SLAM at NIKE’s House of Hoops
Video of Khalid Salaam and Omar Mazariego making sure the place is official.
As we are known to do occasionally we collaborate with our sneaker company peoples in various ways that we hope benefit everyone involved. What is and isn’t beneficial is relative but in this case it’s a win-win. SLAM columnist Omar Mazariego and I were invited to check out Nike’s new House of Hoops before it’s official opening day. We were basically casing the joint for its effectiveness (which means we were there to make sure the spot wasn’t garbage) and shooting a promo while there. So we get there the Saturday before last (Nov 17) and we both were amped up. While I’m not an actual sneakerhead I’ve always been into sneakers and followed the styles throughout the years with a decent amount of passion. Now O, that dude is a sneakers head no doubt. I’ll be in here organizing the KICKS section and he’ll come in and start commenting on how some shoe looks like something else that was out in ’94 and I’m sitting there like okay whatever you say.
So we get there and we meet with Nike execs Archie McEachern and Dean Stoyer who explain to us the idea behind House of Hoops and why they think the time to do it is now. In the video Omar and I are walking through the store talking about what we see. The store is nice, modern without trying to be too trendy. It’s in Harlem across from the Apollo Theater so location-wise its great, easily accessible from the tri-state area and all NYC boroughs. The video is self-explanatory so I won’t give you guys a bunch of words to read. But know that the store is top-notch and they carry basketball shoes and product, have a dope Jordan section and carry Converse as well. So basically Nike did it again.
95 Responses to “SLAM at NIKE’s House of Hoops”
Nov.28 at 4:46 pm
Paps says:
1st
Nov.28 at 4:46 pm
Dizzle says:
First?
Nov.28 at 4:46 pm
Dizzle says:
Dang
Nov.28 at 4:50 pm
Captain America says:
Darn, you’s guy’s beat ‘em me down thar
Nov.28 at 5:02 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Coming soon: The Starbury House of Hoops, set up on the sidewalk in Coney Island on a couple of cardboard boxes that Stephs lifts off a homeless guy on Mermaid Ave.
Nov.28 at 5:07 pm
white hot eboy says:
O’s killing the Winterized Terror Squad look.
Nov.28 at 5:12 pm
jay says:
niice, i might make a stop some time soon, & O yeah, Khalid looks cute. =]
Nov.28 at 5:13 pm
jay says:
also, that was pretty funny Ryan Jones.
Nov.28 at 5:16 pm
MoYooBuIuGuuPvEvNvIvS says:
actually steph had ben wallace debo the guy for his boxes.
Nov.28 at 5:17 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thanks Jay. And Khalid is cute, but I think he’s taken. By Omar.
Nov.28 at 5:23 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Thanks Jay. I hope you are a woman. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…..
Nov.28 at 5:41 pm
d.Y. says:
word. just keep pushing out local businesses and adding more intl franchises and chains. now i understand why they’re calling it “SoHa”. sorry, just said that because of doc’s absurd line that the store would help the local economy. store looks cool. dj was cute, she any good?
Nov.28 at 5:49 pm
Captain America says:
Ryan, I thought Starbury was using his truck House of Hoops.
Nov.28 at 6:00 pm
bxballer says:
damn, whats with the starbury hate
Nov.28 at 6:17 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Loving the outfit, Khalid. It’s always nice to put a face to these names.
Nov.28 at 7:00 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Khalid talks like he’s on fast forward.
Nov.28 at 9:06 pm
chronically_ill says:
Man, the only reason why I watched this was to see what Omar would say. We Want more Omar!
Nov.29 at 1:52 am
Hubert says:
18th!
Nov.29 at 8:57 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
O is Turtle from Entourage.
Nov.29 at 9:18 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
the actor they got to play Omar looks exactly like him. There’s no way that’s the real Omar.
Nov.29 at 9:54 am
white hot eboy says:
Upon furhter inspection, O is giving off the vibe of a papa rellana in a winter coat. It’s all love, O.
Nov.29 at 9:54 am
white hot eboy says:
*further
Nov.29 at 10:18 am
jbn74sb says:
Did Fat Joe grow a beard, or a did Omar eat Ryan?
Nov.29 at 10:20 am
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, what do you have the day off?
Nov.29 at 10:22 am
jbn74sb says:
No - It’s only 6:22 out here. I’m still at home.
Nov.29 at 10:24 am
white hot eboy says:
Good to see your name. What’s the job like? And what about your boys? You liking them better than the beginning of the season?
Nov.29 at 10:28 am
jbn74sb says:
The job is tough and stressful, but exciting and interesting. I’ve learned more in 2.5 weeks than in a year and a half at the other spot.
It’s not obvious from the box score, but Kobe is either a) not trying, or b) lost a step. He either won’t or can’t get by people quite so easily, and therefore is having a harder time settig up his jumper. He has basically tried for about 3 quarters all season.
As for the rest of the team, I said from the get go that I like our depth, but that are 2nd and 3rd best players just aren’t good enough. Lamar, who I do like, has sucked.
Nov.29 at 10:30 am
jbn74sb says:
are = our.
Nov.29 at 10:30 am
white hot eboy says:
Bynum sounds like he’s playing at a strong level. Mr. HOF Mihm not so much, though. That’s cool about the job, too.
Nov.29 at 10:34 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
think it might have something to do with the knee tendenitis, Bodie? I’m undecided. I know Kobe plays through stuff sometimes and it doesn’t get mentioned, but I can’t decide if he is playing through pain and struggling or if he is just not there, mentally. Sometimes he looks into it, but others so not. It is interesting that I have read Phil talking about Kobe’s knees in a few articles in the past couple of days. It kind of came out of nowhere. Fans are roasting Odom and I like him too. I really want to see him come out of his funk and start performing like we all know he can. Glad to see you are liking the job.
Nov.29 at 10:41 am
white hot eboy says:
Hi Holly. Maybe Kobe is finally starting to pace himself now that he’s in the magical 30 land.
Nov.29 at 10:45 am
white hot eboy says:
A certain Mr. Jordan did the same thing in his 3rd decade.
Nov.29 at 10:48 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
He’s got another year before he hits the 30’s, but maybe he is starting to take precautions? I don’t know but when you factor in the number of games he has played in already, it is kind of mind-boggling to imagine the general wear and tear it takes on the body.
Nov.29 at 10:51 am
jbn74sb says:
I think part of the problem is that his alleged new diet and weight loss contradict the nature of things. As an athlete gets older, he should get stronger as his quickness slows down (ala Jordan). Kobe didn’t need to lose any weight, and has now lost a step and doesn’t have the bulk to bump people off him.
Nov.29 at 10:52 am
white hot eboy says:
I thought he was 30 already, hahaha. I think he may know that he is still being shopped and he’s just waiting for the right deal that he will approve.
Nov.29 at 10:53 am
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, am I wrong, or didn’t he look really quick in the Olympic qualifiers this summer. He was all over ball handlers and taking the ball to the basket with little resistance.
Nov.29 at 10:56 am
Co Co says:
Nice outfit Khalid. You look really good.
Nov.29 at 10:58 am
white hot eboy says:
Co Co, I’m starting to get the feeling you are a closet freak.
Nov.29 at 11:00 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
His D has been great so far this season when he wants it to be, so that is why I am not sold on him just being sore/tired/etc. Co Co: Why can’t more men take the same pride in their appearance, hey?
Nov.29 at 11:08 am
Co Co says:
EBOY, no closet in my freak! Holly I don’t know why more men don’t venture past sneakers and hoodies.
Nov.29 at 11:14 am
white hot eboy says:
Co Co, what is, every man you see trying to get a part in the next G-Unit video? Nobody you know dresses smooth? Damn, I thought ATL cats had style.
Nov.29 at 11:20 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
In my encounters of late it seems men are trying to either get in said g-unit vid or are thinking that sweats are acceptable for every occasion. News Flash: Wearing sweats turns a date into a casual affair, take note and dress accordingly.
Nov.29 at 11:21 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Regardless, Khalid is holding it down. Especially in that hat.
Nov.29 at 11:25 am
white hot eboy says:
Khalid should be a cover boy. Dude got plenty of love from the SLAM female quotent. Good for him.
Nov.29 at 11:25 am
Co Co says:
Not all of them EBOY, but a lot of them yeah… Holly you’re right, the hat is sexy.
Nov.29 at 11:27 am
Rasheedionics says:
Is that Turtle from Entourage with Khalid?
Nov.29 at 12:01 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
eboy if i was on a magazine cover that mag would go out of business
Nov.29 at 12:04 pm
white hot eboy says:
You got a few buyers right here Khalid, so you never know.
Nov.29 at 12:05 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
take credit where it is due, Kahlid.
Nov.29 at 12:09 pm
white hot eboy says:
“Popcorn Love”
Nov.29 at 12:15 pm
Co Co says:
Your humility is so endearing Khalid!
Nov.29 at 12:20 pm
white hot eboy says:
Khalid, you kind of reminded me of a lost member of Slik with your hat/ensemble so you may be able to parlay the SLAM lady love by using one of their classic jams as a mood enducer.
Nov.29 at 12:21 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I forgot to mention it in the story but Omar had a lot of lines, curse-free lines at that, but for some reason they edited him out. Which sucks because O is probably the funniest, most heat of the moment dude i know. O will say anything at anytime. He was the person i wanted to get up there because i knew it would be good. Without his feedback the video is not nearly as entertaining as it should have been. O got banned from TV.
Nov.29 at 12:21 pm
white hot eboy says:
sorry, Silk. Khalid, not sure if you’d be familiar with that sort of slow-jam type sh*t.
Nov.29 at 12:22 pm
white hot eboy says:
O is to hot for the intranets.
Nov.29 at 12:23 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Eboy: I had to write about music as a “mood inducer” for one of my latest writing exercises. I chose a different route than the one mentioned here but, it was a fun assignment nonetheless.
Nov.29 at 12:23 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Khalid, any chance we can see the unedited footage?
Nov.29 at 12:26 pm
white hot eboy says:
Holly, I’m sure Shia can give us his own “rage enhanced” music moments. And Khalid, co-sign Holly on the undedited tip.
Nov.29 at 12:27 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
yeah, no rage in my essay.. it was all about the powers of persuasion when you’ve got Marvin Gaye playing.
Nov.29 at 12:27 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Although Shia’s ode to emo would be fun to read, hey?
Nov.29 at 12:29 pm
white hot eboy says:
Holly, Marvin definitley sets the tone.
Nov.29 at 12:32 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
I swear, more guys need to learn these simple things that will set them above the rest. Marvin=automatic. I am also loving the newest Alicia Keys. It took me a few days to really get into it but, now that I have it’s good stuff.
Nov.29 at 12:35 pm
white hot eboy says:
Alicia is so talented. She’s not quite in the Lauryn category for me, but she is right there for new school females.
Nov.29 at 12:36 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Not sure about the unedited footage. I doubt it though.
Nov.29 at 12:36 pm
white hot eboy says:
Damn.
Nov.29 at 12:37 pm
Co Co says:
Marvin=automatic. Wow Holly. You can’t be giving away secrets like that! LOL
Nov.29 at 12:40 pm
white hot eboy says:
That’s not a secret to veteran’s, Co Co.
Nov.29 at 12:40 pm
H to the izzo says:
Khalid:Not joking or trying to annoy but my grandfather had the exact same hat(well it looks the exact same),no joke-brought back a lot of memories.Weird that a sneaker post would do that
Nov.29 at 12:41 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Just trying to pass along the knowledge!! How people can’t recognize the power that is within that man’s voice is beyond me. Your post about the Hawks losing to the Bulls cracked me up yesterday. And, your ultimate goal in life is mine as well! Now, to set it in motion.
Nov.29 at 12:44 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Izzo: Never underestimate the power of SLAM to connect and reconnect things you’d never imagine. Cool story about your grandfather, makes me miss mine!
Nov.29 at 12:47 pm
white hot eboy says:
Izzo, did your grandfather wear knickers and buckled shoes, too? I’m just picturing an older Irishman and I see that pass through my mind. No disrespect meant, btw. Just a question.
Nov.29 at 12:48 pm
H to the izzo says:
Holly:I now have the hat in my hand,it was passed down.It’s in good condition-I am wearing it for the rest of the day
Nov.29 at 12:49 pm
H to the izzo says:
No Eboy,but he was rarely seen without a pipe
Nov.29 at 12:49 pm
white hot eboy says:
Izzo, is there any way you can get a pic of you with the hat on and post it as a link? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov.29 at 12:50 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
awwww that pulled at my heart strings. You wear that hat proudly, Izzo. This sums up the best part of the SLAM-fam.
Nov.29 at 12:50 pm
white hot eboy says:
That would have been the other part of the picture I imagined.
Nov.29 at 12:54 pm
Co Co says:
Thanks for reading it Holly. You’re already halfway there it seems. So sweet Izzo!
Nov.29 at 12:56 pm
H to the izzo says:
Eboy:If my digital camera wasn’t being a prick I would think about it.I am feeling stylish an nostalgic at the same time.This is a superhat
Nov.29 at 12:59 pm
white hot eboy says:
Izzo, you have my email address. Send it there if you get it. I’m bound ethically not to post it without your permission so you wouldn’t have to worry about it being leaked.
Nov.29 at 1:02 pm
H to the izzo says:
I would post it but the camera is really cheap.I can’t overstate the superness of this hat
Nov.29 at 1:07 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
if eboy gets to see it I want to as well! hahah. Let me know and i’ll give you my email.
Nov.29 at 1:09 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Co Co, I can only hope. And your blog is one of my stops each morning, even though I don’t understand much of the football stuff. The picture with Durant was a pleasant suprise, he looks so young. Gosh I forget, he IS so young!!
Nov.29 at 1:13 pm
Co Co says:
Durant looks like a 14 year old and he only weighs 80lbs.
Nov.29 at 2:00 pm
Harlem_World says:
Ha Ha! By all this love for Kha (the sweater is butter, respect where respect due)is this in anyway reversely commenting on O?! Oh, and for the record, O is my favorite writer on this whole site. Word is bond.
Nov.29 at 2:47 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Khalid is the world’s first ghetto-fab metrosexual.
Nov.29 at 2:55 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Harlem world O is my favorite writer on the site too…and ryan chill man. i’m neither ghetto nor fabulous nor a metrosexual. I’m a civilized black man, cream of the planet earth….
Nov.29 at 2:58 pm
white hot eboy says:
Uhm, is O an actual writer for SLAM anymore? I thought he was blogged out. If he is, I need to see his newest sh*t, because I miss that motherfuc*er.
Nov.29 at 3:36 pm
jbn74sb says:
O is currently on hiatus from his writing duties at slam, as he is writing a book about his efforts to challenge Joey Chestnutt and Kobayashi.
Nov.29 at 3:45 pm
white hot eboy says:
LOL @ Bodie. I miss you, homeboy.
Nov.29 at 4:03 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
No way a slight to Mr. Omar as his writing was one of my favorite stops on SLAMonline. I loved his music reviews and I want more of them. Now, I wish we could find a way to listen to the real Omar unedited!
Nov.29 at 4:38 pm
Ben Osborne says:
O is too real for Nike.
Nov.29 at 5:25 pm
donots says:
What about that cheesy Theme, couldn`t they afford some actual music?
Nov.29 at 7:00 pm
snyper48 says:
We need more O.eboy whats up with JDub, it seems like Riles will try to trade him for a can of tuna
Nov.30 at 1:45 am
Russ Bengtson says:
O is too real for the universe.
Nov.30 at 5:44 pm
Daniel says:
Where are da KOBE SHOES!!!