Nike Basketball News

1-on-1: Brandon Roy vs. Paul Pierce - The Last Shot

jechee — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:59:59 GMT

Tick. Tock. Tick-tock. 3. 2. 1. Buzzer.

Swish.

Even if you've never played organized basketball, chances are you've nailed a few game-winning jumpers - while serving as your own play-by-play announcer - on the hoop in your driveway.

Or a crumpled piece of paper in your cube at the office. A rolled up sock on laundry day.

For elite shot-makers like Brandon Roy and Paul Pierce, it just seems to happen a little more often. With 20,000 or so of their closest friends watching in the stands.

Brandon has become the frontline late-game hero for Portland.

A sturdy 6'6" and 211lbs., he has a knack for absorbing contact while attacking the rim with the game on the line. Backed by the calm on-court demeanor of a player with twice his experience, Brandon also has the range to catch and shoot from just about anywhere on the court - even with the opponent's best defender in his face.

In his three years in the league, you've seen Brandon ice games at the free throw line and rain bombs from 30-feet as time expired. At the tender age of 25, he's already a well-defined constant come winning time.

Paul has been doing it for more than a decade.

The definition of smooth. The designation as "The Truth." An NBA Finals MVP as the defining proof.

When you talk about legendary clutch Boston players - and as the winningest championship franchise in league history, Boston's had more than a few - there aren't many players you'd name before Paul.

His favorite spot: free-throw line, elbow extended. And truth be told, even if his defender beats him to it, Paul’s 6'7" length and veteran poise always seems to pay off in go-ahead buckets for the guys in green.

Game 7s bring out his very best. And in the closing seconds, he makes no hesitation about what’s coming next.

The question:

Who do you want taking the last shot, Brandon Roy or Paul Pierce?

Brandon Roy: The Color Purple

GoodN81 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:28:57 GMT

Brandon Roy started with a blank canvas: the Trainer 1 shoe.

His frame of reference: wide-open personalization, courtesy of NIKEiD.

The task at hand: creating an inspirational shoe for the training sessions that will help him make the leap into the land of championship MVPs.

So what did Brandon do? He went old-school. Back to his basketball roots.

Purple.

It’s a color, falling midway between red and blue. When paired with a heart, it becomes a highly regarded military decoration. And generally speaking, it denotes regality, often serving as an authoritative marker.

Purple. Didn’t realize it could be - and mean - so many things.

Wait a second. Brandon Roy doesn’t even wear purple. Portland’s team colors are black, red, silver and white.

You’re right.

But this isn’t about the stratosphere of NBA royalty Brandon Roy orbits around today.

It’s about how he got there.

And Brandon’s legacy begins with that elegant hue.

He donned it at Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington.

He began turning heads in it:

22.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a senior cemented Brandon’s second KingCo Conference MVP and helped him earn a Top 50 national recruiting ranking.

And he entered stardom in it:

As a purple-clad Washington Husky senior, Brandon carried his college squad deep into the NCAA Tournament on the strength of his 20.2 points per game.

But success wasn’t even his greatest learning tool. So take a closer look at his customized Nike Trainer 1 and see: stitched into the midsole, an “F” followed by a “T”.

Brandon missed a pair of free-throws in the high school semifinals that cost Garfield the game and ended their season. That experience still drives him to this day.

Today, he sits among the NBA’s elite. The heart and soul of his team.

But to Brandon Roy, the foundation for a legacy grinding on the precipice of championship greatness is founded in color wheels and high school shots that didn’t go in.

The lessons learned. The memories literally stitched into the kicks.

So the question is:

Where will yours begin?

Build it at NIKEiD.com

The Family: B-Roy Goes Big

Hotnix — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:16:32 GMT

The NBA has a long history of prolific point guards with ESP, magic hands, and unstoppable pickpocket skills. After his 42 point playoff performance, Portland’s Brandon Roy helping lead the renaissance of the floor general.

As veterans like Steve Nash begin to pass the torch to the next generation of point men, the big story of the past two seasons is worthy of a reality show like America’s Next Top Point Guard.

B-Roy stole the spotlight Tuesday night in Portland's face off against the Rockets. He took over the game from the jump, racking up ten points in the first 12 minutes alone. And after they traded hard earned baskets with Houston all night it was his 42 points that carried them to victory. But Brandon wasn’t alone in his attack.

The Blazer front court always has a way of controlling the paint. LaMarcus Aldridge showed his ever-expanding arsenal, contributing 27 points. Though he only put up four points, Greg Oden’s massive presence and shutdown defense kept the Rockets in check. Meanwhile, Rudy Fernandez continued to prove why he belongs in the league with dynamic dunks, two big steals and 11 crucial points. And with Brandon feeding them the rock, the dimes kept dropping, leading them to a 107-103 victory.

As we all know, people are quick to put Utah’s Deron Williams and New Orleans point man at the top of the point guard list. But based on last Tuesday’s performance and a season average of 22.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.2 steals and 4.6 rebounds, Roy has led his team to a good postseason start and is keeping himself on the radar as the next big thing.

Brandon Roy and the Portland Trailblazers face the Houston Rockets for game three of their series Friday, April 24th at 7:00pm EST.

The Family: Westbrook's Triple-double

Hotnix — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:33:29 GMT

With all eyes on the #1, #2 and #3 2008-09 draft picks, a player like Russell Westbrook didn't get the attention he deserved as the #4 overall pick. But after last night's triple-double performance he's definitely at the top of the Rookie of the Year list.

There's a lot to be said about Westbrook who, like Canada's Steve Nash, has floated under the radar since high school. As a senior he lit up the L.A. area competition by averaging 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.3 assists. In four years he logged 57 three-pointers, 14 double-doubles, a career-high 51 points in a single game and scored 30 or more points eight different times. But like Nash, he still didn't attract a lot of attention from college recruiters. Not until L.A.'s blue and gold made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

In his two years of college he led his team to the national semi-finals twice. For his all-around game he was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, earned Third Team All-conference honors and was named to the conference All-Defensive Team. And then he joined O.J. Mayo and a class of well known one-and-dones to make the leap.

History proves that not all dominant college players are successful when they go pro. But with only half a season under his belt, Westbrook is following in the footsteps of his teammate, mentor and last year's ROY Kevin Durant. After averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists a game in the first half of the season he was invited to play against KD in the Rookie/Sophomore game during the 2009 midseason classic in Phoenix. Sadly, he and the rookies lost as KD put up an enormous 46 points.

Last night his leadership skills were put to the test as the young Oklahoma City Thunder faced the veteran Dallas Mavericks without the injured Durant. Westbrook showed off his ability to penetrate and create easy baskets for his teammates with 10 assists. He went head-to-head with the big men to grab 10 rebounds. And in the end, he rounded out the triple-double with 17 points, including a beautiful alley oop jam in the second quarter.

With the recent resurgence of power point guards in the league, he's being mentioned in the company of Nash, Deron Williams and Brandon Roy, players that see the entire game, break down defenses and can get the ball to any one of their teammates at will. And as the OKC Thunder look to get their footing and establish themselves in the Western conference it'll be Westbrook's work as floor general that will take them to the top.

The Family: Versus

Hotnix — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:46:27 GMT

2008 goes out fighting with some major battles this week, but 2009 kicks off with 15 phenomenal games and a match-up between two of the league's youngest powerhouse teams.

It’s a battle born in opposite corners of the country when the New Orleans Hornets buzz into Portland to take on the Trail Blazers on their home court. It’s the first contest of 2009 for both teams, so both will be looking to start the year off right. Only one can come away with the win though, which is why we can expect a hard-fought game with guys from both time zones leaving it all out on the floor.

The Hornets will try to put the sting in Portland with the inspired play of David West and his squad, while Portland will look to its young scoring machines Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez and Greg Oden to win big at home. Setting the tone for ’09 is crucial for both teams, so don’t be surprised if the intensity level starts to get up near the Rose Garden roof. If your New Year’s resolution is to never miss a hot game, here’s your chance to make good on it.

NBA Regular Season

Monday, December 29

Orlando vs. Detroit @ 7:30pm ET

Tuesday, December 30

Cleveland vs. Miami @ 7:30pm ET

Wednesday, December 31

Denver vs. Toronto @ 7:00pm ET

Friday, January 2

New Orleans vs. Portland @ 10:00pm ET

Saturday, January 3

Houston vs. Atlanta @ 7:00pm ET

The Collection: Blue Chip

Hotnix — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:25:58 GMT

Every season, a new crop of young athletes hit the league with big dreams and monster skills. But few recent graduates to the pros have made a greater impact on the game than Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay.

Like many young ballers, these four young guns had a dream that was greater than the league. They wanted to be the best. They all share a passion for basketball that inspires them to dedicate every waking moment to getting better.

For the holiday season, Nike and Foot Locker are releasing special edition versions of the Blue Chip sneaker, as worn by the hottest young players in the league. And to show the passion that went into making these athletes great, Foot Locker has created commercials for the shoe featuring KD, D-Will, B-Roy and Rudy. In each spot, the players share their stories about how nothing, not even their families, deep snow, swamp snakes or broken drawstrings could keep them from playing.

Keep a look out for the new commercials and stop by your nearest House of Hoops to get your hands on the all new Blue Chip special edition sneakers.

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
New York
268 West 125th Street
NY, NY 10027

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
Los Angleles
Beverly Center Mall - 6th Floor
8500 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
Chicago
North Riverside Park Mall
7501 W Cermak Rd
Riverside, IL 60546

Go behind the scenes with D-Will, B-Roy, KD and Rudy »