AND1 and Lance Stephenson’s 2012-2013 NBA season

[Shoe Session – 06.06.13] – AND1 and Lance Stephenson’s 2012-2013 NBA season

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Getty Images / ESPN.com / Various other web sources

His season may be over [Editor's note: as of this writing, the Miami Heat has just eliminated the Indiana Pacers from the Eastern Conference Finals], but things are beginning to shape up very positively for AND1 brand endorser Lance Stephenson.  The Brooklyn native has considerably upped his per-game percentages from last season, with a huge jump in scoring (2.5PPG vs 8.8PPG) and rebounding (1.3RPG vs 3.9RPG).

With an increased role and playing time (29 minutes per game) in Coach Frank Vogel’s rotation, the player also known as Born Ready has also given AND1 excellent exposure in the NBA’s sneaker-scape.  Check out pictures of Lance below throughout the NBA regular season.

Born Ready rocking both the Empire 1.0 (Japan SMU) 

and the 2.0 Mids during the regular season.

Lance hooked up with teammates Paul George (L) 

and Gerald Green (R) during the 2013 All Star Game.

Lance's custom Empire 2.0 Mid PEs.

Click HERE for related blog article.

He has also regularly shared pictures of his AND1 gear via his Instagram account mirrored below (@stephensonlance).

In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Stephenson broke out his custom Tai Chi Mids player exclusives.  The blue/white and black/yellow pairs also featured his LS1 logo - and in perfect timing with the brand’s 20^th anniversary (1993-2013) - turned the heads of basketball fans and sneakerheads alike.  More images below.

His enthusiasm towards the AND1 brand is very admirable to say the least, and his steadily increasing fanbase are witnessing a match made in streetball heaven – a baller who not only lets his game do the talking, but also displays unbridled passion reminiscent of streetball battles and that of a brand that has long been synonymous with basketball and its many incarnations (streetball most especially).

The ever-improving young core of the Indiana Pacers have no other place to go but up, and Lance will most definitely be a solid contributor for that squad.  Let’s all continue to watch Born Ready’s growth as a NBA player, and we can expect AND1 to be there every step of the way. 

Stay tuned for more news and updates both locally and internationally from And1 Ph.  Any Juan can follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph). 

The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids – Lance Stephenson PEs (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 2.25.13] – The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids – Lance Stephenson PEs (performance)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: AND1, Dime Magazine (thru Warren Shaw), Getty Images, ESPN

Hey AND Juans, we begin 2013 with the latest edition of Sole Spotlight, and what better way to kick things off with the follow up to the Empire Mids, the Empire 2.0 Mids.  Lance Stephenson aka Born Ready and AND1’s current brand ambassador has been spotted wearing not one, not two, not even three…but FOUR different colorways of the Empire 2.0’s done in Indiana Pacers colorway to match his team jerseys.  Thanks to AND1 US for sharing the images that you see below.

With two “Home” and two “Away” colorways, Lance has been helping lead the resurgent Pacers on top of the NBA’s elite, and as of this writing, Indiana is ranked #2 right behind the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.  Check out more images of Born Ready rocking the different versions of his player-exclusive kicks.  

For those looking for performance reviews of the Empire 2.0 Mids, do check out the previous blog post last August 2012 by clicking HERE.

As with any other PE, his personalized kicks bear his own logo (LS1) at the heel section, as seen below.  Stephenson has also appeared in a recent SLAM magazine ad, and things are heating up as the 20th anniversary of the brand continues to roll this 2013.  Don’t be surprised if he suddenly wears another PE version of an upcoming AND1 model come playoff time.

For more AND1 shoe news, sightings, and updates, follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph).  So until next blogpost…ONE!

Previously posted on his Instagram account (@stephensonlance), a PE version of the upcoming Entourage Mids.  This would look really good if done in IND colorway.

AND1’s official press release on the signing of Lance Stephenson as latest brand endorser

[Shoe Session – 11.26.12] – AND1’s official press release on the signing of Lance Stephenson as latest brand endorser

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls / Press release c/o And1 Basketball 
Images: Getty Images / ESPN.com / Various other web sources

The word’s out that AND1 has a new brand endorser, and the latest sign-up is no other than Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson.  Check out the screenshot of the press release below:

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Lance aka Born Ready has been playing in the NBA for 3 years already.  He was drafted 40th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft and bannered for Lincoln High School (Coney Island) - where he remains as NY state’s all-time leading scorer in high school basketball (2,946 points).  Posted a couple of Youtube highlights mixes below of young Lance in high school.

Click to play the videos.

In comes no surprise that Stephenson has reaped a lot of awards before joining the NBA, with city basketball championships (four years with Lincoln), named New York State Mr. Basketball, a McDonald's All-American Team selection in 2009, and was awarded the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2010 with the Cincinnati Bearcats.

The explosive guard is on a path to a breakout year with the Pacers, having earned a starting slot in Indiana coach Frank Vogel’s rotation.  As of this writing, (14 games into the 2012-13 season), his in-game stats are 7.9PPG plus 3RPG while shooting 47% from 3pt range.  Peep his latest NBA highlight move below, a vicious spin move plus the sweet finish against the Spurs.

Click to play video.

According to the press document, And1 Brand President Rob Purvy quips.. “Lance is a welcome addition to the AND1 family.”   Furthermore, he mentioned that “He is a very promising young talent and is committed to playing at the highest level.  We at AND1 share the same passion as we produce only the best basketball footwear and apparel for our customers.”

Stephenson rocking AND1 Empire 2.0 Mids.

To which Stephenson replies..”I’m really honored to be considered by AND1 to be part of its roster of NBA endorsers."  The 6-foot-5, 228-pound playmaker adds “I believe that my on-court playing style and dedication to the game is a perfect match for the AND1 brand’s commitment to producing only the best basketball gear.”

Lance is currently sporting the AND1 Empire 2.0 Mids (as seen in his move against Tony Parker above), but has also been seen wearing the Guardian Mids and original Empire Mids.  Fans can connect with him via Twitter (@StephensonLance) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lance.stephenson.14).

Lance in Guardian Mids (left) and Empire Mids (right).

 

Stay tuned for more news and updates both locally and internationally from And1 Ph.  Any Juan can follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).