| « Short Hops: Fire Get A New Kit Sponsor, Chiditarod Registration, High School Hoops! | This is the Last Thing Kenny Williams Needed » |
Bulls Wed Jan 18 2012
adidas Debuts New Derrick Rose 2.5's / Bulls Slaughter Phoenix
Die Marke mit den Drei Streifen has dropped the latest Derrick Rose ad/self-review of adidas' adiZero Rose 2.5 on the YouTubes. More than anything I really like these ads because they force Derrick to talk to the camera. He stumbling and umm'ing his way through the spot is priceless and showcases, in a non-judging sense, his goofy demeanor. This is humanizing stuff for the NBA's reigning MVP who, heretofore, has been showcased as a high-flying, slicing, dicing, on-court impresario that off the hardwood has shown to be (save for the awesome "Caviar Swimming Pool" spot from last season and the Skittles fetish) a bit wooden or cardboard.
In any case, yes, the kicks are dope (particularly the all-whites) and are probably this fella's second favorite Rose shoe --naturally, the 2011 ASG-edition adiZero is number one. Per usual with Derrick and adidas, Rose's Chicago neighborhood, Englewood, is shouted-out in a subtle nod on the fronts.
The ads are a kitschy take on "meta" notions of Rose reviewing the shoe for us, the audience, with plenty of "organic" appeal and vibe (he's at his home, his friends are playing ping pong!) without being too forced. A nice new approach for adidas and its NBA fleet of stars (Monsieurs Josh Smith and Dwight Howard are with the company too.) It ain't no "Kobe System" but the past few seasons I've been more and more impressed with 3 Stripes ads. The Freedarko Dwight and D. Rose ads in 2009, the "Asian dude from The Hangover" ads from last season and now this one. I'm diggin' it.
In Actual Basketball News...*
The Bulls took down the visiting Phoenix Suns (with gusto!) last night. Carlos Boozer contributed a game-high 31 points, while Joakim Noah dropped 13 points and 12 rebounds. The game's outcome was never much in doubt as the Bulls led throughout and Chicago rebounded nicely after the MLK Day loss at Memphis. adidas spokesperson, Derrick Rose, sat out again with what's being described as turf toe. Feel better, Derrick Rose. The Bulls play again on Friday night in Cleveland, which means this is the team's only multi-day break in between games until the All-Star Break in late February, so, yeah, "Feel better, Derrick Rose," indeed.
*Spoiler alert: I wasn't feeling the PHX-CHI tilt at the United Center last night. I was really enjoying the Warriors-Cavaliers game and the bloodletting that was the LeBrons running through San Antonio. Honestly, these two teams, Cleveland and the Dub-State Warriors, need to play the T-Wolves on a Y-shaped court to determine the most awesome of the not-so-hot teams. Chinese checker metaphors be damned!, that'd be some entertainment for your buck, kids. But, yeah, I'll try to watch more Bulls games and give more "insight" for you the audience. Still, new adidas shoes and Kyrie Irving is awesome.
