Hi my name is Nike SB, I skate for Eric Koston

If you thought P-rods shoes weren't pricey enough, imagine what a pair of Koston SB's would set you back. Since his departure from Lakai, rumors have been speculating as to where Koston will end up. My prediction was Vans. However, here he is textboarding (which I am pro at)with some of the Girl/Chocolate crew rockin some dunk hi's. Uh oh! We're talking about a company who have Kobe Bryant and Lebron James on their payroll. Power moves on the way. Anybody have a say on those Janoski's? I say go for it Frost!! Photo courtesy of Felix the cat.

Let the games begin!!

What a season! Here are my predictions for this years playoff brackets. In the western conference, I had a hard time determining who would win the semi finals between the Spurs and Denver(Please understand that I am the biggest Spurs hater on the west coast. However, I do believe that post season experience will defeat AI and Mellow this year. The Western finals will result in the classic west coast rivalry between Los Angeles and San Antonio.

The Eastern conference is where the wild things are. The absence of KG in Boston has helped me determine that Boston will not meet the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals. It's too bad, I was really looking forward to redemption. However, Oralando wiil prove to be a challenging feet for the Cavs as they will be stepping their post season game.

And lastly I must mention that the world champions will be no other then the purple and gold. Go Lakes!

Box Price $$$$

End are the days of paying MSRP "box price" for Nike. We all know that Nike sb saved the skateboard shops at a time when the industry was not doing all that great in the sales department (I will do an entry on that another time). Thank you Nike. However, that was a few years back and the popularity of Nike has grown tremendously throughout these few years. As I was browsing a few online shops, I couldn't help but notice the existing prices on Nike sb's. I mean, a couple years ago when Nike was pumping out some heavy ish might have been okay to put such a lavish price on the shoes out now, in this day and time in the middle of a recession? Not only that but when their design team isn't always there.
I personally have been fortunate enough to obtain mucho pairs of their earlier works without paying more than "box price" ($65) on such pairs such as the Diamonds, Heinekens, etc, etc. (Thank you, Nick H). With the prices that some shops are charging, I can't afford a pair of dunks nowadays. $80 for a GR pair of black and white dunks! For two weeks of skating?
My wish for Nike sb is to not forget what they did for skateboarding and not to taint this sub-culture, the industry and of course the skaters. We have accepted you with open arms into our world and are thankful for what you've done for local shops, but please don't stray from your objective to preserve skateboarding, its integrity and its future. As big as Nike is, a worldwide leader in sports aparel, footwear, etc. It is very difficult for the kid mowing the neighbors lawn to get a new deck and a pair of fresh kicks when you're charging what you're charging now. Imagine when you were a kid and you wanted a fresh pair of skate shoes and your parents replied, "Are you crazy, those are nearly a hundred bucks"!

Eric Koston Leaves Lakai.

Breaking news was the headline on the Lakai Footwear page as Eric Koston held a press conference announcing his departure from Lakai Limited Footwear. Reasons are still yet unclear, however we know that the relationship between Frost and Lakai are in good standing terms (company stake, hehehe). Rumors are flying around that he will land on the team in Cypress called Vans. Hmm, sounds kinda familiar? But those are just rumors. Let's just stay tuned to what power moves occur from the the guys at Girl. peace.

Battle of the Left Coast.

Yes, this is a Laker post. 2nd in the league two wins shy of first place Cleveland Cavs. The east coast rivalry to meet the Lakes in the finals is anybody's game. I'm super excited to see the east coast playoffs between Cleveland, Boston and Orlando. This is where all the action is going to take place. But right now I'm watching every game from here to the post season as every game will count. We want that home court advantage baby. Go Lakes! Bring it home.

Real Streetwear.

Okay, let me start off by saying that I hate the word "streetwear". What a ridiculous term to label your brand of clothing. What constitutes streetwear? A: I don't wanna name names but.... (Anything on karmaloop.com.)
Nobody from the streets are rocking clothing from any of these companies claiming to be street. And by people in the streets, I mean the people from the streets. The homeless, panhandlers, wanderers and skaliwags. I don't see homeboy off the 110 freeway asking for change rockin a [place streetwear brand here] tee? Damn! I know homeboy is not going to be spending $30 for a damn tee.Don't call your company a lifestyle company too cuz that doesn't make sense. What kind of lifestyle? Most of the kids rockin the clothing are middle to upper class kids that never really excelled in sports. Or girls I would think. (What is the younger generation up to these days?)
I'm not going to be hypocritical about this nor am I targeting any specific company. I own tons of skateboarding apparel associated with the "streets". I love the design process and admire the business side of it, I just don't like the labeling. I think that its a misconception and inappropriate for the actual majority of kids who buy it. You can't buy real streetwear online. Head over to Chinatown, Downtown LA, any Swapmeet in SoCal and you'll find the origins of streetwear. $5 stussy tee bootlegs, Anvil white tees, canvas belts, etc. And speaking of originators, this guy is a tastemaker. literally.

Doing Work

Sell out or not, if you're making moves to better the community and interest of skaters with the ever so dying existance of the skate spot, you're okay in my book (as cheesy as your new show is). Mr. Mtv does work with the opening of the Dyrdek Skate Plaza in Los Angeles California. Although not nearly the the size of the first plaza in his home state of Ohio, another street friendly skatepark never hurt any skater.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles (Approxmately off Wilshire and Alvarado), the park boast primarily real street spots (sorry, no mega ramps or 6 foot trannies). Check it out. Bottom line. Awesome. peace.

Cons SB

When I started skating in the early nineties I knew nothing about the industry. I never glanced at Thrasher or Transworld. I didn't know any pro's or even any skate shoe company exept for Vans and Airwalk. Many kids I saw skateboarding were rocking Converse One Stars. A vulcanized suede upper very suitable for skating but never really considered as a skate shoe. This shoe was both durable and reasonably priced at the time. Right off the bat I was introduced to Converse and skateboarding.

Over 15 years later, Skateboarding officially welcomes Converse. In 2008 Cons introduces the Cons skate team and the Cons Skate Shoes which includes the timeless Chuck Taylor Oxford Low model. A timeless classic.

The team consists of Anthony Pappalardo (who quit Lakai), Ethan Fowler, Sammy Baca, Raymond Molinar, and Nick Trapasso. Their website is fully loaded, very artsy, not too much and too little. Converseskateboarding.com. Really looking forward to what they have in store. Crossing my fingers that they don't F up like Nike in their first attempt at skateboarding. (I don't think Cons will make the same mistake).

If you're familiar with the progression of skateboarding and skate shoes throughout the years, you may have noticed the presence of the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star. Probably the most infamous of any sneaker ever produced. The most imitated shoe of all time and the oldest. Once again, welcome. I wish them the best and look forward to the future of skateboarding. Peace.

Fine Art Meets the Streets

If you're familiar with Supreme, you know that the collaborations they work on is nothing short of masterpieces. From street artists such as Kaws and Rammellzee to fine artist such as Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince, Supreme once again bridges the gap between fine art and street culture.

This time Supreme New York has unveiled another master collaboration with renowned Brtish Artist Damien Hirst in a series of 3 skateboard decks designed by Damien Hirsts' spin colour technique. Known for his unique style of art using formeldahyde to preserve animals in glass cases. This is a piece of art for fractions of the cost of a shark.

Thanks to Supreme for bridging this long gap between fine art and street.

Available at Supreme Shops April 2, 2009. Estimated price/deck: $80