This piece was originally published in Dime #71. To see the feature in its entirety, check out the magazine on newsstands nationwide…

Julius Erving had a marketable nickname, incredible mid-air acrobatics and a flair for the dramatic. He was the first modern superstar. Even though he stopped dunking on centers’ heads 25 years ago, with his connection to the current NBA, it feels like Dr. J never really left. But now that the Philadelphia 76er legend is hooked on with the team as a Strategic Advisor, we can expect to see a whole lot more of the Doctor. Read More »

In the new issue of Dime Magazine, we took a look at the best – and worst – the game has offered since the turn of the century. From the players to jerseys to sneakers to teams to even trends, you can relive the past 12 years by scooping up the new issue currently on newsstands nationwide. In those pages, you’ll find the following feature… Read More »

This summer has played host to multiple, major awesome Converse events and block parties on the East Coast. Each one has featured tons of free food, t-shirts and giveaways, appearances from legends like Dr. J and live performances from artists like Stalley, The-Dream, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and many others.

And now it is L.A.’s turn. Read More »

While different Philly hip-hop acts had been rocking the stage at 52nd Street and Market Street all afternoon long on Saturday at the Converse Block Party, the place wasn’t really set on fire until a couple of old area legends came back through to show some love. As big a hip-hop fan as I am, it had been a minute since I had listened to some Beanie Sigel and Freeway. But the two Philadelphia icons – along with Young Chris – came through as Stalley’s special guests for Saturday’s free block party to celebrate local street culture, basketball, music, and art in conjunction with the launch of the newest Converse Pro Leather collection. Read More »

If you are at all influential in Philly’s street culture, you were at UBIQ Friday night to take in an invite-only party for the release of one of the industry’s most famous sneakers. Stalley hit the stage to perform, and DJ Young Guru laced the crowd all night with a lot of Jigga and State Property. Rappers Asher Roth, Chill Moody and Young Savage were in the house, as was boxer Henry Lundy. All well-known throughout the City of Brotherly Love, they all eventually took a backseat for Dr. J. Read More »

This past Saturday saw an all-day free party at the Banneker Community Center in Washington, D.C., compliments of Converse. As part of the World Basketball Festival‘s long weekend takeover, Converse zeroed in on the Banneker Community Center, located across the street from historic Howard University, to be the site for their massive WBF Blockparty based around their new Pro Leather WBF Collection.

After many months of planning, Converse let loose a full day of free basketball, food, art, and music performances from Stalley and The-Dream. Read More »

Technically, I spent my entire weekend working. But when you’re going to Team USA practice to catch the best players in the world in their element, attending Converse block parties to see The-Dream and Stalley perform and checking out 20 years worth of Nike and Jordan footwear design and technology, you can take it. This really wasn’t work. And the people at USA Basketball, Nike, Jordan and Converse didn’t want it to be. It was a celebration of the game, the Olympics and our men and women who will be going across the sea to represent us on the hardwood. Read More »

There was a time when Michael Jordan and Nike weren’t one and the same. Way back before MJ had an official sponsor, there were three major shoe brands: Nike, Converse and Adidas. Even though MJ has gone on to dominate the Nike Brand and become the single element to propel Nike atop the athletic gear charts, it might not have been. That’s right: MJ was leaning towards Converse or Adidas way back when, with Nike a distant third. Read More »

The World Basketball Festival has officially taken over Washington, D.C. Nike and USA Basketball have brought the 2012 Men’s and Women’s National Teams to D.C. for a four-day celebration of the performance and culture of the game.

WBF features the Nike family of brands – Converse, the Jordan Brand, and Nike Basketball – as well as elite youth players from around the world.

The piece of WBF that we’re most looking forward to is the Converse Block Party that goes off today. Read More »

Yesterday Jordan brand dropped its World Basketball Festival three-pack, incorporating the new and the old into its look for this summer’s international basketball. Today its cousin under the Nike umbrella, Converse, came out with its own styles to celebrate worldwide hoops. Hit the jump to check out the Pro Leather collection. Read More »