Unfortunately, the NBA is stopped for the time being, but that has not deterred Nike from putting out some incredible clips dedicated to the sport. In this video, LeBron is seen training at full speed while the city shuts down. Basketball may be down, but its not out. Can’t wait to see play kick off again. What will you guys be doing while NBA action is out?
In the above video we introduce “Spotlight” from Nike’s “Basketball Never Stops” campaign. “Spotlight” features LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Amar’e Stoudemire, Sue Bird, Coach K & the Blue Devil mascot, Questlove and J. Cole with a cameo from Ricardo Reyes (Jimmy Kimmel pop-a-shot legend).
The campaign celebrates the true love of the game and desire to play it no matter the time or the place.
As part owner of the Nets basketball team, the illustrious Jay-Z announced Monday that the Nets will take the name of their new home, Brooklyn, when they leave New Jersey in 2012, officially becoming the Brooklyn Nets. The rap mogul also announced that he’ll personally open the Barclays Center with a special concert series when the 18,000-seat arena opens next September, as well as playing a role in the design of the team’s new logo and uniform alongside adidas.
“Team Nike served as the inspiration for Vado’s summer anthem “Always On,” and this video shows members of the squad practicing what the lyrics preach. We see how Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon and Quinton “T2″ Hosley hold it down in the streets of New York City: they ride the subway, spend time with their families and, of course, get shots up in practice. “You gotta be dedicated everyday,” says T2, a Harlem native, describing his focused mentality. “Always be ready to perform.” At the end, we see the pair joining their teammates under the lights at Dyckman Park, the Uptown hoops mecca where Team Nike has been crushing opponents all summer.”
Produced by Mike Mulah for The Hip Hop Frat House & Co-Produced By Michael Providence For Mandalae Music
“Streetballers from all over the globe hit Paris to compete in Quai 54, the International Streetball Championship. Basketball, culture, hip-hop and fashion were all on full display. See what went down.”
When you get the opportunity to head to Miami, it is difficult to shy away from the city’s beautiful weather. It is even more difficult to shy away from an invite to Miami when you have the opportunity to wear test the latest Nike Lebron just days before the man himself wears it in the Heat’s first home playoff game against the Sixers. Nike offered a handful of media that opportunity this past weekend with the launch of the Nike Lebron 8 PS basketball shoe.
Read and see more looks from the Nike Lebron 8 PS Wear Test and Launch from Miami, FL after the click.
Basketball brand K1X has worked on some brow raising projects lately. The 4-E basketball design project (feat. Marok, Frank151/Stay High 149, Bill McMullen & Mode2), the footwear design co-op with german fashion designer Patrick Mohr, or the cinematic tribute to NYC basketball featuring Pete Rock and Red Cafe for example.
Kicking off the K1Xclusive Spring 2011 line is an apparel pack called „Le Dünk“, which proclaims dunking as a form of art. This virgin K1Xclusive line consists of one crewneck, five tees and two caps, and was created in honor of the most memorable slam dunks in basketball history. The small prints on the back of the crewnecks and t-shirts tie back to the specific date the dunk was performed.
All K1Xclusive products feature understated logo branding. The “Le Dünk” Pack will drop February 28th at selected retailers like Colette (Paris), Bottega Back Door (Bologna), Pool (Munich), Overkill (Berlin), FourTwoFour on Fairfax (L.A.) and on KICKZ.COM.
Jordan Brand presents Dwayne Wade in Dominate Another Day. The main role is taken by Agent D3 returning to Miami. The story will unfold over the next couple of weeks and we will of course keep you posted!
Three brands, three themes, colliding in a massive celebration of the game that’s fueled them all – basketball.
Last week in New York, Nike announced the “World Basketball Festival” (“WBF”), a three day blowout set for August 12-15 in New York City. Three pivotal locations are tapped for events – Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and Rucker Park.
Most obvious is Madison Square Garden. “The World’s Most Famous Arena” plays host to two international friendlies ahead of the FIBA 2010 World Championships (taking place in Turkey from late August). The FIBA tournament provides the hook for the festival, as global interest in the game fuels competition and ignites passion. Games between the United States and France, and China and Puerto Rico, cap off the event.
Nike, Inc.’s partnership with USA Basketball comes clear in the games. Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, recognizes the increased importance of the World Championships, and the necessity of showcasing American attention to the global game.
K1X has worked with Kevin Couliau to produce an outstanding basketball documentary, dedicated to the new city of New York.
“The idea for a visual love letter to NY basketball was born when Red Cafe’s unreleased track “Heart & Soul” established itself as an instant office-favorite at K1X headquarters in Munich (Germany) last spring. Niels Jager (K1X Go-To Guy): “The tune was on replay 24/7. And one day it hit us: let’s build a statue for NYC streetball!” Red Cafe’s ode to the city that never sleeps is a Pete Rock production that boasts all the makings of a hip hop classic. K1X, who has been active in the outfitting of several high profile NYC streetball tournaments for several years, was all the more surprised to find out that this beast of a tune was not yet a prime focus of Red Cafe’s record label. Shake Down quickly agreed to let K1X shoot a poetic clip for the song, whose lyrics are a glowing personification of K1X’s appreciation for street basketball: The Heart & Soul of New York City.
French streetball documentarist Kevin Couliau (Asphalt Chronicles), who spent the summer of 2009 in the five boroughs hunting down supreme blacktop action, was a natural choice to capture the raw essence of NYC and its rich streetball culture. As was the Canon 5D Mark II as Couliau’s weapon of choice. Art director / director / producer Thibaut de Longeville (director of the acclaimed “Just For Kicks” sneaker culture documentary) and motion graphic designer Vincent Dumond of 360 Creative in Paris added their visual expertise to the project and took care of elegant motion graphics and bona fide post production.
The clip features action from K1X affiliated tournaments in Harlem (”Together We Chill” and “Kingdome Classic”) and the Lower East Side (”Lower Manhattan Classic”) as well as a variety of other city courts and an impressive array of cameos by iconic players, opinion leading heads and a bunch of regular dudes. Bobbito Garcia, who got an early preview of the clip last winter had this to say: “It’s so beautiful, man. It’s snowing tonight but it made me look forward to the coming summer months again.”"
