The Conductor: Kobe's Final Performance

20-year pro basketball career of Kobe Bryant was concluded last night in Los Angeles, Bryant playfully orchestrates a symphony of cheers and jeers in Nike’s new film, “The Conductor,” which illustrates the athlete’s polarizing effect among players, coaches and fans, whom many have loved and others have loved to hate.
Cameos in the new film, directed by Mark Romanek and developed in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy Portland, include Hall-of-Fame coach Phil Jackson, 10-time All-Star and Los Angeles native Paul Pierce, former world champion Rasheed Wallace, a flustered Benny the Bull and passionate fans representing nine basketball teams.
“The Conductor” continues the love-hate theme surrounding Bryant,established by Nike Basketball last Thursday and leading into Mamba Day today. This tribute illustrates how hate has manifested into respect and admiration for Bryant. It began with Nike athletes across multiple sports wearing black and gold shoes as a symbolic tribute to Bryant’s golden career fading to black.

The Conductor completes his final symphony.
Available for a limited time beginning at tipoff of the Black Mamba’s final game tonight, the KOBE 11 Mamba Day iD celebrates Bryant’s career by the numbers. Fans can also give their final word to Bryant through the Mamba Day Generator, which overlays the user’s selected farewell phrase on a photo that can then be shared on social media.

Lastly, the full KOBE 11 Black Mamba Pack is available on eBay, with each of the 13 shoes autographed by Bryant. Auction proceeds benefit The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

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Love or Hate, Tell Kobe How You Feel

Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant has amassed top accolades and extraordinary stats. He has also attracted countless fans — and critics. As the years mounted, so did the messages of love and hate from opponents, teammates, cross-sport athletes, fans, coaches and more.

Now, as we approach Bryant’s final game, fellow Nike athletes pay tribute to the Black Mamba in a final video fueled by these conflicting passions.

Bryant calls on everyone to give their final word through the Mamba Day Generator, which overlays the user’s selected farewell word on a photo that can then be shared on social media.

Available for a limited time beginning at tipoff of his final game on April 13, the KOBE 11 Mamba Day iD celebrates Bryant’s career by the numbers. It's also open for personal interpretation, allowing athletes and fans to stamp their departing word for Bryant on the inner tongue.

The final NIKEiD shoe of Bryant’s professional career will feature a graphic highlighting eight notable stats that have fueled the love and hate, including: the dates of his first and last games (11.01.96 and 4.13.16), five World Championships, four All-Star MVP awards, 18 All-Star appearances, 81 points scored in a game, 20 years played in the league and 24 for his jersey number.

 

The black and gold Nike product seen on athletes worldwide leads into the Mamba Day celebration on April 13, when Los Angeles hosts Utah in Bryant’s final professional game.  

The 34 Nike athletes featured in the video include: Kyrie Irving, Russell Wilson, Allyson Felix, Elena Delle Donne, Odell Beckham Jr., Paul George, Rafael Nadal, Paul Rodriguez, Natalie Achonwa, Kirani James, Michelle Wie, Richard Sherman, LeBron James, Neymar Jr., Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Phil Jackson, Sanya Richards-Ross, Tiger Woods, Clay Matthews, NaVorro Bowman, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Durant, Rob Gronkowski, Ali Krieger, Rory McIlroy, Gerard Pique, Eric Koston, Shao Ting, Mascherano, Yi Jianlian, Andres Iniesta, Marcus Mariota and Mo Farah.

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Kobe Countdown Fuels Love and Hate

Love him or hate him, the Black Mamba’s prolific and successful career has fueled both joy and anger. In a nod to this duality, as the clock winds down on Kobe Bryant’s career, NIKE, Inc. is celebrating one of its most accomplished athletes with a befitting global tribute. Beginning today, Nike-sponsored athletes worldwide will celebrate the player many love to hate by wearing black and gold shoes, a metaphoric nod to Bryant’s golden career fading to black on April 13.

From the golf course in Augusta to football pitches in Europe and numerous fields of play in between, accomplished athletes including Rory McIlroy, Mike Trout and Carli Lloyd will honor one of the world’s most polarizing champions. Bryant is a hero to fans and a villain to others, but nobody can question his fierce competitiveness, which has led to five world championships, 18 All-Star appearances and two gold medals.

The black and gold Nike product seen worldwide over the next week appropriately leads into the Mamba Day celebration on April 13, when Los Angeles hosts Utah in Bryant’s final professional game.

Athletes featured in the video include: Sanya Richards-Ross, Russell Wilson, Kyrie Irving, Natalie Achonwa, Odell Beckham Jr., Paul George, Eric Koston and Kevin Durant.

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Basketball Uniforms Beyond a Jersey and Short

Kevin Durant wearing Nike Vapor basketball uniform with AeroSwift technology

Pioneering Nike Vapor basketball uniforms impose a new order on the court by pairing progressive knit jerseys and shorts featuring Nike AeroSwift technology with innovative base layers to minimize game-time distractions and maximize performance.

The system is anchored by basketball-specific base layer options, including arm sleeves, padded compression gear and knee sleeves, which together wick sweat from the skin, providing a feeling of protection and compression, and keeping the players’ arms and legs warm off-court.

Designed to interact with the base layer but not cling, the lightweight, tailored jersey features stretch knit with engineered mesh as determined by extensive sweat-mapping studies.

The short also introduces a FlyVent waistband that addresses the discomfort of traditional basketball waistbands via a new manufacturing process that combines two types of knit mesh into one highly secure, breathable band. This is matched to a hybrid of engineered knit mesh in the back and a hydrophobic four-way stretch woven fabric in the front. Additionally, the front of the shorts features a mobility vent. Placed specifically where basketball players need it most, based on their five key movements, it reveals a flash of tights as athletes move. The result is a 35% more breathable kit than that worn in 2012.

Moving down the body, designers further reduced distraction with the Nike Elite Versatility basketball sock. A 360-degree ankle-support system, dynamic arch compression, anatomical design and footpad cushioning add to the comfort and locked-in feel of the sock, while Dri-FIT fabric wicks away moisture and increases breathability.

Sustainable Innovation

Nike Vapor uniforms with AeroSwift technology have been partially constructed from recycled polyester, which is rendered from plastic bottles to produce fine yarn. Since 2010, more than three billion plastic bottles have been diverted from landfills and converted into recycled polyester for Nike performance products.


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Nike Hyperdunk 2016 Exemplifies Performance Innovation

Eight years after its 2008 debut in Beijing, the Nike Hyperdunk unveils a striking technical and stylistic evolution ahead of summer competition in Rio. Combining an ultra-high Nike Flyknit upper with an enhanced, precisely positioned full-length Zoom Air unit, the Nike Hyperdunk 2016 serves the speed, lateral cutting, elevation and impact of the modern game.
The shoe’s high-cut Flyknit upper was specially crafted to provide an enhanced locked-in feel. Along with extending the collar, Nike designer Leo Chang paired targeted zones — for lockdown support, dynamic stretch and breathability, respectively — with Nike Flywire cables. Integrated into the forefoot, they provide supplemental support where it’s needed for pivots, cuts and jumps.

Working in tandem with the upper to provide natural, intuitive movement that is lightweight, supportive and comfortable, the shoe’s new Zoom Air unit runs the length of the foot. By positioning the Zoom Air unit directly under foot, a hollow core between the unit and the outsole is created, resulting in an unmatched snap-back, trampoline effect. The shoe also features advanced herringbone traction and a supportive heel counter.

The Nike Hyperdunk 2016 is available globally beginning in July in an elite Flyknit version (outlined above) as well as high- and low-top versions with engineered mesh uppers.
To become a Nike+ member and sign up for notifications about the Nike Hyperdunk 2016 go to Nike.com.


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Nike Air Zoom KD9 Reflects Basketball's Progression

Just as its namesake personifies a progressive style of play, the Nike Air Zoom KD9 represents the evolution of basketball footwear. In response to Kevin Durant’s trademark versatility and impressive court coverage (approximately four miles a game and 15 marathons a season), it offers support, comfort and responsiveness via the most advanced construction of Nike Flyknit and Zoom Air technologies to date, adapted to basketball’s specifications.

This aerial view of Durant’s in-game motion shows his versatility and sweeping range expanding the entire basketball court, which equates to approximately 15 marathons in a season.
Designed by Leo Chang, the low-cut shoe features a Flyknit upper engineered down to the pixel for maximum containment. Specifically, it features a pattern with a distinct honeycomb structure precisely knit for the multidimensional movement of basketball and Durant’s lateral quickness. Flyknit technology engineering locks down the forefoot while still allowing the foot to move naturally. Flyknit’s efficient material use also ensures the upper is lightweight, without compromising strength.

A visible, tapered Zoom Air unit runs from heel to toe, marking the evolved Air bag’s debut in basketball. Developed over three years of advanced wear testing, the new Zoom Air unit — filled with fibers that compress upon each step, then spring back for unmatched response —  is 16 millimeters thick at the heel and progressively narrows to 10 millimeters at the forefoot. This architecture is tuned to provide maximum impact protection while amplifying the bouncy feel of the Zoom Air unit.
Moreover, the midsole is minimized to enhance the responsive sensation produced by the Zoom Air unit. It also is articulated with anatomical flex groove strategically placed in the forefoot to maximize natural transitions, whereas heel notches add stability to lateral movements.

The KD9 is available globally for athletes of all ages, from toddler to adult, beginning June 20.
To become a Nike+ member and sign up for notifications about the Nike Air Zoom KD9, go to Nike.com.


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Nike and Jordan Brand Present the Ultimate All-Star Experiences

As basketball fans from around the world descend on Toronto this week, Nike and Jordan Brand will celebrate the global game by providing Nike+ members with the ultimate Nike INC. All-Star experience.

 

 

SNKRS XPRESS

SNKRS XPRESS invites Nike+ members to experience the holistic power of Nike and Jordan by offering a curated selection of footwear including the Nike Air Force 1 Flyknit, Air Jordan XXX, Jordan Cement IV, Kobe 11 Royalty and several surprise drops. To secure a seat on the SNKRS XPRESS, members can register at nike.com/snkrsxpress. 

The Toronto SNRKS XPRESS Station will be located at 277 Queen Street West in downtown Toronto and open to the public (via membership) 10am to 8pm from Thursday, February 11, to Sunday, February 14. 

In addition to Toronto, SNKRS XPRESS Stations will also pop-up in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Appointments and sign-up are available through Nike.com/snkrsxpress.

Chicago (11AM - 8PM)
669 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Los Angeles (10AM - 7PM)
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

New York City (11AM - 7PM)
120 Wooster St.
Unit C
New York, NY 10012

Nike and Jordan Retail Locations
Canada’s first Jordan-only retail location, 306 Yonge (at 306 Yonge St.) provides the ultimate Jordan Brand experience in Toronto. The store will feature a premium assortment of Jordan footwear and apparel, including a rotation of product influenced by Toronto and the culture of basketball.

306 Yonge, Jordan only-retail store.

Jordan's "Best Of" Wall at 306 Yonge.

The store will also feature the Jordan Standard, an immersive experience available exclusively to Jordan members, in which participants use body tracking and ball control technology to test speed, control, agility, endurance and focus.

Located below 306 Yonge, 306 Underground serves up the ultimate VIP Jordan service experience. The lounge will offer customization, early product reservation, barber services and personal shopping. Nike+ members can sign up at Nike.com/snkrsxpress to reserve their spot.

Both spaces will officially open on Friday, February 12 at 6:23am EST and close on Monday, February 15 at 6:23pm.

NIKEiD Loft

Write a custom court story with NIKEiD, which invites you to personalize Nike's best signature hoops shoes with iconic graphics, All-Star color schemes, color-shift material options and more, at 548 Richmond Street West: Tuesday, February 9, 12pm-9pm; Wednesday, February 10, 12pm-5pm; Thursday, February 11, 12pm-6pm; Friday, February 12, 2pm -6pm; Saturday, February 13, 12pm-6pm; and Sunday, February 14, 11am-6pm.

On The Court

Throughout the weekend, Mattamy Centre, located at 50 Carlton St., will be the premiere Jordan performance location, featuring the Air Jordan XXX. Elite basketball athletes and Jordan members will have the opportunity to participate in Jordan Training sessions and learn from Jordan Brand athletes at exclusive player appearances.

On Thursday, Jordan Brand will look to bring elite talent from the United States up north to compete in the inaugural Jordan Brand Invitational, hosted at Mattamy Centre. Canada’s own Father Henry Carr and Orangeville Prep will face off against U.S. powerhouses Redondo Union and Oak Hill Prep beginning at 6pm. Admission is free for Jordan members. Visit Jordan.com/JBI to become a member and secure your spot at the game.

Tune into Nike.com/snkrsxpress throughout the week and follow @nikebasketball, @Jumpman23 and @NikeSportswear on Twitter for more information.

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The Story Behind Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit, The Lightest Air Force 1 Ever

Thirty-four years after its launch and 2,000 iterations later, the Air Force 1 — an iconic shoe with roots in basketball and legend status in street culture — remains one of Nike’s most recognizable silhouettes. As a foundational design, it also presents an opportunity to reimagine new visions of classics.
To usher the icon into the future, while taking its legacy, use and symbolism into consideration, Nike designers tasked themselves with marrying the original silhouette and Nike’s breathable, lightweight Flyknit material. But the application process wasn’t wholly intuitive.

It started with Nike Sportswear designers taking steamy 12-hour inspiration strolls around Paris in the summer, which led to the conviction that they could make the shoe lighter and more flexible while enhancing fit and reducing creasing on the toe vamp.
The designers knew that they needed a solution that preserved the essence of the original Air Force 1. Taking a hands-on approach, Nike Footwear Design Director Jonathan Johnsongriffin bonded a dark grey Flyknit upper to a 3D-printed prototype of an Air Force 1 sole, then used a black marker to color in the Swoosh and eye soles.

Johnsongriffin’s frankensteined model instantly clicked, as it maintained the integrity of the traditional shoe, with the added comfort of the Nike Roshe One. The design team next made a sample using multicolor Flyknit material. The development of the lightest Air Force 1 ever was officially underway, shepherded by a collaborative team of footwear engineers, developers, last engineers, Flyknit programmers, 3D designers and product line managers.

From the beginning, the team insisted on keeping the concentric circles of the archetype sole’s shoe pivots, in addition to its AIR lettering and tooling. They decided to deboss instead of emboss the lettering and use injected unit rubber tooling instead of polyurethane tooling to make the shoe even lighter. They also insisted on keeping the 52 stars on the rubber toe piece.
When applying Flyknit, the teams collaborated to engineer the exact structures and textures necessary to maintain the shape and paneling of the original Air Force 1. They focused on keeping the original stance of the tip, saddle, foxing and vamp, as well as the perforations in the vamp, by programming thicker, firmer yarn on the raised tip and undulating eye stay. Flyknit technology enabled the design team to precisely micro-engineer every stitch to create the featherweight upper for maximum comfort and minimal weight, while it also reduced manufacturing waste and the amount of material used. The shoe became not only the lightest Air Force 1 ever made, approximately half the weight of the original, but also the first Flyknit shoe to include a leather Swoosh logo.

Half the weight of the original Air Force 1
The Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit debuts in Flyknit favorite, multicolor, and University Red for Nike Sportswear, plus a classic all-white Air Force 1 colorway for NikeLab. The Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit is available now on www.Nike.com/Techbook, Nike's interactive and shoppable lookbook, and January 28 on Nike.com and retailers worldwide.

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Kobe 11 BHM 4468 Shoe Embodies the Power of Courage

“Be Courageous,” composed by two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper, celebrates the full breadth of Kobe Bryant’s 20-year career, encapsulating its struggles and soaring high points. The above film explores the Robert Glasper Trio’s creative process and inspiration for the song.

The new “Be Courageous” track includes the 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures and symbolically goes beyond jazz.

Glasper’s choice of 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures, which define the track’s structure, goes deeper than jazz convention. The numbers align with a significant event in history: the assassination of a great leader on April 4, 1968 (4/4/68) in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel. Additionally, Glasper draws inspiration from the city’s rich musical heritage — including pioneering labels like Stax Records, whose artists frequented the Lorraine Motel, which itself was a catalyst for community growth and support.

Two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper.
The Robert Glasper Trio at work in the studio.
Vicente Archer, bassist for the Robert Glasper Trio.
Damon Reid on drums.


The story also inspires the KOBE 11 BHM 4468 shoe, which features an emblematic record on the tongue and other details connecting to the musical storyline. The shoe, part of the larger 2016 Black History Month Collection, isavailable now.
Furthermore, fans are encouraged to submit their favorite highlights of Bryant’s career in the comment section on the Nike Basketball soundcloud.com page after listening to the music score from the Robert Glasper Trio.
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Nike Brings Paul George to Manila to Inspire and Enable #RisePlayers

Manila, Philippines, July 20 2015 – Nike basketball athlete, Paul George, was in Manila to be the first mentor to the 24 players from #Rise, Nike’s first ever reality documentary and basketball development program.

George arrived on Sunday, July 19, and dropped in on local kids playing basketball at a tenement court, getting his first immersion into Pinoy streetball. On July 20 George opened the House of Rise, the main training ground for Rise players, and introduced the 24 Rise players. The Rise players have embarked on a six-week journey of high-level basketball training from professional coaches led by former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and former national player now Talk ‘N Text team manager Jimmy Alapag.

Since July 15, the Rise players have been living like a Nike athlete – professional training every day consisting of skills drills and strength and conditioning workouts.  Training is conducted by Nike Rise coaching staff led by Coach Chot. They will be aided by elevated training tools that will help them analyze their game and get better at it, raise their level through speed, shooting and defensive exercises, and be motivated by athletes who will share their own Rise stories.

The Rise players have been equipped with the best Nike Basketball product innovations that include both training apparel and footwear. For supporters and fans, the Nike Rise collection of tees and signature athlete shoes will be available at selected Nike stores beginning July 2015.

“There is no lack of basketball talent in the Philippines. But there may be a lack of opportunity. Every basketball player wants to reach new heights in his game so he can bring his game out there and reach his or her basketball dream. Nike wants to help them get out of their comfort zone so they can make that next step that will make them rise to the top of their game. By providing them with a professionally run basketball program and product innovations to support them, they can hopefully make their dreams come true,”said Patrick Reyes, Country Marketing Manager of Nike Philippines.

The audience can follow the 24 kids on their Rise journey until the final 12 players that comprise the Rise Team are chosen over TV5, every Sunday starting July. For behind-the-scenes and additional training content, go to Nike.com.  Keep track of online content through #Rise.

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About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com

About Rise

Rise is Nike’s first-ever reality documentary basketball program in the Philippines, bringing the best in innovation and training to enable athletes to rise beyond their limits. Rise is to inspire young Filipinos to discover that the ability to rise is in everyone, to raise and game and realise their true basketball potential. Through a nation-wide search, 24 Rise players will be enabled by professional training and coaching, and Nike Basketball product innovations. Training will be conducted in the House of Rise. The journey will be broadcasted on TV5 every Sunday starting July. For behind-the-scenes and additional training content, go to Nike.com. Keep track of online content through #Rise.