Former AND1 endorser Stephon “Starbury” Marbury wins Chinese Basketball Association championship

[Streetball’s Finest  – 4.10.12] – Former AND1 endorser Stephon “Starbury” Marbury wins Chinese Basketball Association championship

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Getty Images, China Daily, Johnfreeborn.com;  

Videos: c/o Youtube uploaders, I do not own those videos

Former NBA All-Star & And1 endorser and current import for the Beijing Ducks Stephon “Starbury” Marbury recently won the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) last March 30, 2012.  Having already established a huge following and rabid basketball fanbase, Marbury and his teammates won the best of seven series, 4-1, against the defending champions - Guangdong Hongyuan Southern Tigers.

During the title game, he registered 41 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists in leading the Ducks to their thrilling 124-121 Game 5 win.  Eventually, he averaged 33.4 points in that 5-game finals series, and was also the team’s emotional and spiritual leader, willing the team to their 1^st-ever CBA crown in franchise history (click HERE for the China Daily article).

[Author’s sidenote: I have been meaning to write a Stephon Marbury AND1 Baller Birthday blog feature two months ago (born Feb. 20, 1977) but my day job and other scheduling conflicts prevented me from doing so.  Luckily, his recent accomplishment gave me another opportunity to feature him in the And1 Ph blogsite.]

The CBA is the Chinese equivalent of our local PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and is a professional basketball league established in the 1995 season.  Perennial powerhouse Guangdong Hongyuan, was led by former NBA Aaron Brooks as their import.

Unfortunately, while Marbury was able to put up MVP-like numbers, local league rules prevented him from taking home the MVP plum (since he is an import and not a local player).  The fans however, found a way for Marbury to hoist his very own MVP trophy via online polls (click HERE for related article).  Stephon has earned the respect, adulation and superstar status from the very appreciative Chinese basketball fanbase, and chants of “MVP” and “Marbury” can be consistently heard during his games.

Posted below some Youtube video highlights of Starbury’s games in the CBA.

I’ve also included some images and videos of vintage Marbury below, rocking And1 shoes during his brand endorsement days.  During his NBA career, he played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics, averaging 19.3 points per game over the course of a 13-year span.  The Coney Island-native is best known for his dazzling crossovers, quick first-step, pull-up jumpers and daredevil drives to the hoop.

And1 Finger Roll and Tai Chi Mid.

Silky Smooth Mids.

 

Starbury Mids and Quest Mids (and Tyronn Lue rocking the And1 Rise)

Quest Mids while playing for NY Knicks & Team USA in the 2004 Olympics

For more news about And1 both locally (Philippines) and internationally, check us out in Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and on Twitter (@and1ph).  Big thanks to the China Daily website for their own published articles which served as additional references for this blogpost.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

[Shoe News – 11.29.11] - All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various sources and FLASH (in store shots)

One of the most iconic And1 silhouettes ever made, the Taichi model has been re-released in various colorways over the course of its decade-old existence. From white/reds that Vince used in the 2000 ASG Dunk Contest (Larry Hughes wore them that same night too, in white/black CW) to possibly every color combination that would put Skittles to shame. However, I’m very partial to its all-white colorway, and I personally recommend getting a pair while it is still locally available (just got a pair of the Taichi Lows last week).

I know I’ve already written a Taichi blog article last August (click HERE), and that featured a price point that even went lower as of this writing.. so that just means now is the best time to purchase either a Taichi Low for chilling (currently at Php 2095), or a Taichi Mid for regular ballin’ (down from Php 2795 to Php 2395).

Posted below is a pic of the all-white Taichi models (Low and Mid). Those Taichi Lows are absolutely perfect to match with a pair of And1 shorts, or some loose fit denims. So don’t forget to check out your nearest And1 / AKT!V store to find out if they still carry your size. Definitely a must-cop.

Just copped a Taichi Low pair courtesy of Joe Hook Up. White/white.

Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 09.27.11] - Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / GettyImages.com / various sources)

Former NBA player (1992-2005) Latrell Sprewell celebrated his birthday last September 8 (born 1970, 41 this year). He played for 3 NBA teams in his professional basketball career (Golden State, New York, and Minnesota).

Sneakerheads remember his stint with the NY Knicks most prominently due to his And1 kicks which matched his brash, energetic play and ultimately gave NBA-cred to the And1 brand back in the late 90's-early 2000's.

Among his most memorable And1 pairs include Finger Roll Mid, Mad Game Select Mid, Taichi Mid (various CWs), 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Spree Mid (which also came out in Lows.)

For those who no longer remember the player simply known as "Spree", his career highlights include 4 All-Star game selections, was All NBA 1st team in 1994, and also made it the All-NBA Defensive 2nd team the same year.

Spree's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Finger Roll)

(Battling down love versus "The Glove" in And1 Spree Mid)

(And1 Mad Game Select Mid)

(And1 Taichi Mids)

Another September birthday boy is former four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee, Ben Wallace (born September 10, 1974, now 37). Known for being one of the most feared shotblockers and rebounders for the Detroit squad that won the NBA title back in 2004, Big Ben repped And1 proudly in the No Pain, No Game training series as well as having his own signature pair, the And1 Chosen Mids.

Still currently playing for the NBA team Detroit Pistons (second stint), Big Ben also plied his wares for Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His most memorable And1 pairs include the Rekanize Mid, 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Chosen Mid.

Big Ben's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Rekanize Mid)

(And1 2Chi Mid)

(And1 Chosen Mids)

It is interesting to note that both players played in the NBA finals while wearing And1 (Spree and the NY Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 lockout-shortened season, while Big Ben won against the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers in 2004).

Happy, happy belated birthday, And1 ballers!

Cyrus “Skyrus” Baguio turns 31!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 08.19.11] – Cyrus “Skyrus” Baguio turns 31!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Various sources

Current Alaska Aces guard and And1 endorser Cyrus Baguio celebrates his 31st birthday today. Aside from the natal day greetings, And1 Ph would also like to highlight his kicksology, ranging from And1 Taichi Mids to ME8 mids.

The former UST stalwart previously suited up for PBA teams Red Bull, Air21 Express, and Baranggay Ginebra Kings before being traded to the Alaska Aces for Willie Miller.


Known for his acrobatic lay-ups and daredevil drives to the hoop, Baguio also wore And1 pairs while playing for the Powerade Team Pilipinas. Check out some Youtube highlight mixes by clicking HERE and HERE, and some images below of Skyrus rocking And1 kicks.

And1 Taichi Mids are still ON SALE for Php 2799

[Shoe News – 08.10.11] - And1 Taichi Mids are still ON SALE for Php 2799

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Various sources

Fellas, make sure you don’t miss out on the And1 Taichi Mids still currently on markdown price of Php 2799 in local retail.

Being an iconic And1 silhouette (yep, that ‘s the pair that Rafer “Skip” Alston used when he terrorized NY ballparks and the exact same model that Vince Carter rocked during the 2000 NBA ASG when he won the Slam Dunk contest), it’s a steal at that price point!


The Taichi Mids are still available in these colorways:

- White/Varsity Red (arguably the most popular CW for this model, Vince Carter yelled “It’s OVAH!” wearing a pair of these.)
- White/Black (Skip used this CW while playing for the NJ Nets)
- White/Royal Blue
- Black/Black (Jason Williams wore this during his stint with the Miami Heat)
- Black/Varsity Red

Speaking of Taichi Mid colorways, peep our Facebook fanpage album dedicated to this shoe model by clicking HERE …you know, just in case you missed it. Don't forget to LIKE the And1 Ph FB fanpage and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph).