John Wall and Reebok
by Mike Prada on Jun 4, 2010 10:29 AM EDT
in Player Analysis
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PrintI don't follow the whole shoe company thing much, so pardon me if I'm reading too much into this. But I find this news about John Wall meeting with Reebok today significant. Via Michael Lee.
I just heard that likely No. 1 overall pick John Wall is headed to Boston - to meet with reps from Reebok on Fri. about a possible shoe deal ... From what I hear, Reebok is looking for a new franchise face with Allen Iverson retired. Wall could be the future - but he has options.
From what I understand, Reebok has kind of fallen off the map in recent years. They don't have the deep pockets of Nike and Adidas, and because of that, they've been lapped. So if John Wall is seriously considering signing with them, that seems like a pretty big deal, no?
It's almost as if Wall desperately wants to create his own path instead of getting caught up in the LeBron/Nike/JordanBrand mix. First, he eschewed Leon Rose to sign with Dan Fagan, and now, he's doing this. My guess is that he knows that Reebok will make him their top priority if they sign him, since they're desperately looking for a new face to get them back in the public eye.
If so ... this might sound completely blasphemous (it will) ... but isn't this a lot like what Michael Jordan did when he entered the league? Mind you, I'm not saying Wall=MJ, so don't take it that way. But from what I remember, Nike was a bit player in the basketball shoe market before they signed MJ. MJ wanted to go with Nike because he knew they would promote him as their lead guy instead of another shoe company, where he'd be one cog in a larger machine. If Wall signs with Reebok, wouldn't his reasoning be pretty similar?
Anyway, I might be reading too much into this, so tell me if I am. But if this read is on point, it only makes me love John Wall more. I love how he's trying to do his own thing instead of getting caught up with LeBron and his cronies.
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Quality product
What Nike does for their athletes goes way beyond free shoes. They have a system of creating athletic wear thats custom made. So if he is going away from Nike he better be getting the same treatment from Reebok. I don’t want a repeat of Grant Hill, who thought he’d go his own way and become the new face of Fila. His ankle issues followed shortly thereafter and we’ll never know how good he could have been.
As in, isn't it kind of the same thing?
So his agent may be pushing it more than him, but if Wall doesn’t buy in, then the agent can’t push it.
I bet the money will be wherever he wanted it to be
I wish he would stay as far from William Wesley as possible.
by BayAreaBullet on Jun 4, 2010 11:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think ....
Nike was a bit player in the basketball shoe market … to be clear.
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maybe he just doesnt like lebron
which would make me love him more
by Young Wook Lee on Jun 4, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Make like Brandon Jennings
and go with under armour.
Reebok basketball shoes (The Answer) were cheap and crappy. Under Armour is fighting hard to enter the shoe market and is now delivering really quality products (just nabbed the NFL contract from Reebok).
Probably not that big of a deal, but I think it would be a poor choice.
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Speaking of contracts and gear
Does addidas have the contract on all NBA jerseys? And does that expire anytime soon? And would the league consider making it a team choice?
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Maybe John Wall just loves him some Reeboks..
can you really blame him…these are sweet
http://www.kicksaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/reebok_freestyle_all.jpg
Well he signed wit them. think it’s gonna be a goood fit. Reebok gonna make some sweet sneals with Wall!
by Rachel Browne on Jun 10, 2010 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Kentucky Wildcats had these...
http://www.nicekicks.com/2008/09/kentucky-wildcat-nike-hyperdunk-pe/
look pretty sweet. John Wall is to Reebok as John Wall is to the Wizards.
Reebok may not have the best performance shoe, but
this one LOOKS cool. John Wall will make a name for himself either way.
http://www.sneakerhead.com/reebok-pump-omni-lite-basketball-shoes4j07659.html#top
might look cool to a 12 year old
I wouldn’t be caught dead in those.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
damn those are UGLY.
and what do you mean by this….
John Wall is to Reebok as John Wall is to the Wizards.
….???
Reebok just doesn't make a very good basketball shoe
It’s an inferior product. I’ve worn them before and I’d never do it again.
But...
They’re gonna make some good shoes with wall, I’m sure of it. Reebok’s back in the game…
by Rachel Browne on Jun 10, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps Reebok has developed an insole that is resistant to poop stains
If so, smart move by Wall and the strongest signal yet that the Wizards will pick him #1.
by disgrunted on Jun 4, 2010 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Jamaal Crawford wears Reeboks
And I remember thinking …. Really? An NBA player wears Reeboks?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/truth_about_it/4544487309/
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Allen Iverson always wore Reebok..
Those were the only Reebok’s i ever bought…I also rememeber B.Diddy(Baron Davis) being signed to Reebok…And maybe Yao? not sure.
I agree with everyone...Reeboks are ugly
But the more I think about it, the more I like Mike’s idea of John being a traiblazer. There are plenty of guys with Nike that do their own thing..namely, KOBE, Vince, etc, etc. I mean, Nike has 187 players signed…and some of those guys include DJ Mbenga, Ike Diogu, and Brandon Bowman-who never even played in the NBA…at least not for more than a couple games.
Im just saying I feel like Nike will give him enough marketing…but I’d rather see him with someone else, someone new.
If New Balance started making Basketball shoes, I think thatd be a good place to go. The 574’s and 498;s have STREET CRED.
Most likely New Balance wont suddenly start making bball shoes, so my vote goes to Under Armour. Him and Jennings are two of the quickest dudes in the league, who wouldn’t be entertained by a commercial of them going at it?
Adidas sucks too....
And I forgot about Jordan brand…they make quality stuff. The Melo’s have always been nice….and check out the new CP3 shoes…
http://www.soleredemption.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Jordan-CP3-III-Mardi-Gras-2.jpg
Now tell me those AREN’T fresh…you CANT.
oy veh
Mike,
I come to this site bcz you often have insightful things to say about the team. But this is the furthest grasping-for-straws that I’ve ever read on the Internet. Who knows why he is meeting with Reebok? We are all excited about getting the #1 pick and eager for next season, and no doubt we will all be visiting the site to glean tidbits of observation from you above all. But if there is no news, there is no news. Please don’t try to squeeze blood from a stone.
Josh
I presume this is you saying I'm reading too much into this then?
Thanks for your feedback, but … with all due respect … “furthest grasping for straws that I’ve ever read on the Internet?” I presume you don’t read that much on the Internet then.
The point of this post (and this site in general) is not to provide answers, it’s to facilitate discussion. I mentioned several times here that I’m counting on you to tell me if my read is off. If you think so – that’s fine, I appreciate the feedback. Others have said similar things with far more tact. But in all honestly, if you’re telling me that this place would be better off without a thread to discuss something like this, then you’re really missing the point of the site.
Nike was the innovator, not Jordan
Wasn’t MJ’s promotion by Nike a brand new idea (get it, ‘brand’ new?) where Nike really promoted the athlete rather than the other way around? They figured out that people mostly just ask themselves “what do the best players do” when deciding how to equip themselves to play a sport, and worked on making their guy the unquestioned best. Great strategy, and very lucky to pick Jordan as the prototype.
This is great
John wall signed for $25m. Lotta money for a boy who aint even stepped onto an NBA court yet. He’s totally got it sweet with Reebok and theyre gonna support him so much. Glad he made this choice rather than the obvious Nike.
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