A DAY IN THE LIFE, Vol. "GIFT PLEASANT"

Let me formally thank our Nike Philippines fam for this early pair of The Nike KD V Elite.

Design-wise, this shoe is everything Nike promised... And more! You need to see these in person - it's the perfect summer and summer league shoe!



Can't wait to test them on court. I'm sure it will be damn near perfect.
Thank you Nike Philippines fam! Thank you Ogilvy!



The Nike KD V Elite will be available on May 18 at Titan and select Nike doors, and will retail for Php 8,495.00.


#SWOOSHLOVE

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NIKE BASKETBALL ELITE SERIES 2.0 | A VISUAL BREAKDOWN

The Nike Basketball Elite Series is the very pinnacle of basketball footwear performance and design. Returning in this year's Nike Elite line-up are LeBron with his LeBron X PS Elite and Kobe with his Zoom Kobe 8 Elite. Joining the squad is KD with his improved KD V Elite - lower, faster, and more versatile than ever.

Today, I would like to quickly share with you, visually, what this new series is all about - from designer insights, to production briefing, to the break down of each shoe's tech upgrade.

So without further delay, here it is... The Nike Basketball Elite Series 2.0.

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INTRODUCING: THE NIKE KD V

From the mind of Leo Chang comes Kevin Durant's fifth signature shoe - The KD V. It is Kevin Durant's heart and soul manifested in a shoe; it's design is the most honest and pure yet.

The Nike KD line, in my opinion, has become the most genuine and conceptually rich among the footwear franchises today. The V just proves my point.

The depth of the concept is remarkable. Still present are the minute details that tell KD's history, a tapestry of symbols that represent his deep and unwavering love for his family and hometown. But completely unique to this model is the incorporation of the numeric symbol "V" and the pentagon. Symbolizing his fifth shoe, the "V" is also a representation of the "team" - five men on the court aiming for victory. On the other hand, the Pentagon is a literal symbolism of The Pentagon, the military landmark in his hometown Washington, D.C.

The KD V is a truly inspired piece of art. Yes, I said ART. It looks like art, and I'm sure it performs like one, too. This partnership of Leo Chang and KD will go down in Nike Basketball's 20 year history as one of the most exciting and inspiring footwear lineages to ever grace the hardwood.

I just had to do this - The KD V on my feet. Are you inspired yet? The detail on the tongue is crazy...

Thank you FIVE TIMES FIVE TIMES, Nike Philippines.

SIXTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING

Okay. I just need to get this off my chest real quick.

I was doing work for a couple of industry friends when my internet went down. I was on playoff silence up until lunchtime. I immediately went online to check what I missed, then I saw this tweet:

Has the world corrected itself? Has justice finally been served, and past transgressions rectified?

The Oklahoma City Thunder is en route to basketball's biggest and grandest stage, fully capable of taking it all. Am I excited? Not really. As far as I'm concerned, basketball season ended when The Lakers went home. #Salty

But you know, there is something innately romantic about this storyline.

Without thinking or analyzing too much, there is no situation wherein the Thunder couldn't take it all. They got Westbrook's speed and athleticism (you can make the arguement that he's too much of a ballhog. I will not fight you on that), they got inside presence thanks to Ibaka, they got instant firepower courtesy of Harden, Collison is solid, Thabo can defend, Perk can at least be a distraction inside. They have Fish's experience... And they have KD - the MVP (Durant got robbed. There is no way he wasn't the best player this season. Sue me.) They have a good coach. They can score anywhere. They can run. They are fast. They are young... And they are deep. Deeper than Miami, and certainly deeper than Boston.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not just capable of becoming champions; Above all things, they deserve to be one.

Fish deserves it. Durant sure as hell deserves it.

That's because less than a year ago, these gentlemen worked hard to keep the game alive. Fish negotiated tirelessly to salvage whatever's left of the 2012 season, while KD "NEVER STOPPED" doing work to keep basketball relevant. His adventures are well documentated on YouTube.

I really do believe that these people deserve to win the 'chip. Because, as corny as it sounds, without them we wouldn't even be having this discussion. We wouldn't be able to see regular season games, let alone the playoffs. There would be no heckling and laughing; no hearts broken, nor wagers won.

They deserve the league's highest recognition because it was Fisher and Durant that kept the league - and the game we love the most, exciting during one of basketball's darkest moments.

I'm not saying we should all cheer for The Thunder because of them. That's bandwagoning! Plus that would just be plain stupid. But you have to respect the team: where they came from and where they are now, their hunger, and their resiliency.

Just like from seasons of old, we find the basketball dieties smiling on one team... And this year, they seem to believe OKC got it.

I couldn't agree more.

Truth be told, I'm still not over The Laker's exit in the hands of Durant and his farm boys. It may be hard to swallow but in situations like this, I always root for the team that eliminated LAL; at least I can say we lost to the champs.

I call OKC to win it. Not just because they can. But because they should. They've earned it.

TITAN EASTER DROPS

Our favorite hoops joint TITAN is blessing their faithful club members with two of the season's most coveted kicks.

First off is the leading MVP candidate Kevin Durant's Easter inspired kicks, the Nike Zoom KD IV - Mints. Nice right?

Full size run. Exclusive to TITAN PLAYERS CLUB MEMBERS only.
Php 4,995.00.

And my pick and sure-cop pair, the league's current leading scorer Kobe Bryant's Nike Zoom Kobe VII "Poison Dart Frog" - Mint. Still on that predator tip, with an Easter treatment.

These in my opinion come in at close second behind the Invisibility Cloaks for best VII colorway.

Full size run, also in GS sizes. Exclusive to TITAN PLAYERS CLUB MEMBERS only (GS pairs are available to all).
Php 7,450.00.

Happy Easter everyone!

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU /// NIKE ZOOM KD IV

I'm sure you've heard... The almost-lost NBA Season is set to return this Christmas! Though we all look forward to seeing Kobe's fadaway and LeBron's fading hairline, let's take this moment to bask in the glory of the Lockout MVP: Kevin Durant.

The man that's been on a tear since his Tour of China and his showstopping stint in Smart's Ultimate All-Star Weekend has been seen rocking his trusty Nike Zoom KD IIIs day in and day out in a series of colorways... All of that is about to change.

Starting this December, a new KD will usher in the new NBA season... It's latest incarnation: 

The Nike Zoom KD IV.

It features the new Adaptive Fit system, Hyperfuse construction and a Zoom Air unit – a versatile combination for one of basketball’s most electric players.

The Nike Zoom KD IV was built to the exact specifications of Durant, who is closely involved in the design process with Nike Basketball Footwear Design Director Leo Chang.  Chang has led the design for all four of Durant’s Nike signature shoes since 2008. Incorporated for the first time in a basketball shoe, the new Adaptive Fit system provides a lock-down fit with a synthetic strap that wraps up from the inside of the upper and integrates with the laces for superior fit and lateral support.

The Hyperfuse construction on the upper is a composite of three different layers of material that are fused together using a pressing process to create a nearly seamless, one-piece upper that is lightweight, breathable and durable. Furthermore, the Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot provides lightweight, low-profile and responsive cushioning. Lastly, a low collar design provides optimal support and flexibility through the ankle and makes this a versatile shoe for multiple positions on the court.

As Kevin evolves as a basketball player so do his shoes.

“First and foremost my shoe needs to be comfortable - it felt like I had been playing with them the whole season. The Adaptive Fit system is a customized feel and locks me in,” said Durant. 

 

Designed with direct insights from Kevin Durant and his lineage, the Nike Zoom KD IV pays tribute to his team and family with details incorporated into the outsole including a lightning bolt traction pattern representing KD’s team and “Big Chucky” on the heel which pays tribute to KD’s late childhood mentor and coach. The initials “WP” in the shape of a heart on each toe represent Kevin’s parents and “Barbara” is his grandmother’s name. Personal messages as “Work Hard” and “Stay Focused” are printed also on the outsole.

Get your head out of that lockout funk! Celebrate by copping yourself The Scoring Champ's new weapon of choice!

The Nike Zoom KD IV launches on December 1, 2011 in select Nike stores nationwide and will retail at Php4,795.00.

LR:LS "LOCKOUT LEGEND" AWARDEE /// KEVIN DURANT

There has been no other player in history of the game that was as busy during the off-season (Shaq doing movies included) - particularly during this lockout summer, as Kevin Durant.

There were probably a handful that went in, few and far in between - but The Durantula made his presence, and his game, felt all over the basketball world.

From historical Araneta Coliseum, to the legendary Rucker Park... From the land of the Great Wall, to the halls of his Longhorn home, Kevin Durant went hard for the game; being selfless, with no regard to his own well-being or condition, oblivious to the fact that an injury might compromise his season or God-forbid - his career.

With his backpack snuggly slung on his back, he represents the kid in all of us. Playing the role of the backpack baller who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain... The one that hasn't made it yet... Hungry for a quick pick-up to prove to others (and most likely to himself as well) that he has paid his dues, and there is very, VERY little you can do to stop him.




Nobody embodied the famous Jordan clause "For The Love of the Game" more than this dude. Not contented with just playing it, he also made a point of sharing it. He schooled young kids, he shot a movie, played in ads, and participated in Nike's powerful "Basketball Never Stops" campaign.




Locker Room Legends proudly present the "LOCKOUT LEGEND" LOCKOUT SEASON MVP AWARD to
KEVIN DURANT (@KDTrey5) for the amazing summer of hoops and for telling us that the lockout is only as bad as you let it be.

TOP-TIER SCORER

 

There's something inherently bad-ass about being called a "TOP-TIER PLAYER". 'F yeah!

The Durantula should know... He got the title!

NIKE ZOOM KD III "Scoring Title". Thank you again, Titan!

THIS IS SOME WWE SH... /// KD AT THE RUCKER

This can't be real... 66 points? AT RUCKER PARK??? C'mon son. SCRIPTED!
LOL I'm playing! Don't get it twisted, Kevin Durant sure has the firepower to do that and more. Check the viral!





But waaaay before KD, a young superstar by the name of Kobe Bryant also tore it up the legendary playground... In his uptowns. I see what you did there, KB!