Brandon Jennings does things his way, and he doesn’t care about the trendy things that most people flock to. You’ve seen the unique, throwback haircuts he rocks on a consistent basis, and if you’re not familiar with his journey to the NBA, just know that it was unconventional to say the least. How about signing to Under Armour as a basketball athlete? The Compton native is the proud face of the Under Armour basketball division in addition to being the heart and soul of the Milwaukee Bucks. We recently caught up with Brandon Jennings to discuss details of his two signature shoes, his undeniable love for Compton and his commitment to Under Armour. He also touched on his summer internship with Under Armour and reminisced on his memorable “Double Nickel” game. Check out our A Knight in Shining Armour: 1 on 1 with Brandon Jennings interview with Brandon Jennings below.

Brandon Jennings

Nice Kicks: How involved are you in the design process of your signature Under Armour shoes?

Brandon Jennings: I’m very involved in the design process of my shoes. I’m fortunate to work with a company like Under Armour that trusts my vision, my sense of style and gives me that creative control. I try to come up with something different and something fresh that I know I would like to wear. Also, I want it to be something that the kids will love too.

Nice Kicks: Low top sneakers are very common in today’s basketball game. Did the influx of low-cut basketball shoes motivate you to also try a lower cut model?

Brandon Jennings: Low-top sneakers are the new generation of basketball shoes. It’s not something I’ve always thought about wanting to play in, but it’s just a trendy thing, and I like the way they feel. Everyone is rocking low cuts these days.

Under Armour Micro G Bloodline "Compton"

Nice Kicks: What are some of the most noticeable differences in playing in your first signature Under Armour Black Ice shoe and this season’s Micro G Bloodline?

Brandon Jennings: Bloodlines are really more of an ankle-cut shoe, and the Black Ice was cut a little different to look like the Gumby. From a performance standpoint, we really took our time with the design and function of both shoes and wanted to make sure we did things right. They’re both great shoes that have totally different looks.

 

Nice Kicks: Under Armour re-released the “Double Nickel” Black Ice in November of 2011 to commemorate your career high 55-point game. What is your most vivid memory of that game?

Brandon Jennings: My most vivid memory of my 55-point game was not one specific play but rather the fact that I did not score in the first quarter and scored 29 points in the third quarter alone.

Nice Kicks: Besides the Bloodline, name another current Under Armour performance basketball shoe you enjoy playing in?

Brandon Jennings: I used to enjoy playing in the Micro G Jukes but now, other than the Bloodline, I like to wear the Black Ice, my first signature shoe. I switch it up a lot, but I like to play in a new pair of shoes every game. I like to make sure the color goes with what jerseys we are wearing that night.

Brandon Jennings sporting the Under Armour Prototype 2 "Double Nickel"

Photo credit to John Walder

Read the rest of A Knight in Shining Armour: 1 on 1 with Brandon Jennings

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Recently, we unveiled a “Rogue Green” Zoom KD IV. Today, a white leather upper, yellow outsole, and blue accents create a more traditional color scheme on the latest version of the Nike Zoom KD IV. Will you be adding these to you KD collection? Available now at select Nike retailers.

Nike Zoom KD IV
White/Tour Yellow/Photo Blue
473679-102
$95

Source: Inside The Sneaker Box

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© Ian Stonebrook for NiceKicks.com, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |
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Rudy Gay is no stranger to retros. The UCONN alum has made headlines for his shoe giveaways and sneaker sightings. Last night, he made good on the recent Tempo trend by rocking the Yellow/Blue makeup of the Nike Air Max Tempo. He wasn’t the only one that went loud with his footwear pick. The returns of Kobe Bryant and Amar’e Stoudemire saw “Poison Dart Frog” and “Galaxy” makeups, while other favorites kept it quiet in the “Stealths”. See who brought out the best heat to the hardwood in this edition of Kicks On Court.

Rudy Gay in the Nike Air Max Tempo Yellow/Blue

Rudy Gay in the Nike Air Max Tempo Yellow/Blue

Rudy Gay in the Nike Air Max Tempo Yellow/Blue

Kawhi Leonard in the Air Jordan 12 Low Black/Red & Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe VII "Poison Dart Frog" Purple/Yellow

Gary Neal in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI & Jordan Hill in the Air Jordan 10 "Stealth"

Marquis Daniels in the Under Armour Micro G Supersonic & Jeff Teague in his Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 PE

Read the rest of Kicks On Court: Rudy Gay Turns Up the Tempo

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Yesterday, we paid tribute to the day Michael Jordan made everybody in the Boston Garden pay attention during the ’86 playoffs by racking up 63 points, five rebounds, and six assists against the Celtics – in a fresh pair of Jordan Is. Today, Nice Kicks takes a brief look at NBA life before the Jordan dynasty by celebrating the Converse Weapon. Worn by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in several career-defining games, Converse designed a shoe still worthy of conversation 30 years later; thespians are now re-interpreting those moments on Broadway’s “Magic/Bird” performance. Check out this feature, and tell us your thoughts.

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird battling down low in Converse Weapons

On April 11, 2012, Broadway presented “Magic/Bird” at New York’s Longacre Theatre, taking audience members back to key moments in history of the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird era.  The play features key moments of their lives, such as the their fight for the ’79 NCAA title, their no-holds-barred approach to winning coveted NBA rings, as well as their complex, off-court relationship. Whether or not the cast and director of “Magic/Bird” successfully captured all that Bird and Johnson represented – athletically, regionally, and racially – is left for the viewers and play critics to decide.

Converse Weapons for Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

But for audience members who weren’t even born during this era, context is so necessary.  The 1980s was arguably the most eclectic decade of the 20^th century:  Reagan and Bush served as Presidents, Pacman made its way into arcades worldwide, moviegoers adored E.T., as Michael Jackson’s Thriller soared to the top of the charts. And while some consumers rushed to buy Cabbage Patch Kids and IMB personal computers, many victims died from crack addiction and the newly-named AIDS epidemic.

Read the rest of Magic/Bird: Celebrating the Converse Weapon

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Kicks On Court this past week was dominated by the point guards of the NBA. From John Wall debuting a new Reebok Zig Encore in Madison Square Garden to Pistons guard Will Bynum channeling his inner Sir Charles in the “Action Red” Air Max Barkleys, this week was all about the guard. Watch our latest Kicks On Court Weekly Recap as associate editor, George Kiel III breaks down these top stories and catch up with NBA superstar Chris Paul to talk Jordan CP3.V colorways. Also, let us know which one was your favorite story in the voting poll below.

Take Our Poll

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The Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” might be the pick of the week, but for many, there are still plenty of kicks to look forward to the rest of the year. From “Olympic” inspired Air Max 90s to the ferocious Nike Zoom Kobe VII “Cheetah Print,“ the diverse choices of the Nice Kicks staff are all deserving of some love. Check out our favorite shoes from the past seven days and let us know what you think.

George Kiel III

The all-grey look is a winner on almost any silhouette for me. I have really been impressed with the colorways Nike has released of this shoe, and this is my favorite one so far.

Nike Air Max Barkley “Stealth Grey”

Read the rest of Nice Kicks Staff Picks

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