10 Things We Took From Nike's World Basketball Festival

August 20, 2014 - 7:55 pm by Terrence Watson

Starting in 2010, Nike and Jordan Brand combine the best of all things basketball the U.S. has to offer in a celebration known as the World Basketball Festival. Everything from streetwear, kicks and gear, to teams of elite high school players and cities that are hoops hubs like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles meeting up to show out. Originally held in New York City, WBF made it’s way to D.C. in 2012.

This summer, Nike and Jordan Brand brought the show to Chicago. Read along to find out some of the exclusive things we took from the event.

Scottie Pippen x Nike Is Happening Again And sooner than you think. The NBA legend revealed that the new project to revamp the Nike Air Pippen 6 will debut towards the end of the year. Pippen, didn’t specify what to expect in terms of design. Good to see Nike keeping his legacy alive. Definitely room for his iconic shoes to continue on.

Anthony Davis Is Next Line For NBA Stardom Recently, Kevin Durant gave the co-sign on Anthony Davis as the NBA’s next great player and potential MVP in the near future, Davis hans’t disappointed. After watching him in practice and more importantly in the game against Brazil, there was a reassurance that the USA could withstand losing Durant to fatigue and Paul George to injury by placing the pressure on the New Orleans Pelican Center’s broad shoulders.

Jordan Brand Is Evolving Don’t look now, but Jordan Brand isn’t just for sneakerheads anymore. If ever there was a sign of that, it’s the new retail spaces that keep popping up specifically dedicated to Jumpman gear. Of course kicks are the focus, but now there are whole lines from both the athletic and outerwear sides to go with them. Perhaps its the wave of new designers and new energy of guys behind the scenes. Maybe it’s the Russell Westbrook swag influence. Whatever the reason, the brand is better for it.

XXX’s The New XI Even though the XX9’s are set to release soon, and anticipation is high for their arrival, Jordan Brand is already thinking about the Air Jordan XXX. What it will look like, how it will feel and how long until we see a sample are all on tighter guard than the drop date of a Beyonce album. But we do know this: plans surrounding His Airness’s 30th pair of kicks will begin by this fall. Stay tuned for more on that.

Air Force 1's Almost Had What In Them? While in Chicago, Nike gave a full history of the evolution of the Nike Air Force One. Turns out, an early model of the shoe had a steel plate built in for stability. Designers scrapped the idea for fear that the plate might “snap and potentially poke through the foot.” Three generations of sneaker fans thank The Swoosh for exing out on that one, early.

Derrick Rose Is Still Derrick Rose Other than the aforementioned Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose is looking like the star of this squad. Which normally wouldn’t be surprising of a former league MVP, but he’s been injured for so long, no one quite knew what to expect. Granted, he’s still a little rusty but at least the bounce is still there.

No One Can Guard Kyrie Irving Remember when Cavs guard Kyrie Irving tried out for the Olympic team in 2012 and shook Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and James Harden? Well he’s two years better now and it was worse this go around. There’s always the debate about who the best point guard in the game is, but there’s no who can stop Irving from doing what he wants. King James should be pleased to mold at least one young star (sorry Wiggins).

Nike Never Forgets It turns out there’s a whole department at Nike World HQ devoted to the archives. Not there wouldn’t be, but imagine the catalog that must exist there. They broke out some of the goods for the World Basketball Festival like original models of Nike Dunks, Kobe’s 2008 Olympic Jersey and LeBron’s puppet from the commercials. We miss those guys. Can KD get a puppet? Hell, can I get a puppet? Who do I have to call to.. you know what, never mind. Just read the next slide.

Creativity Never Stops Nike’s always related art to the game of basketball, but more recently have figured out ways to infuse the two. Whether it’s holding art exhibits that showcase interpretations of their line or working with artists like Alvaro FREEGUMS Lizarbe on design details for kicks like the LeBron 9, Nike’s down with the arts. Add Hebru Brantley to that list of incredible artists who’ve shown the game from another side, thanks to his sculpture “flyboy.”

Nike’s Next Signature Shoe Is For... OK, we can’t reveal the player. I think we can talk about the model though (checks with Nike). Nope, can’t talk about the model. Umm, well it has this new feature that... probably can’t say that either. Just know there will be some REALLY big news for one of Nikes main players really soon. Like by the end of the year. I think we’ve said too much.

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