[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

DONT LOOK Bad at all. But for $500 I wouldn’t do it.  But I love the way they are going. Building their own brand. It’s great. 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I agree that the shoes don’t look bad.  Nobody in their right mind would pay 500 dollars for those.  That price for basketball shoes is absolutely insane.  I don’t think anybody would pay 500 dollars for shoes not licensed by under armour, nike or adidas, all of which turned down Lavar Ball.  They are selling Big Baller Brand t-shirts and sweatshirts for 50 and 70 dollars which is ridiculous.  Lavar Ball is an idiot and I hope nobody would ever spend money on those things to encourage this loud mouth to talk even more crap.  It’s common sense to price your items at a more reasonable price so people can actually afford them.  

[ChrispyParticipant]

 I feel like a terrible person , but a large part of me wants Lonzo to bust. Not because I don’t like him or think he isn’t a very good player, but because I so intensely dislike his father. I know this is wrong, byt man… F*ck that guy. What an a$$. Walmart level kicks for 500 bucks? 220 bucks for slippers?  This dude is beyond the pale. Lonzo is going to get murdered in NBA by guys looking to take him down a few pegs. He laready cost Lonzo millions in endorsements and may be enough of nuisance that he slips a few spots. Unreal.

[BleedGreen808Participant]

The shoe looks better than I expected but I don’t get the price.  At $495 the shoe is 2-3 times more than signature shoes of NBA superstars like Lebron, KD, Steph, etc.  

[DolanCareParticipant]

 It’s building a brand. It’s also selling a collectors item. Assuming the Ball family can stick in the NBA, these first edition Ball sneakers will be insanely valuable because only a handful of people will own them…. after all, they are $500. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

My guess is they have to charge that much to make a profit. Can’t be cheap to produce all this gear when you don’t have some 10 year old chinease kid making all your stuff.

All in all I love it. This is what America is all about.  

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Wrong, Lavar is consciously marking the price up to create subconscious value in consumers for his kids brand.. Marketing 101.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

[machu46Participant]

There’s no way that he needs to charge $495 to get even a slim margin, but I do agree that his cost to produce is probably much greater than Nike, UA, or Adidas shoes, and I imagine that’s a major factor in the pricing. He’s probably trying to get the same margins as the big boys while his costs are significantly higher.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 Didnt Nike say that Lavar Ball was the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last 100 years?

i hope this kid does fail, and his whole family pulls an O’Doyle.. pride before the fall.. they want 500-1200 dollars for a pair of shoes when he hasnt played a single minute in the NBA? what a complete joke.

 

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

The shoes don’t look bad, but they look like they just mixed together some Kobes and Js. The only real original thing about them is the ZO2 logo which isn’t that bad, but good luck making that BBB logo into something on the level of the Nike check or Adidas logo

[bigtymer32Participant]

 the shoes aren’t horrible but way over priced.it’s like the amount of some peoples rent.

[MopgrassParticipant]

 The dad is terrible, but I’m impressed how quickly they got something to market. That’s impressive. I wonder if it falls apart as you try it on. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I dont see what the big deal is. Its a bit overpriced but $4.95 isnt that bad. I personally think you should all get a new pair of Balls. 

[MatosParticipant]

 $4.95 isn’t bad at all. These look like CP3’s and Kobe’s combined and featured at K-Mart.

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Bought 3 pairs of BIG BALLERS for me and my two sons!I can afford, im a true BIG BALLER, we look fresh to def!

[OhCanada-Participant]

$500 for sneakers that are used for running. Wear and tear. A true baller will destroy those shoes in 2 months. 

Shoes are Laker yellow and black. 

Way better ways to sell the product based on price alone. Couldve started by selling the first x amount at $150 as ab "opening sale", then increase to say $250 until the draft, then when people start wearing them and Balls hype increase after the draft/during Summer league boost it to $495.

Cant wear these shoes in the hood, youll get robbed for sure. 

 

 

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

By jacking up the price, Lavar is trying to show that Lonzo is ‘better’ than Jordan, Kobe, LeBron etc. In theory, people pay the most for the best product. He’s trying to artificially provide the illusion of quality by making them more expensive than the others. I personally hope no one buys them and that whole business venture crashes and burns.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

" If you can’t afford the ZO2s you’re not a big baller! ($ bag emoji)"

Does this guy ever not speak out of his A$$?? I’m sure most people can affor to spend 500 on luxury items whether it be shoes, TVs trips whatever but his attitude and ignorance are the things most everybody is going to support especially when these things don’t even look that good. People on here seem to not mind them but they look like a high end AND1 ripoff of a Kobe to me.

I’m with Chrispy though inside im sort of rooting for all the Balls to fail. And I don’t really feel bad about it, Alonzo will get his fair shot at being successful and will sign a rookie deal for several millions so kind of hard to feel too bad even if he fizzles out

Lavar Ball represents everything that is wrong with modern America. Greed, entitlement, racism, narcissism defined.

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 I want Lonzo to fail and I don’t feel bad about it.  His dad is a punk and he is complicit in that fact.  If you are loud and boisterous, all about the money and fame, you will probably fail because at your core you know you are a fraud.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 They have to sell like 50 000 z shoes to make the amount of money Nike, adidas etc would have gave them. I dont even know why I said them I should say Lonzo.The money they wouldve given Lonzo.

He pretty much has to be a superstar to sell his product. How does that effect his team when he gets drafted. Now unless he is a 10 time allstar, all NBA, MVP Candidate,  Top 3 PG type player his career is a bust because so far they are in a huge hole revenue wise. 

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

 That’s the other thing.. ias an example f he signs with Nike and he gets 50 million $ deal, that’s all his (obviously minus taxes and whatnot) but if Big Baller Brand  manages to have 50 mill in sales  how much of that is actually going to Lonzo after you factor in cost to produce, shipping, marketing, other investors(?), Lavars cut, which one can only assume would be massive. BBB would have to blow up in an amazing way for it to financially make sense. 

Seems like an awfully gracious thing of Lonzo to do to help daddy live his dream. Looks backwards to me.. This is destined to be a great 30 for 30 series in twenty years!

[llperez]

 im curious to see how they do. But obviously im not touching those things. Worst part about it is that if kids do wear these things, they will be a mark for getting robbed and shot by thugs. We already see that with sneakers. Thats not to blame the ball’s for that but its one of the crappy potential things about this. I might get me a shirt though, to show my support for lonzo. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 lol I copped the Trucker Hat. 

[FritzParticipant]

 Anyone that gives a dime to this a$$ hat is an a$$hat themselves. Why would you support this guy? You are validating all of his crazy antics and we will never get this clown out of the media. Surely you can spend your money in better ways then buying ugly overpriced gear. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

I like lavar ball and his kids game. I will spend my money however i want. Your poor a$$ can stick to that 1 ply sand paper toilet paper while i got that 2 ply charmin breh

[nill650Participant]

 it’s exactly that kind of arrogance that puts the wallstreet banker on skidrow

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’m not a materialistic person, so I’d never spend that much on shoes… But I’m interested to see how well they sell.

To each is own, but I love what the Ball family is doing. I hope they succeed at this.

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

 They are out of my price range but you wonder if it is better to start off high and go down than to start low and go high.  People generally get upset if they have to pay more but if they feel like they are getting a deal than they may feel a different.

 

I hope Lonzo plays well and I support ownership but right now I won’t support the shoes but maybe the shirts.

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Lavar is literally doing what Kayne West has done to build his brand, Matter of fact just stole the whole thing and is copying it.. Saying outlandish things, calling out other celebs etc etc..

Kanye built the Yeezy brand as a high fashion sneaker..Lavar is doing the same thing.

Some of you are too blind to see the big picture, If Lonzo goes to the Lakers his dad can build that high fashion shoe with the hollywood appeal. Hes framing and setting up everything masterfully.. the fact he has us talking about it is evidence alone during the playoffs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 How great it would be if Utah,  Memphis,  Milwaukee, etc. (Small Market,  promotion resistant cities) traded up for him.  

[Robb_CParticipant]

Adam Silver isnt that stupid, Lavar has created a big storm and Lonzos first game will be huge.. 

 

Lonzo Ball to the Lakers, any other way and Adam Silver loses all this publicity..

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Magic says this is correct.

[Dev44Participant]

 I completely understand what Lavar is doing. Cutting the middle man out and selling directly to the customer. Having already creating a buzz that allows him and his son to be on every big time platform, this cuts out spending money on advertising, while in a sense getting paid for appearances to show off the brand. Seeing how Lonzo will be a top 3 pick, the extra push, by default, will be from the NBA and whatever team that drafts him. This could be that push they’ve been waiting for that could send the stocks in they’re brand through the roof. Still, 495 for some Zo’s sounds crazy but in reality I get the marking scheme behind it. God bless that family and I wish them nothing but continued success. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I just ordered a pair of Starburys to protest.

[llperez]

You sound poor

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I’ll believe LaVar is a marketing wiz when he puts the logo on the side of his dome like Steph did.

[Dev44Participant]

 Just read something that said nearly 5,000 pairs have sold! 

[machu46Participant]

Yeah, this was a rumor that Lavar floated out there I believe, but it’s already been proven false.

[Dev44Participant]

 Damn every time I try to give this man some points he just messes it up…

[MatosParticipant]

 In the future (20-30 years from now) All the big stars will have their own brand. I truely believe that is the direction we are going. The thing here is that Lonzo doesn’t have the credibility to back this.

If LeBron or KD goes and does this, it makes sense. They’d be revolutionalizing the idea of starting your own brand as opposed to signing with a big brand like Nike, Adidas, or UA. But Lonzo quite possibly could be a bust for all we know. Nobdoy is spending $200 on an unproven player, let alone the actual pricetag. Because with this whole thing, from a consumer perspective, you’te paying based off the look of the sneaker and the success of the player. You can’t rely on the credibility of the company like Nike. Kids get their parents to buy them Jordans and Penny Hardaways when they have never even watched a live game of those guys playing. Thats becasue they’ve been told and seen highlights of players associated with the shoe proving that they’re great, and worst case senario (although this isnt the case here), even if the players are ass, Nike is credible, which alone kind of sells the shoe. Aesthetic of the shoe comes behind that in these kids minds.

Lonzo’s shoes:

A) Lonzo is not a proven great player in the NBA

B) Nike isn’t backing the shoe and Lonzo is unproven so theirs no brand to fall back on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

[raybeasParticipant]

Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to mark up your $500 shoes. My bad, baller.

[nill650Participant]

 so how much are the shoes going to cost in a few seasons when he proves to be a legit all star? 3k? 

Maybe the hitch in his shot and the lack of a pick and roll game have Lavar convinced the only way to profit off his son is hype and over priced merch.

Despite the elite court vision being all he needs to be successfull at the next level all I see beyond that is hype until he is in the league and proves it twice over. Right now there exists a potential downward spiral in the footsteps of Kendall Marshall with an ugly jumper instead of no jumper.

I wouldn’t give a worn out dime for a pair of Ball kicks before the proof of thier residual value exists.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I kind of liked the Ball kid up to this point. Too bad he just said he rides for the wealthy to hell with middle class or poor. Basketball does not have likable stars. Kid blocks out everyone who is not wealthy from his sneakers.

[BleedingBlueParticipant]

 Serious question: Is Lonzo actually gonna play in those shoes? I haven’t read anything regarding the technological aspects of those shoes. If Lonzo plays in just a pair of plain sneakers his career could be considerably shortened. But on the other hand if they use any of the proprietary technologies like Zoom Air and Boost the company will be in big trouble. 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Developed foot issues playing in crappy France brand shoes. It is possible, but at the same time those shoes might work just fine and developed correctly. People will know in a few weeks when customers start playing in them.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 Anyone who is hating on this, needs to take a reality check, buy a globe, and realize they live in the United States of America. The Capitalistic sociaty of the world. I don’t like Lavar, but I 100% respect Lonzo for respecting and supporting his family, he seems like a nice kid who works hard, and the people who want to see him fail because of something like this need to ease up a little big. You’re wishing negative things upon someone for the actions of another. That’s petty. 

Personally I think the 500$ price is absolutely ridiculous, but then I remidnd myself, well, this probably isn’t marketed for me. Same with carrs. Would I like a Lambo? Sure, but why would I want to buy one when my Honda civic does the job already. If people want to buy them, good for them, im glad there are people out there who have the ability to buy this unlike me who has to worry about my car payment. I don’t even want a pair, so who cares? Am I really going to get upset over something i probably wouldnt even care about anyway? NO!

I LOVE the idea of cutting out the middle man. Maybe some of you guys are too young to remember, but Nike isn’t exactly a brand for the people, and pretty much used slave labor to launch their product. Idk how these shoes are being made, but I’m not going to talk smack on a man who’s trying to make a business out of something. Whether you like it or not, it’s not written in stone that everyone has to sign with the major shoe companies. Will this shoe take off? No, the big business will see to that, but I still respect the fact that these guys are trying to do things their way instead of doing what everyone tells them to do. 

I want Lonzo on the Celtics BTW 

 

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

A lambo can go 220 mph and a honda civic can do 120mph. Lonzos shoes do not make any difference over $65 shoes.

He should of just priced them at$120 and called it a day.

  

[mgreener_34Participant]

 

And yet it’s illigal to drive 220 mph in every state in this country except in certain monitored situations lol What you are buying isn’t the horse power, the make, or the model. What you are buying is the right for people on the street to see you and say "Hey that guy has a lambo, he’s super rich!" This analogy is actually extremely relatable, considering the same exact mindset is embedded in shoes and sneakerhead culture. 

Everyone here has heard of people getting jumped for sneakers. Everyone here has heard the racist/stereotypical montra of "poor people in the hood" who somehow can afford a pair of Jordans, and look fresh. Why? Because they want to give off the impression that they aren’t poor. They want girls to think they have deep pockets, and they want people to think they’re better off than they really are. 

This is something that has actually been studied very heavily, and is talked about in psychology/social sciences classrooms all over the world. 

This is also something that marketers and businessmen all over the world have taken advantage of since the dawn of time. While I would like to see Ball go a different route, I’m not going to hate on him for taking advantage of an opportunity. 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 just got rid of it last year. It was a POS, but it was MY POS.

[nill650Participant]

unless your’e Benj and your’e Bellin making niro’s like a Felon than the kicks that Ball is frontin are nothing more than noise

You are correct the world is full of b.s. marketing scams heavy on the B.S.

[nill650Participant]

 Interesting story , and with a top 3 pick you have to begin wearing the rosey goggles at some point about 1 of these top prospects.

But I would be ashamed of any fellow fan dismissing what I.T. has done in Boston,as if the Ballwagon your’e on somehow elevates you or scratches the surface of Lebron court vision,which is unattainable as a rookie.

Ball and his Idiot Father are all about hype and $. 

The reality you are claiming needs checked in is not actual in the corperate world. It’s b.s. claims trying to make profits off of b.s. believers.That is not a product of America,it’s the result of a endless internet soapbox.

Until the man proves himself at the next level,there is no reality worth buying into and certainly not overpaying for. 

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 All of these guys are about the hype and money. Why do you think they do endorsements even after they sign their 100$ million dollar contract? Why do you think places like LA, Miami, and NY are highly sought after destinations across all the major sports? 

Also, I’m not exactly belittling IT here. Saying I want a 6’6 PG on my team that has a 5’8 pg starting pg and 6′ starting SG is not heresy. It’s logic. Smart is gone. Done, good bye. He is not worth the 15+ mil someone is going to throw at him, and even more so when we can draft his replacement this year. Ball would come in from day 1 and be able to play with IT and AB, and would give our team size at 2 positions that we desperately need size at. I also think he would be the best fit for Stevens system with his ability to see the floor, pass the rock, and shoot the 3. 

Combine all of that with the fact that he’s clearly, imo, the most NBA ready prospect in the draft, and adding him to a team that just won 50+ game, that is huge. I’d prefer my #1 pick to play more than 10 minutes a game if that’s okay. 

I do understand what you’re saying, and I agree 100%, truly. but is is corporate America I’m mad at. They are the ones that make something like this okay, and why it’s really not a big deal. That donut you paid $1 for this morning cost Dunkin donuts less than 10 cents to make. Is that fair? no, but as a society we do absolutely nothing to stop that, and until we do, guys like LaVar ball have every right to make the most out of their brand. 

 

 

 

[nill650Participant]

 If Lonzo was a proven 2 yrs in nba player I wouldn’t be shocked with Lavar marketing his shoes overpriced to see how many suckers He could profit off of. But to assume he can get that revenue off an unproven commoditiy , proves he overvalues his son’s game. Granted he is projected as a future superstar, but he has no pick&roll game at all,takes plays off and doesn’t always play defense.

Boston should consider drafting Ball ahead of Jackson since they just drafted Brown last year, but not ahead of Fultz who has a much higher floor and just as high of a ceiling.

as far as need and putting ultimate fit into high consideration; Zack Collins or Malik Monk make more sense for that roster as constructed going forward than anyone not named Ball or Fultz who they would be highly unlikely to pass on.

[HitsterParticipant]

 How does Lavar think he can create his own brand and make money on it. If there was better money to be made launching your own sneakers independently then don’t you think that some top players would have done it by now.

[Robb_CParticipant]

Papa Ball is promoting the shoe not Lonzo, athletes cant do this type of "guerrilla" marketing without jeopardizing their brand.. Lonzo has Lavar to attract all the negative attention onto but still get great publicity..

 

 

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

500 bucks for a sneaker with no following. the GOAT Jordan can barely get that for limited edition sneaks.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Good point by MarkFitz14 a legend like MJ releasing a signed limited edition range of one of his classic shoes then $500 fair enough. A collector’s item whose value will hold up but a guy who hasn’t been drafted yet come on!

[BeastMode716Participant]

 But from a Business perspective what he has already accomplished is pretty remarkable even if he never sells a single pair of shoes.

Hear me out.

Just imagine if a friend told he had a business idea & that his goal was to Compete head to head with the Billion Dollar Sneak Industry. Furthermore, he claimed he would do this with ZERO $$$$’s – No relationship w/ a Financial Institution such as a Bank & no relationship with Any VC’s (Venture Capitalists like you see on the show "Shark Tank"). 

So his Business plan is build a brand using Social Media a Top College Ball player & nothing more. 

My first question would be Ok I don’t believe you have a snowball’s chance in hell of even getting this off the ground but let’s say you create Enormous Buzz & the Brand becomes well know – Then What??? How are you going to PHYSICALLY Produce these Shoes with No $$$??? 

And he responds my Sales Target is the 13 to 30 something Male NBA fan. This is the Market share that Nike, Adidas, Under Armour OWN – right??? 

And I would respond YES – so what is your point you have not ansswered my question.

And he answers my question with Another question & Lavart Balls asks me "Beast what are 16 y/o kids BUYING from Nike???

And I respond "Sneakers – specifically Jordans"

And Lavar responds "No You are WRONG. These kids & young adults are NOT buying Sneakers"….. 

"Beast WHAT is Michael Jordan & Nike selling to these kids & yuoung adults???"

And again I respond "Sneakers< Nike pays Michael Jordan a Fortune to Sell Sneakers…."

And Lavar responds "WRONG Again!" & he continues: "Michael Jordan is NOT selling sneakers. Nike is SELLING Michael Jordan. And THAT is what these kids are spening $200 to purchase – a little piece odf Michael Jordan. The Sneakers are just the vehicle by which Nike gives you a piece Michael Jordan & that matters b/c Michael Jordan is a SYMBOL, he represents something tangible to young males. He represents Greatness, Freedom, Escape, a Lavish Lifestyle. When a 16 y/o kid wears a pair of Joirdans or Lebrons or Kobe or Allen Iverson sneakers he is making a statement to the WORLD that this is what he is ABOUT.

If Michael Jordan switched brands to Under Armour or Adidas. You think kids would say, hell to the no, I like these Nikes beter!?!?!?! Of course not. It has Never been about the Sneakers. It’s about the man WEARING the Sneakers. That kid or young adult is making a statement to the World & that statement is Jordan is On MY team & the ONLY people on this team are WINNERS & by association that’s what I am – a Winner!

So think about it. I’m not sure how many people have seen Lonzo Ball’s OZ2 shoe commercial produced by SLAM on instagram, YouTube, & so on. But they SHOW the Sneaker but they do NOT talk about the shoe. Lonzo Ball tells a STORY – a NARRATIVE. And just like owning Jordan or Kobe or Iverson or Shaq’s sneaker tells a Story about who you ARE & what you REPRESENT so is the Lonzo Ball’s shoe & the story the Big Baller Brand is telling is this:

"We are about Changing the Culture. We REPRESENT our SELVES, or families & our communities. Why should Nike or Adidas OWN us anymore when we are the PRODUCT. This is NOT about a Sneaker or even Lonzo – this is about a REVOLUTION. 

Now imagine you are a 13 y/o kid who Luvs basketball & Idolizes the Star players at the college & pro level & these 3 young Ball brothers say we are taking over the Sneaker industry & we are going to keep all the money in our own communities & we are now going to allow these Super Rich Sneaker Corporations to OWN us & then give us a small cut of the porifts. We’re KEEPING it all b/c WE earned it. 

And then imagine ALL day long one 40 to 60 y/o on espn or the internet & the TV comes out & says "We can’t stand the Balls & this idea is Stupid & I don’t want anything to do with this! Lavar Ball is a Genius b/c EVERY young Male goes thru a Rebellious faze & when they find out that the Status Quo, Authority Figues HATE something & that that something UPSETS adults then Every single One of those young males is going to WANT one of those WHATEVER it is b/c it produces a Negative Emotional reaction from Every adult.

THAT is what these kids are BUYING – These OZ2’s are a Giant Middle Finger

And making people PRe-Order w/ a warning "no refunds or exchanges" w/ a 6 month WAIT allows the family to know the EXACT number of orders so there is Never any pressure to drop the price & lower the value & they are using the CUSTOMER"S money to Produce the Product (sneakers, slides, whatever) & b/c of these factors the Balls have created the single most Important Economic factor in Valuation & that is SCARCITY. In other words, the fewer there is of Something the More Valuable it becomes. 

So everytime some 45 y/o Ex Athlete, or talking head sports catser says how much they Hate Ball & how "stupid" the idea is the Big Baller Brand receives Millions upon Millions or dollars in FREE advertising.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 But from a Business perspective what he has already accomplished is pretty remarkable even if he never sells a single pair of shoes.

Hear me out.

Just imagine if a friend told he had a business idea & that his goal was to Compete head to head with the Billion Dollar Sneak Industry. Furthermore, he claimed he would do this with ZERO $$$$’s – No relationship w/ a Financial Institution such as a Bank & no relationship with Any VC’s (Venture Capitalists like you see on the show "Shark Tank"). 

So his Business plan is build a brand using Social Media a Top College Ball player & nothing more. 

My first question would be Ok I don’t believe you have a snowball’s chance in hell of even getting this off the ground but let’s say you create Enormous Buzz & the Brand becomes well know – Then What??? How are you going to PHYSICALLY Produce these Shoes with No $$$??? 

And he responds my Sales Target is the 13 to 30 something Male NBA fan. This is the Market share that Nike, Adidas, Under Armour OWN – right??? 

And I would respond YES – so what is your point you have not ansswered my question.

And he answers my question with Another question & Lavart Balls asks me "Beast what are 16 y/o kids BUYING from Nike???

And I respond "Sneakers – specifically Jordans"

And Lavar responds "No You are WRONG. These kids & young adults are NOT buying Sneakers"….. 

"Beast WHAT is Michael Jordan & Nike selling to these kids & yuoung adults???"

And again I respond "Sneakers< Nike pays Michael Jordan a Fortune to Sell Sneakers…."

And Lavar responds "WRONG Again!" & he continues: "Michael Jordan is NOT selling sneakers. Nike is SELLING Michael Jordan. And THAT is what these kids are spening $200 to purchase – a little piece odf Michael Jordan. The Sneakers are just the vehicle by which Nike gives you a piece Michael Jordan & that matters b/c Michael Jordan is a SYMBOL, he represents something tangible to young males. He represents Greatness, Freedom, Escape, a Lavish Lifestyle. When a 16 y/o kid wears a pair of Joirdans or Lebrons or Kobe or Allen Iverson sneakers he is making a statement to the WORLD that this is what he is ABOUT.

If Michael Jordan switched brands to Under Armour or Adidas. You think kids would say, hell to the no, I like these Nikes beter!?!?!?! Of course not. It has Never been about the Sneakers. It’s about the man WEARING the Sneakers. That kid or young adult is making a statement to the World & that statement is Jordan is On MY team & the ONLY people on this team are WINNERS & by association that’s what I am – a Winner!

So think about it. I’m not sure how many people have seen Lonzo Ball’s OZ2 shoe commercial produced by SLAM on instagram, YouTube, & so on. But they SHOW the Sneaker but they do NOT talk about the shoe. Lonzo Ball tells a STORY – a NARRATIVE. And just like owning Jordan or Kobe or Iverson or Shaq’s sneaker tells a Story about who you ARE & what you REPRESENT so is the Lonzo Ball’s shoe & the story the Big Baller Brand is telling is this:

"We are about Changing the Culture. We REPRESENT our SELVES, or families & our communities. Why should Nike or Adidas OWN us anymore when we are the PRODUCT. This is NOT about a Sneaker or even Lonzo – this is about a REVOLUTION. 

Now imagine you are a 13 y/o kid who Luvs basketball & Idolizes the Star players at the college & pro level & these 3 young Ball brothers say we are taking over the Sneaker industry & we are going to keep all the money in our own communities & we are now going to allow these Super Rich Sneaker Corporations to OWN us & then give us a small cut of the porifts. We’re KEEPING it all b/c WE earned it. 

And then imagine ALL day long one 40 to 60 y/o on espn or the internet & the TV comes out & says "We can’t stand the Balls & this idea is Stupid & I don’t want anything to do with this! Lavar Ball is a Genius b/c EVERY young Male goes thru a Rebellious faze & when they find out that the Status Quo, Authority Figues HATE something & that that something UPSETS adults then Every single One of those young males is going to WANT one of those WHATEVER it is b/c it produces a Negative Emotional reaction from Every adult.

THAT is what these kids are BUYING – These OZ2’s are a Giant Middle Finger

And making people PRe-Order w/ a warning "no refunds or exchanges" w/ a 6 month WAIT allows the family to know the EXACT number of orders so there is Never any pressure to drop the price & lower the value & they are using the CUSTOMER"S money to Produce the Product (sneakers, slides, whatever) & b/c of these factors the Balls have created the single most Important Economic factor in Valuation & that is SCARCITY. In other words, the fewer there is of Something the More Valuable it becomes. 

So everytime some 45 y/o Ex Athlete, or talking head sports catser says how much they Hate Ball & how "stupid" the idea is the Big Baller Brand receives Millions upon Millions or dollars in FREE advertising.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 But from a Business perspective what he has already accomplished is pretty remarkable even if he never sells a single pair of shoes.

Hear me out.

Just imagine if a friend told he had a business idea & that his goal was to Compete head to head with the Billion Dollar Sneak Industry. Furthermore, he claimed he would do this with ZERO $$$$’s – No relationship w/ a Financial Institution such as a Bank & no relationship with Any VC’s (Venture Capitalists like you see on the show "Shark Tank"). 

So his Business plan is build a brand using Social Media a Top College Ball player & nothing more. 

My first question would be Ok I don’t believe you have a snowball’s chance in hell of even getting this off the ground but let’s say you create Enormous Buzz & the Brand becomes well know – Then What??? How are you going to PHYSICALLY Produce these Shoes with No $$$??? 

And he responds my Sales Target is the 13 to 30 something Male NBA fan. This is the Market share that Nike, Adidas, Under Armour OWN – right??? 

And I would respond YES – so what is your point you have not ansswered my question.

And he answers my question with Another question & Lavart Balls asks me "Beast what are 16 y/o kids BUYING from Nike???

And I respond "Sneakers – specifically Jordans"

And Lavar responds "No You are WRONG. These kids & young adults are NOT buying Sneakers"….. 

"Beast WHAT is Michael Jordan & Nike selling to these kids & yuoung adults???"

And again I respond "Sneakers< Nike pays Michael Jordan a Fortune to Sell Sneakers…."

And Lavar responds "WRONG Again!" & he continues: "Michael Jordan is NOT selling sneakers. Nike is SELLING Michael Jordan. And THAT is what these kids are spening $200 to purchase – a little piece odf Michael Jordan. The Sneakers are just the vehicle by which Nike gives you a piece Michael Jordan & that matters b/c Michael Jordan is a SYMBOL, he represents something tangible to young males. He represents Greatness, Freedom, Escape, a Lavish Lifestyle. When a 16 y/o kid wears a pair of Joirdans or Lebrons or Kobe or Allen Iverson sneakers he is making a statement to the WORLD that this is what he is ABOUT.

If Michael Jordan switched brands to Under Armour or Adidas. You think kids would say, hell to the no, I like these Nikes beter!?!?!?! Of course not. It has Never been about the Sneakers. It’s about the man WEARING the Sneakers. That kid or young adult is making a statement to the World & that statement is Jordan is On MY team & the ONLY people on this team are WINNERS & by association that’s what I am – a Winner!

So think about it. I’m not sure how many people have seen Lonzo Ball’s OZ2 shoe commercial produced by SLAM on instagram, YouTube, & so on. But they SHOW the Sneaker but they do NOT talk about the shoe. Lonzo Ball tells a STORY – a NARRATIVE. And just like owning Jordan or Kobe or Iverson or Shaq’s sneaker tells a Story about who you ARE & what you REPRESENT so is the Lonzo Ball’s shoe & the story the Big Baller Brand is telling is this:

"We are about Changing the Culture. We REPRESENT our SELVES, or families & our communities. Why should Nike or Adidas OWN us anymore when we are the PRODUCT. This is NOT about a Sneaker or even Lonzo – this is about a REVOLUTION. 

Now imagine you are a 13 y/o kid who Luvs basketball & Idolizes the Star players at the college & pro level & these 3 young Ball brothers say we are taking over the Sneaker industry & we are going to keep all the money in our own communities & we are now going to allow these Super Rich Sneaker Corporations to OWN us & then give us a small cut of the porifts. We’re KEEPING it all b/c WE earned it. 

And then imagine ALL day long one 40 to 60 y/o on espn or the internet & the TV comes out & says "We can’t stand the Balls & this idea is Stupid & I don’t want anything to do with this! Lavar Ball is a Genius b/c EVERY young Male goes thru a Rebellious faze & when they find out that the Status Quo, Authority Figues HATE something & that that something UPSETS adults then Every single One of those young males is going to WANT one of those WHATEVER it is b/c it produces a Negative Emotional reaction from Every adult.

THAT is what these kids are BUYING – These OZ2’s are a Giant Middle Finger

And making people PRe-Order w/ a warning "no refunds or exchanges" w/ a 6 month WAIT allows the family to know the EXACT number of orders so there is Never any pressure to drop the price & lower the value & they are using the CUSTOMER"S money to Produce the Product (sneakers, slides, whatever) & b/c of these factors the Balls have created the single most Important Economic factor in Valuation & that is SCARCITY. In other words, the fewer there is of Something the More Valuable it becomes. 

So everytime some 45 y/o Ex Athlete, or talking head sports catser says how much they Hate Ball & how "stupid" the idea is the Big Baller Brand receives Millions upon Millions or dollars in FREE advertising.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 But from a Business perspective what he has already accomplished is pretty remarkable even if he never sells a single pair of shoes.

Hear me out.

Just imagine if a friend told he had a business idea & that his goal was to Compete head to head with the Billion Dollar Sneak Industry. Furthermore, he claimed he would do this with ZERO $$$$’s – No relationship w/ a Financial Institution such as a Bank & no relationship with Any VC’s (Venture Capitalists like you see on the show "Shark Tank"). 

So his Business plan is build a brand using Social Media a Top College Ball player & nothing more. 

My first question would be Ok I don’t believe you have a snowball’s chance in hell of even getting this off the ground but let’s say you create Enormous Buzz & the Brand becomes well know – Then What??? How are you going to PHYSICALLY Produce these Shoes with No $$$??? 

And he responds my Sales Target is the 13 to 30 something Male NBA fan. This is the Market share that Nike, Adidas, Under Armour OWN – right??? 

And I would respond YES – so what is your point you have not ansswered my question.

And he answers my question with Another question & Lavart Balls asks me "Beast what are 16 y/o kids BUYING from Nike???

And I respond "Sneakers – specifically Jordans"

And Lavar responds "No You are WRONG. These kids & young adults are NOT buying Sneakers"….. 

"Beast WHAT is Michael Jordan & Nike selling to these kids & yuoung adults???"

And again I respond "Sneakers< Nike pays Michael Jordan a Fortune to Sell Sneakers…."

And Lavar responds "WRONG Again!" & he continues: "Michael Jordan is NOT selling sneakers. Nike is SELLING Michael Jordan. And THAT is what these kids are spening $200 to purchase – a little piece odf Michael Jordan. The Sneakers are just the vehicle by which Nike gives you a piece Michael Jordan & that matters b/c Michael Jordan is a SYMBOL, he represents something tangible to young males. He represents Greatness, Freedom, Escape, a Lavish Lifestyle. When a 16 y/o kid wears a pair of Joirdans or Lebrons or Kobe or Allen Iverson sneakers he is making a statement to the WORLD that this is what he is ABOUT.

If Michael Jordan switched brands to Under Armour or Adidas. You think kids would say, hell to the no, I like these Nikes beter!?!?!?! Of course not. It has Never been about the Sneakers. It’s about the man WEARING the Sneakers. That kid or young adult is making a statement to the World & that statement is Jordan is On MY team & the ONLY people on this team are WINNERS & by association that’s what I am – a Winner!

So think about it. I’m not sure how many people have seen Lonzo Ball’s OZ2 shoe commercial produced by SLAM on instagram, YouTube, & so on. But they SHOW the Sneaker but they do NOT talk about the shoe. Lonzo Ball tells a STORY – a NARRATIVE. And just like owning Jordan or Kobe or Iverson or Shaq’s sneaker tells a Story about who you ARE & what you REPRESENT so is the Lonzo Ball’s shoe & the story the Big Baller Brand is telling is this:

"We are about Changing the Culture. We REPRESENT our SELVES, or families & our communities. Why should Nike or Adidas OWN us anymore when we are the PRODUCT. This is NOT about a Sneaker or even Lonzo – this is about a REVOLUTION. 

Now imagine you are a 13 y/o kid who Luvs basketball & Idolizes the Star players at the college & pro level & these 3 young Ball brothers say we are taking over the Sneaker industry & we are going to keep all the money in our own communities & we are now going to allow these Super Rich Sneaker Corporations to OWN us & then give us a small cut of the porifts. We’re KEEPING it all b/c WE earned it. 

And then imagine ALL day long one 40 to 60 y/o on espn or the internet & the TV comes out & says "We can’t stand the Balls & this idea is Stupid & I don’t want anything to do with this! Lavar Ball is a Genius b/c EVERY young Male goes thru a Rebellious faze & when they find out that the Status Quo, Authority Figues HATE something & that that something UPSETS adults then Every single One of those young males is going to WANT one of those WHATEVER it is b/c it produces a Negative Emotional reaction from Every adult.

THAT is what these kids are BUYING – These OZ2’s are a Giant Middle Finger

And making people PRe-Order w/ a warning "no refunds or exchanges" w/ a 6 month WAIT allows the family to know the EXACT number of orders so there is Never any pressure to drop the price & lower the value & they are using the CUSTOMER"S money to Produce the Product (sneakers, slides, whatever) & b/c of these factors the Balls have created the single most Important Economic factor in Valuation & that is SCARCITY. In other words, the fewer there is of Something the More Valuable it becomes. 

So everytime some 45 y/o Ex Athlete, or talking head sports catser says how much they Hate Ball & how "stupid" the idea is the Big Baller Brand receives Millions upon Millions or dollars in FREE advertising.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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