’s what drove it. I’ve been around a lot of cities and I’ve never seen the passion for Jordan kicks the way I’ve seen it in the Chi. It’s a different level. The history is different. No disrespect to Nike, but they lost a lot of money, not paying attention to what was really going on in Chicago, as far as footwear was concerned in Chicago during that time. They could have easily doubled their market share. From a financial standpoint, they missed an era. But to this day there’s nothing like it. There’s a special, and I mean very special, almost unconditional love that this city has with Jordan and every sneaker the brand decides to release I wish I could write a book about it, but that wouldn’t do it justice."

I am blessed to have mentors like Scoop, Ray, and Isaac, as they continue to show me the ropes, lifting me higher than I ever thought I could go. Each one, teach one!

For more on Scoop Jackson watch the video below:

I am Tiger Woods

Prodigy

Professionalism

Pride

"Black prodigy since the age of twenty...I can write a rhyme, rip it up and write a next one, right on the spot, sign my name with a dot... "

Sadat X - Punks Jump to Get Beat Down

My father is one of 7 children. His oldest sister Claudia, also known as my Aunt "Cookie" used to always call me Tiger. At first she would only say it when referencing me to others, and then one day while I was outside sweeping and cleaning the front and side of the house she told me that I reminded her of Tiger Woods. She did in fact feel that we looked alike, however it was my ubiquitous hat that did the trick. Coincidentally, my grandmother also thought I looked like him, as she will more often than not say in her country drawl, "Antho-knee, I saw Tagh-er, today, and I think he looks just like you!"

I've always worn caps. Its been a way for me to support my favorite teams, or to add some flair to my wardrobe, and once my family suggested that I reminded them of Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, I became intrigued and later inspired by the black golfer with the unique name.

Nike recently did a commercial that aired on Father's Day 2008, to celebrate the special bond between Tiger and his father Earl Woods. From the time I first saw it, I understood the message, and I use it to push me further in my own career. I even asked my friend Dez at Nike's advertising agency, Weiden+Kennedy, to send me a copy of the campaign. I wanted it on DVD so I could watch it whenever I needed to hear its message, or share it with someone that I thought could appreciate it.

Whenever I have a big assignment, or if I am about to venture on something important, I will either bring that commercial along with me, or I'll take a few minutes to watch it before leaving the house.

Thank you Tiger, for everything.

By Any Means Necessary...

Carmelo Anthony and AG. in DC

Telling it like it is

Boys to men

"Thangs done changed on this side...remember they used to thump, but now they blast right..."

Dr. Dre - Lil' Ghetto Boy

Basketball is a game of passion, that when taken seriously it can have a positive, long lasting result. In the ‘hood it’s widely known as a way to not only deliver yourself, but your family to a new life and tax bracket. However basketball isn’t about the money, it’s about the love, and in the end that’s all that matters.

Captain America

As I talk about the greatest game that has ever happened to me, it’s only fitting that I write this as I watch the ‘06 NBA Draft…and speaking of the draft…in June, 2003 Carmelo Anthony was selected as the 3rd overall pick out of Syracuse. Four months later Sole Collector magazine would debut with issue 1, and the NBA and the magazine industry has not been the same since.

Now that I’ve given a little background, it’s imperative that I fill in the blanks a little and explain my theory. 2003 was a launch pad for Carmelo Anthony as he won the NCAA Championship, an ESPY Award, and he went on to sign with the Jordan Brand and Denver Nuggets. Coincidentally, it also marked the rise of a little known writer to the national scene, named Anthony Gilbert from Temple University.

Other than the fact that we are both named Anthony, and we are former student athletes, I have always found it interesting how much he really loves collecting sneakers. It is always good to see how much a like people are, no matter what race, color, or creed.

I first met Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles during the 2004 NBA All Star Weekend, and we have been good friends since then.

I have had an opportunity to write a few stories on him…and to chronicle a player of his caliber is not only an honor, but as a journalist I would not have even thought this were possible, when I first saw him at Syracuse one Saturday afternoon on CBS versus Georgetown. Since then Anthony has emerged as a team leader and while he hasn’t gotten the recognition in years past, it’s his peers around the league that know his props are way overdue.

‘Melo and I had a chance to sit down and talk for a spell this past summer before the Olympic games, and after we caught up with one another, I interviewed him…here is the final score on our conversation:

How important is it to be active in the community?
“That’s my number 1 goal. Every time I get a chance to give back and serve the community that is what I’m going to do. The community is very important and whenever I can get involved in something positive, I’m going to give it my all and participate.”

What do you like so much about sneakers?
“We have to have…people like myself, you know…I love sneakers, so when I look at you, and magazines and I see all the old, or exclusive sneakers that nobody can get…it keeps me focused to where I want to be, and collecting is what I’m going to keep doing.”

What does the Jordan Brand have in store for the upcoming season?
“Man I can’t tell you...but knowing you, I’m sure you already have an idea [laughs]…”

Most basketball players are really into sneaker collecting and the culture, because from the day we began playing, you always needed something on your feet not only for the obvious reasons but also to show some of your personality and style. When I began playing in 1989, my mother took me to Marshall’s department store and I got my first pair of Nike. They were hi-tops…white and royal blue Sky Force, and even though the team uniforms were green and gold, and my shoes didn’t match them, it was all about my shoes, my game, and the love.

Forever Begins

Freshman year

Nike was the most known - unknown

Flight 23 prepares for takeoff

Jordan takes to the skies

Mars and Money changed the world

“I was staying in Chicago...I had my own apartment, I’d be doing like...just beats for like local acts, just to try to keep the lights on, or be able to go out and buy a...get a Pelle Pelle off lay-a-way, or get some Jordans or something...”

Kanye West – Last Call


This morning after my morning workout at the pool, I began having a conversation about sneakers with two friends. Since we all wear the same size, a question was posed about selling some of my prized possessions...I informed them that I actually had a customer today and that if he doesn’t follow through that I would gladly contact them. From there we shifted gears a little as they inquired about what I have and was willing to part with. The majority of my stock is Nike, Nike SB, Jordan, and Converse, with a few pairs of some other brands like Saucony, and adidas.

When I mentioned adidas, I told them that we would all be in the brand with the three stripes had Michael Jordan followed his heart, instead of his agent David Falk.

As a collegian Jordan wore Converse at the University of North Carolina, and upon his decision to turn pro after his junior year, the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 3rd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. Being that he enjoyed a stellar career at UNC, and the fact that he won Olympic gold at the summer games in Los Angeles, Michael Jordan’s stock was high, and he wanted nothing more than to ride that wave of success to the NBA, and into a contract with his footwear of choice adidas.

With that mandate, Falk took initiative and began calling sneaker companies to pitch his client. At the time, Converse and adidas were the giants in the game, and Nike was the small time new kid on the block. As the relative basketball unknown Nike already had their sights set on MJ, and they made an offer of $250,000, a signature shoe line, as well as a percentage of the revenues (a first and at the time unheard of part of the deal). Michael wasn’t too fond of Nike, a shoe that he was very unfamiliar with, however his agent stayed diligent as he convinced both his client and Nike to change their stance. As history will tell you, MJ gave in to the small-time track sneaker company, and in turn they matched the offer of $500,000 by adidas.

The concept of “Air” Jordan was Falk’s idea, and the powers that be at Nike projected within the first 3 to 4 years, that the signature Jordan line would make approximately $3 million dollars. As legend has it, in 1985 alone, Nike would make $130 million...quite a turn around on a $500,000 investment.

Here are important factors as to why the sneaker did so well and continues to do so today.

• Following in the footsteps of Dr. J, Jordan had an excitement and flair that was unprecedented. He revolutionized the high flying act of such NBA greats like Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, and Dr. J. His ability to fly through NBA skies, and live up to the nickname “Air” gave him credibility that you couldn’t put a price on.
  


• The NBA had never seen a sneaker with dominant 3 colors, as the first Jordan was red, with black and white accents. That being the case, every time MJ laced up his new sneakers, he was fined $500 by the League office, which created a buzz, as EVERYONE wanted the sneaker BANNED by the NBA. Nike officials caught on very quickly, and paid all the fines for Michael, so all he had to do was wear his shoes, and play basketball.
  


• Combine the two facts above and you have a one of a kind basketball player, excelling in a never seen before technologically advanced sneaker year after year, after year.
  The Jordan XXIV is so ahead of its time, and I’ve only seen and tested an early sample, and it is going to shake up the world like Muhammad Ali did in 1964.
  


• Last but not least, in 1987 the impossible happened, as MJ teamed up with Spike Lee launching a historic ad campaign that changed marketing forever. The commercials showed the strength of the dollar in the black and Latino communities, and the shift in the advertising paradigm would by no means be the same again. Prior to this feat, NEVER was an African-American the face of a product in a positive light. The logic was that a black person couldn’t sell products to white consumers, so if you had a high profile athlete, then you would pair them with a white counterpart. Mean Joe Greene did that Coke-a-Cola commercial with the little white kid, “Have a Coke and a smile”. Muhammad Ali, sold roach spray, and Magic Johnson was teamed with Larry Bird. Nike’s advertising firm Weiden+Kennedy took a gamble, as they capitalized on authentic mass appeal of Mars and Money. This was made possible with equal parts timing, trust, and two guys from Brooklyn.

Imagine how differently your life would be had Michael Jordan signed with adidas?

Photos: Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated - University of North Carolina

Rebel Without a Pause

West Philadelphia style - AG. and Ahmir

Nike Air Force 1 - ?uesto golden ticket edition

"I got so much trouble on my mind...refuse to lose. Here's your ticket...hear the drummer get wicked!"

Chuck D - Welcome to the Terrordome

I was born, not raised in West Philadelphia. I have always claimed West Philly even though I didn't grow up there. When The Fresh Prince of Bel Air debuted on NBC in 1990, the main thing that mesmerized me was the song in the opening credits, as Will Smith would proclaim his West Philadelphia roots. Aside from the theme music, Will and Jazz provided me with hope, and the aspiration to make it in the entertainment industry. I didn't want to rap, DJ or anything like that, the only thing that mattered was becoming an actor, or an analyst for ABC's Wide World of Sports.

My mother attended West Philadelphia High School and I wanted to go there as well. My father and his siblings were and are still very well known there, so when we moved, I didn't realize that we had left the neighborhood...having settled in the somewhat friendlier surroundings of East Oak Lane. We were still in the city, but it was a stark contrast to the Wild West.

To make this anecdote a little more interesting I also call Brooklyn, NY home, however that is another story. All in all, its a matter of pride, and in my professional career, I look forward to taking my place among the great people of my hometown...from Wilt Chamberlain, Patti LaBelle, Kobe Bryant, and Tammy Montgomery, to Guion S. Bluford Jr., as well as Ahmir Thompson.

Yesterday I began things as I normally would...brushing my teeth, checking facebook, and watching ESPN. Somewhere within the 9 o'clock hour, I received two phones from friends saying that I was quoted in the newspaper about the new ?uestlove Nike Air Force 1. By midday the text messages started to pour in asking if I could secure a few pairs of the shoe. A little while later, I decided to make a trip to UBIQ, where the sneaker would release, not only to see what the fuss was about, but to more importantly support ?uestlove, and interview him.

I arrived around 5:30pm and I made my way through the traffic of people to the DJ table. I leaned over and asked ?uesto if I could get a few minutes in between sets, and he agreed. During my wait, I enjoyed the scene, and caught up with friends. As the night began to cover the sky, like red wine seeps into the soul..I noticed Marsha Ambrosius, and that's when my gears starting turning. Not only could I get my one interview, but I could also speak extemporaneously with Marsha. It's moments like these that remind me why I choose a path in journalism and mass media.

Here is the score on my conversation with ?uestlove:

Talk about Hip-Hop as your first love:

"I love all music, however things changed when Public Enemy dropped It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back. I walked from 52nd and Osage [avenue] to 52nd and Market, to the local Mom and Pop record store. I got the cassette at 9:30 AM, and I walked 25 blocks to work. I was utterly obsessed with all the tracks, but it was Show’em what you got that really did it for me. And then I went on the biggest decision of my life…I went on my lunch break and I never came back.”

This question is from DJ Dai*Light in Japan...with CD mixers and computer programs replacing turntables, as well as Internet radio, mixtape sites, and personal music pages helping artists break their own music, what standards do new DJ's set?

"It [new technology] helps me. No one ever asks the question of my authenticity because the whole world knows that I have a large record collection, and whenever I go on tour...I take my records with me, and one of them always manages to break. So for me, its like I always dreamed of carrying 20,000 records in my pocket, you know what I'm sayin'? So pretty much for me, I see it as a new evolution. Some people are afraid of change, some people view the serato and are more terrified of it, than they are of a black man running the country."

Talk about the art of collecting records and sneakers:

"Pretty much, I'm on another level with record collecting. I have brokers. I don't do the normal...now I dig...I usually go to the Salvation Army, but my time is limited, so I just cut to the chase. I have brokers, and they call and say 'a widow wants to sell her husband's jazz collection, or 'a mother needs to raise money for her son in jail, so I have the brokers that handle all that for me. But yeah, anything goes, I'll collect anything. I like going to new countries and seeing things that they have to offer. This is the information age, and people can reach you on myspace and they'll say, 'yo when you come to Brazil, I'm going to take you diggin'. So I'm on a different level with my diggin' game. With sneakers...I'm pretty much in with Nike so all I have to do is call the company, and say 'I'll take 8 of those. But I still buy sneakers, even when I have 'em coming to me, I still get extra pair to keep on ice. I purchased 10 pair of my own sneakers, and I would have actually bought every pair."

Watch the video below for more on ?uestlove: