On Wednesday, Lower East Scribe and I had the privilege of supporting support my mans Kool Bob Love at his Pro Keds Royal Flash sneaker release party. The party was off the chain with Kool Bob on the ones and twos. Very unique music I must say, way before my time, in fact, way before I was thought of. Check out the cool clip with interviews from Kool Bob, Dante Ross, DJ Clark Kent, me and more.
Although it may seem like a culture shock to the youth, player-endorsed shoes have been around for almost 90 years. On a daily basis you’re bound to see Chuck Taylor’s, but what about KEDS or Randy’s? Coulter’s Basketball has a wonderful article about the history of player-endorsed shoes that is worth to take a look at.
Today I found a pair of shoes I missed dearly. I was about 14 when I got them; they were the first shoes I bought with my first paycheck. They were the Jordan X. Jordan Brand retroed them in 2005 as a recreation of the original Jordan X. I remember actually having the originals when I was in Kindergarten. They are my favorite Jordan of all time, so it was big for me to actually buy my own basketball shoes to ball in. I played in them so much that the stats on the bottom of the shoe disappeared. A friend of mine heard me talk about my Jordan X’s, and showed me a pair of his favorite basketball shoes. He had some Nike Force ¾ highs from 1991. He wore them so much that now the leather is cracking. Age did not help, making the midsole dry and brittle. He got them as a present from one of the hustlers around the way because he could not afford Nikes at the time. To him, he felt like the man lacing them up on the court. The shoe meant more since it was a nice gesture from someone close to him.
I talk about this because I feel every baller who reads Bounce has a story just like me. Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes.
Kool Bob’s collaborative “El Barrio” catalog has me anticipating PRO-Keds’ Fall line like an expectant addict, but these Parra Royal Hi and Lo joints might be just enough to hold me over until the leaves start droppin’. A gum bottom with chocolate brown accents compliment an unblemished white leather upper. Immaculate design personified…
The Parra x PRO KEds Royal Hi and Lo will be available on July 25 at Parra.