AND1 Ph's behind-the-scenes coverage during NBA Global Games Philippines 2013

[Shoe Session – 10.14.13] – AND1 Ph's behind-the-scenes coverage during NBA Global Games Philippines 2013

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Flash, Gettyimages.com, and Rakuten.jp

Greetings, AND Juans!  Just last week (October 10, 2013), the first ever NBA Preseason Game in the Philippines was held at the SM MOA Arena.  It featured the Houston Rockets going up against the Indiana Pacers.  Two NBA players currently signed as AND1 brand ambassadors were in town to play, Indiana’s Lance Stephenson (aka Born Ready) and Houston rookie Isaiah Canaan.

Prior to the actual Preaseason Game, AND1 Ph was able to secure some very exclusive invites to the NBA Welcome Reception held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza courtesy of Relzbach Ventures Inc (RVI), the local distributor of AND1.  The cocktails were held last Wednesday (Oct 9, 2013), and guests were able to mingle with NBA legends and personalities.  Among those spotted in attendance were Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale, Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, associate head coach Nate McMillan, and Pacers team President and member of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players – Larry Bird.

The Bachmanns (RVI, local AND1 distributor), Larry, and Kevin 

all having a good time last October 9, 2013.

Former Boston teammates Larry Bird (Pacers President) 

and Kevin McHale (Rockets head coach).

Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel and associate head coach Nate McMillan.

Also seen were former Portland Trailblazer/Houston Rocket Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry, and Jalen Rose.  Some local celebrities and sports personalities were also present, headlined by PBA players Ali Peek and current Gilas Pilipinas players Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood, and Beau Belga.

NBA legends Robert Horry and Jalen Rose.

Gilas Pilipinas players in attendance during the NBA Welcome Reception,

Gabe Norwood (left) and Jimmy Alapag (right).

AND1 Philippines' Flash and RVI's Bob Bachmann were in attendance during 

the HOU-IND match at SM MOA Arena last October 10, 2013.

During actual gameday, Lance Stephenson wore his custom AND1 Tai Chi exclusive PEs while Isaiah Canaan rocked Tha Beast Mids in black/red.  More images on Lance’s and Isaiah’s kicks below:

Flash with AND1's finest Lance Stephenson aka Born Ready right before tip-off.

Tai Chi Mid - Lance Stephenson custom PEs

AND1's latest brand ambassador, Murray State alum and current Rocket - 

Isaiah Canaan poses for AND1 Philippines before the start of the game.

Houston's Isaiah Canaan (jersey #1) rocking his AND1 Tha Beast Mids.

Tha Beast Mid - black/black/varsity red colorway.

As for the game itself, SM MOA Arena was definitely buzzing with energy and basketball frenzy was at a fever pitch.  Crowd attendance was reportedly at 12,885, and despite a lackluster start by Indiana, the game started to become tighter between both teams by the end of the 2^nd quarter.  Just a couple of possessions before halftime, Lance Stephenson scored on a tough drive despite being fouled – thereby giving him the chance for an (quite fittingly) AND1 opportunity.  Check out the Youtube video below:

Click to play.

Relying on their high-powered offense, Houston simply outshot and outmuscled Indiana by the 2nd half.  The game ended with the Rockets coming out on top, winning handedly by 20 points (116-96) over the Pacers.

A view from inside the SM MOA Arena.

The Rockets defeat the Pacers, 116-96 in the 

first ever NBA Preseason Game in the Philippines.

Shoutouts to Bob Bachmann and the rest of the Bachmann family (RVI / AKT!V Lifestyle and Sports) for the NBA tickets.  Stay tuned for more AND1 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).  Bonus images from both days are posted below.

Flash (in his white/red Tai Chi Mids) poses at the podium.

Pacers Danny Granger, George Hill, Lance Stephenson (middle) 

and Paul George during the NBA Welcome Reception.

AND1 Ph's Flash poses before the game.  

Houston's James Harden can be seen in the background.

Flash with a quick photo op near the Pacers' bench.

NBA preseason game crowd attendance was reported at 12,885.

AND1’s official press release on the signing of Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin

[Shoe Session – 10.3.13] – AND1’s official press release on the signing of Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls / Press release c/o AND1 Basketball 
Images: Getty Images / Nice Kicks website

AND1 has just released their official bulletin on the recent signing of NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan of the Houston Rockets and Jamaal Franklin of the Memphis Grizzlies as brand endorsers.  The two will join Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson as the brand’s ambassadors for the 2013-14 NBA season.

Key takeaways from Maurice Levy (director of marketing for AND1) as quoted from the press release:

“Isaiah Canaan embodies the AND1 brand because he honors the game with his hard work, energy, dedication and great attitude.  He doesn’t take anything for granted and that’s one of the things we liked most about him.”

“Jamaal Franklin fits the AND1 mold because he knows he has to earn his way to the NBA through hard work.  He has a lot of potential and is determined to make an impact for Memphis. Plus, he competes every night, is an excellent rebounder and passes the ball and he can jump through the roof.”

[Click HERE to read the complete PR article.]

A couple of weeks ago, we’ve already posted about the new sign ups (click HERE for the AND1 Ph blog post).  Isaiah and Jamaal, selected 34^th and 41^st overall respectively, will be AND1’s presence in the Western Conference, while Lance will continue to hold it down for the East.  Both immediately showcased their brand affinity, rocking identical black/black AND1 Tai Chi Mids during the recently concluded team photoshoots for NBA’s pre-season Media Day.

According to the press document, “We’re very proud to have both Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin wearing the entire line of AND1 basketball shoes and our apparel this season,” said Levy. “We can’t wait to get the basketball season started up again.”

Follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for more news and updates both locally and internationally.  Stay tuned, AND Juans!

Fresh Faces! AND1 signs 2013 NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin as brand endorsers

[Shoe Session – 9.16.13] – Fresh Faces!  AND1 signs 2013 NBA rookies Isaiah Canaan and Jamaal Franklin as brand endorsers

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

2013 continues to be an exciting year for AND1 as it celebrates its 20^th anniversary, with their signing of two NBA rookies drafted from the 2013 pool.  Isaiah Canaan (Houston Rockets) and Jamaal Franklin (Memphis Grizzlies) are officially onboard to be AND1 brand endorsers and will be joining breakout star Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers as faces of the popular basketball company.  These two young, explosive guards will banner the AND1 brand throughout the 2013-14 season and will bolster a steadily increasing NBA presence which now branches out to the League’s Western Conference.

Isaiah who?

Hailing from Mississippi, Isaiah was the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Freshman of the Year in 2010 and was awarded the OVC Player of the Year back-to-back (2012, 2013).  Drafted 34th overall by Houston in the 2013 NBA Draft from the Murray State Racers, he recently signed a 3-year deal with the Rockets.  Posted a Youtube highlights mix below of Canaan (click to play).

Listed at 6’0” – Canaan is a strong, physical point guard w/ good 3-point shooting and has an accurate pull-up jumpshot.  His built and smart play reminds people of Jameer Nelson, as Canaan not only lead his college squad in points (21.8ppg ave), but in assists and steals as well.  

Check out his NBA draft profile video below (click to play).

Isaiah is currently sporting the AND1 Empire 2.0 Mids (taken during NBA Rookie Media Day).  Fans can connect with him via Twitter (@SiP03) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IsaiahCanaan).

Jamaal who?

California-born Jamaal was the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Player of the Year in 2012 and was a former teammate of Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.  He was drafted 41^st overall by Memphis in the 2013 NBA Draft from the San Diego State Aztecs, and like Canaan, also signed a 3-year deal with the Grizzlies.  Peep a Youtube video below of his highlights from SD State (click to play).

The 6’5” shooting guard possesses an explosive jumper with a good midrange game.  According to his scouting report, he can get into the lane with ease and draws contact well.  He is also a good passer & an excellent rebounder, and his athleticism allows him to be an excellent perimeter defender, to which people liken him to Tony Allen.  Franklin led his college team in scoring (17 ppg), assists (3.2) and steals (1.6).

Fans can connect with him through his official Facebook fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/JamaalFranklinOfficial).  Check out his NBA draft profile video below (click to play).

Both players will be playing in the NBA’s Western Conference, and it will be interesting to finally see AND1 presence in the West while Lance continues to log meaningful minutes for the Pacers in the East.  Posted below are some more images of the two latest additions to the AND1 family, taken during the 2013 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot.

               

Stay tuned for more AND1 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).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

Lance Stephenson (L) with Isaiah Canaan during the 

recently concluded AND1 2013 Summer Remix Tournament.

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).