Links: SLAM vs. Gilbert Arenas
SLAM and Agent Zero announce a special collaboration…while he lobbies us for another cover.
Perhaps you’ve heard by now, but SLAM and Gilbert Arenas are collaborating on something special.
A few months back, we were approached by our people at adidas. They explained that this season, for Gilbert’s second version of his signature shoe, the Gil II Zero, they were going to make 20 different versions of the shoe, each inspired by an important different facet of Gilbert’s life. And, they told us, Gilbert wanted us to be a part of it. There’d be a bunch of people involved, from Benihana to Coca-Cola to Microsoft. And the only magazine in the mix? SLAM.
Were we interested? Of course we were.
So we convened something of a sneaker-designing competition at the office. We didn’t know exactly who else was making a shoe for Gil, so a few of us on the staff ended up working on different themes. Khalid designed something of a grown-up version of the shoe, something that would look great with jeans and a sweater. (That’s the way Khalid usually dresses, ever since he started copying my look.) I worked with famed SLAM art director Stephen Goggi to create a loud, fun and crazy shoe (much like Gilbert). And Ben kept it close to home, coming up with a shoe made almost entirely of pebbled basketball leather. We took a vote around the office and Ben’s design won, so we sent it off to be made. (Then, recently, we heard back from adidas that the basketball leather thing didn’t work for various reasons. So Stephen and I touched up our runner-up shoe and sent it along.)
The thing is, the SLAM Gil II Zero shoe wasn’t supposed to even come out until February, so we were all content to be quiet and wait until just before it dropped to tell the world about the SLAM Gil II Zero. And then last week in his NBA.com blog, Gilbert went and blew the lid off the whole campaign, writing…
SLAM Magazine has a color way too for my new sneakers so, I’m going to put it in their heads now, if they have a color that means I’m going to be on my next SLAM cover. It has to be. You can’t have your own color of my shoe and put me in the back of the book! You have to put me on the cover, right? So right now, we already know, that I’m going to be on my second cover with my new SLAM shoe.
We didn’t mind that Gil told the world about our collaboration — after all, they’re his shoes — but we were interested in the stuff about him wanting another cover.
So, with Gil in town today to do a media blitz for his new shoes, I swung by his suite at the W Hotel in midtown Manhattan to straighten some things out. Here’s our conversation, edited to preserve whatever secrecy we could salvage…
SLAM: OK, the first thing I wanted to ask you was why should we give you a SLAM cover?
GIL: Besides I’m the man?
SLAM: Yeah.
GIL: Actually, because I’m more popular than I was the last time you put me on the cover. So I think I’m gonna sell a lot more copies this time around.
SLAM: Good, because last time it didn’t do so well.
GIL: (looks hurt) It didn’t?
SLAM: Nah, it did fine. I’m just playing with you. So, if we get you this cover, do you have concepts, ideas?
GIL: Huh?
SLAM: Do you have any concepts for the cover?
GIL: You know, I don’t yet. I have to get that cover first before I can come up with a concept. I don’t want to give you a concept and then have you put someone else on it.
SLAM: Honestly, there’s two people ahead of you in line.
GIL: Who?
SLAM: First of all is >REDACTED<, who is on our NBA preview issue cover out in a few weeks.
GIL: (Gilbert looks to the sky, doesn't say anything.)
SLAM: I think we can say that's a no comment from Gilbert Arenas.
GIL: Mmm-hmm.
SLAM: And then I think probably >REDACTED< is after that.
GIL: Well, I'd rather...I mean, that's a great two to be behind.
SLAM: I know, right?
GIL: OK then, can I get that All-Star edition then, or something like that?
SLAM: We can talk about it. We'll get you...um...we'll get you this season.
GIL: I mean, you guys are making one of my shoes!
SLAM: You haven't seen ours yet, have you?
GIL: No.
SLAM: Well, we did one design that was all made out of basketball leather with gold trim, and it didn't come out -- they said the materials just didn't look right. So we went with a different concept that's kind of crazy. It has >ENTIRE SENTENCES REDACTED<.
GIL: Oh wow!
SLAM: And on the back it says >REDACTED<.
GIL: (busts out laughing) Oh, OK!
SLAM: I mean, we thought the theme of our shoe should just be fun, because that's kind of what you represent in the NBA: having fun. But how did we get picked to do your shoe? They came to us and said you wanted us to do a shoe for you, and we were like of course, but we didn't know why you picked us...
GIL: I figured this would make you guys put me on the cover! I mean, come on! Jesus Christ!
SLAM: Did you read SLAM growing up?
GIL: (exasperated) Yes! That's why I was looking through the old covers, looking for my man, Penny Hardaway.
SLAM: Didn't you have a collage of SLAM photos on your wall growing up?
GIL: Yes, of all Penny Hardaway.
SLAM: Have you met him since you hit the NBA?
GIL: Yeah, I got his autographs and everything. That was the only person I didn't have, my favorite player.
SLAM: You got his autograph when you were a kid?
GIL: No, I just got it. I got his autograph like a month ago.
SLAM: Was it strange asking him for his autograph?
GIL: Well, it was amazing, because I put a blog in about him being my favorite player, and he called me. I was like, yeah, right, this isn't Penny Hardaway. And then we started talking, and he was like, "Well, if you ever need anything, let me know." I was like, alright, how about sending me about 14 of your jerseys? (laughs)
The SLAM Gil II Zero will drop in New York City on February 19, 2008. Only 1,000 pairs will be made, so if you’re interested you best get your kicks game tight. For the full list of shoes and release dates, check here.)
51 Responses to “Links: SLAM vs. Gilbert Arenas”
Sep.20 at 12:40 am
chiqo says:
the shoes should have had a shark on them.
Sep.20 at 12:44 am
niQ says:
coo..but i prolly wont cop a pair.. the first ones were ill tho
Sep.20 at 12:45 am
gilbertology says:
I wish I lived in New York
Sep.20 at 12:47 am
dino andres says:
even agent zero loves penny. penny hardaway’s da man! can’t wait for da new kicks gil
Sep.20 at 12:48 am
Chris O says:
the shoes should have a shark and a tiger in outerspace.
Sep.20 at 1:29 am
bootlace says:
Arenas is everything that SLAM embodies and he’s shown mad love for yall. Also hes a heck of a player who should really blow up this year like never before. Give him those 20 covers I say.
Sep.20 at 2:24 am
Chukaz says:
I don’t think he likes Penny as he claims because he didn’t ask you guys to put Penny on a cover. He’s a Penny hater. Kobe should get 5 covers next season!
Sep.20 at 2:45 am
Lang Whitaker says:
That’s a great idea, Chris. We’ll do that next year.
Sep.20 at 2:56 am
orteezy says:
he is the funniest dood ever. he shouldnt just get his own cover, his whole issue where he’s guest editor or something! that would be hillarious i’m sure
Sep.20 at 2:56 am
orteezy says:
…the kicks section could just be all the shoes
Sep.20 at 5:16 am
Froggiestyle says:
>REDACTEDREDACTED<
Sep.20 at 8:13 am
Ryan Jones says:
GQ didn’t get to do a shoe?
Sep.20 at 8:22 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
retracted?
Sep.20 at 8:24 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
im SO happy i got the chris paul cover. since i’ve been a subscriber for so long, it’s good to know slam will shield me from crazy, no-good covers like gil’s. i love the school bus yellow chris paul cover! yea slam!
Sep.20 at 8:28 am
white hot eboy says:
Lang, was Gilbert rolling his eyes at the next coverboy or just looking up as to say “oh, that’s a good idea, that makes sense”? That could go a long way to telling who it us for all of us not in the know.
Sep.20 at 8:45 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
kobe then lebron, or lebron then kobe. they should go with chris paul again, only this time have the other cover be jordan, and send all the subsribers the chris paul cover. thats a great idea, slam should do that.
Sep.20 at 8:46 am
DeVontae Palmer aka The WONDER BOY says:
Wow…………..this is a big step. Eastbay has like freakin 11 different styles of the first one and they are fire! You can even get your name on the shoe! I know these shoes are going to be even bettter than the first and I am starting to like these more than all my jordans right now. play wit it.
Sep.20 at 8:55 am
white hot eboy says:
Tarzan, I’m starting to think you are female for your hot coc* love for CP3. I mean I love MJ and D-Wade, but I’m not calling for covers to satisfy my urges. Just saying.
Sep.20 at 9:12 am
mike says:
for the gil zero cover you should have the picture of him at the all-star game jumping off the trampoline, that sh!t would sell!!!
Sep.20 at 9:25 am
Jake Appleman says:
Amazing
Sep.20 at 9:25 am
Jake Appleman says:
Amazing
Sep.20 at 9:31 am
bobby stew says:
I got a feeling KG is on the next cover
Sep.20 at 9:46 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
slam is going to make a nice jesus, paul, and kg shamrock cover, but send a yellow chris paul to all the subscribers, or better yet, adam morrison in f$ckin orange
Sep.20 at 9:50 am
Hisham says:
new font!
Sep.20 at 10:48 am
deepspace5 says:
so the back of his shoe says ping ping?
Sep.20 at 11:06 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Fixed the font problem. Actually, Gilbert’s going to be wearing Mr. Ping Ping this season.
Sep.20 at 11:41 am
h-town nick says:
Wearing Mr. Ping Ping? Sort of like d-wade’s hex pads, only instead of hex pads, a very little person? Can we make this happen?
Sep.20 at 12:05 pm
Chou says:
Gil should get Penny laced with his kicks..
Sep.20 at 12:24 pm
Rubens says:
“Besides I’m the man?” this dude needs a tv show…
Sep.20 at 12:30 pm
Sesa says:
One of the cover had to be Kobe. “And on the back it says HIBACHI”
Sep.20 at 12:44 pm
Reggie Evans says:
You guys are
Sep.20 at 12:52 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I’m really looking forward to what happens once Khalid reads this post.
Sep.20 at 1:12 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Lang stop hatin’. How can i copy your style? You don’t have any style.
Sep.20 at 1:43 pm
Hisham says:
today is slooowww.. but i’m actually getting work done, so that’s a good thing i guess
Sep.20 at 1:46 pm
tike says:
I wont be copping them the first ones were pretty butt….and Gil shouldnt get any cover love
Sep.20 at 2:09 pm
Gus says:
Penny : Lil’ Penny
Bron : Thirst
Gil : Mr. Ping Ping Somebody get Sprite on the phone
Sep.20 at 2:37 pm
BruceO says:
I know the best idea, gil will love it. Have slam covers of penny, or penny live (both cases he should bewearing gil’s shoes) and gil lying on his bed wearing his shoes daydreaming about being penny..and then perhaps have another section below that like who’s the next kid dreaming about being arenas. When that kid grows up he’ll want the same type cover will gil wearing his shoes and him dreaming about being gil
Sep.20 at 5:36 pm
Mr. Bob Dobolina says:
How about the Black President slam dunking Mr. Ping Ping?
Sep.20 at 7:15 pm
The Kid says:
Gilbert is the best point guard in the league so you’ll need to stop hating and look Agent zero is only motivated by you all hating…60 wins next season
Sep.20 at 7:17 pm
The Kid says:
First of all later this year Nick young and Gil will be on the cover, cause they’ll be doing there thing
Sep.20 at 8:55 pm
gii says:
i never get tired of reading gil interviews.
Sep.20 at 9:02 pm
Devontae Palmer AKA THE WONDER BOY says:
I hope I don’t spend my whole life savings for these shoes because I am liking them better than any shoe on the block right now. Maybe I can get a loan or something so I can afford all twenty unique styles. play wit it.
Sep.20 at 10:39 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Lang was being nice; I think the Gilbert/Chris Paul cover was the worst-performing issue of 2006.
Sep.21 at 9:12 am
mike says:
the cp3 cover wasn’t bad
Sep.21 at 5:10 pm
albie1kenobi says:
wait til 0 reads what Ben said.
does he ever come to this site? and if he does why doesn’t he comment? that would instantly triple the hits here.
and for the NBA season preview cover, i predict the coverboy be: “D Stern. ‘Change? who needs change?’”
Sep.21 at 9:12 pm
Question says:
Surely of the next covers is KG… or the a trio of KG, The Truth and J.Shuttlesworth? You can work some magic with that green and white colour scheme… and I guess Kobe would be the other cover boy…
Sep.24 at 4:57 pm
zerotwohero says:
I think that the Gil 20’s will be better. Have you seen them? They are fly!
Sep.26 at 4:31 am
KA says:
“GIL: (looks hurt) It didn’t? SLAM: Nah, it did fine. I’m just playing with you” i frickin lold, i
Sep.26 at 11:06 am
The Sweede says:
Gil is not the best point guard in the league, hands down Jason Kidd is. Seriously, Gil is good, but Kidd’s dependable and controls the court. I’d play Gil though, just for the personality.
Sep.26 at 10:06 pm
JpT says:
the two players ahead of Gil? Garnett in a boston jersey. and Kobe(who else???).
Sep.28 at 10:30 pm
jmac says:
Gil is good but he will never be better then Nash or JKidd and dont even start to talk about magic