Akron OH is the least likely of places to launch a new basketball sneaker unless you went to St. Vincent / St. Mary’s. Like many of these trips, the expectation is to get crammed with messaging from the brand side about new product. In the case of the new Lebron VII, Nike focused on people and community of Akron, OH who helped shaped the guy into arguably the best basketball player in the NBA today.

The Ed Davis Community Center was host to a small number of media outlets from across the US, South America, and Europe. There is nothing outstanding about the Ed Davis Center. The center, for lack of a better term, is plain. Situated on a back road in a suburban corner of the city, it serves a strong role in Akron’s youth community. Basketball’s role is one that has been elevated since Lebron and the “Fab 5″ made their trek to success after winning the National Title in 2003 but the real story is the community.

Make no mistake about it – there was no grand change of beauty made to Akron. What we all saw was the Akron of today, where people live, work, play, and continue to do their thing. There was no shiny wrapper put on the city. We experienced it for what it is – a living breathing view into the people of the Akron – who are not that different from you nor I.

Below is a look from my camera at the weekend. I’ll be writing more for Highsnobiety later in the week as will Beau on his Selectism Column. Many thanks of course to Lebron James (who ran my ass on the court with no mercy), Deme, Keywan, Simon, Dean, and whole crew at Nike for hosting, as well as the cities of Akron and Cleveland.

I left my laptop bag at home, so I resorted to a Marriot Hotel laundro baggie to carry the book.

Part of the Lebron history buildout. This quote stuck with me.

Stole this photo op from Simon. Nice call.

Moving onto the main event…

Allen doing what he does best, while Karen works a toy.

You have to imagine that the room is an indoor basketball court, ok?

Lebron takes questions from the US press. No holds bar really. Everything from his new contract, Dunkgate, the Lebron VII…

Then shit got crazy….

We walked into STVM’s and were immediately sent into the locker room.

It was about to get serious.

Coach Dru (who coached Lebron during travel ball and highschool) enters the lockroom, gives us a pep talk and tells us to get on the court. Now, seeing as most cameras were not allowed on the court, I will leave you with these…

Shout out to Matthias. Jay Z. loves you.

Look for a full write-up on Highsnobiety shortly….

I spent last week in Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of Stefan Janoski’s signature shoe for Nike SB. New friends and old were in attendance. Many thanks to the SB team for the hospitality, Stefan, James, Kevin, and Mr. Leon for the access, and Blake for driving me around all week.

What’s got Bradley making funny faces?

I think this shit. More on that soon!

Back in 2001, two days before I started working a new gig, I was up at Sunday River riding my usual early morning Sunday run on White Cap, when things got very fucked up. I was cutting (not carving – White Cap runs were bulletproof that morning) on my front side edge into what I knew to be a low slope.

What I did not know was that the slope had sunk into a wall overnight. I ended falling while crushing and bouncing off the run a good five times before getting enough grip to flatten and pull myself together. 

It was easily the worst fall I have taken on a mountain before or since. For as much airtime as I did get bouncing down, I only ended up with some serious bruises to my chest, ribs, and left thigh. I was pretty battered but walked away with nothing more than some healing and a shelved season.

The girl behind me, following my run, was no where near as lucky.

Since then, I have not been back on the mountain without a helmet, but I cannot say the same about riding my bikes in the city. For as bad as that crash was, I got into this crazy habit a few years ago of not riding with a helmet in the city.

I was reminded of how lucky I was to even be on a board or bicycle when my good friend Jimmy got battered terribly this past Fall in Harvard Square by a taxi driver talking on a mobile instead of checking his mirrors. Though his face and mouth took most of the impact, Jimmy in a not so direct way, was also able to walk away and ride again. 

For 2009, I plan to do my best to ride again with a helmet – on and off the snow.

Bern Helmets of Massachusetts, has removed all excuses by gifting me this past holiday with one of their “All Season”  Watts Helmet. It’s easily the best Christmas gift I received in 2008. The Watts is a great multi-sport helmet. The  winter liner and vent cover can be easily removed for the warmer seasons. It is also light enough to cycle in comfortably.

The 8-Track audio system,  available for most Bern Helmets, is a great feature for those looking for some music while on the slopes but keep it down or keep your eyes open, people.

When friends ask me if the whole fixed gear bike movement is a fad, I always respond that getting anyone to ride a bicycle is a good thing, as long as their safe first and cool second. If you want to crush it on the streets or slopes, at least toss on some protection. You may end up riding even harder.

Powder at Killington yesterday. Drove up with the boys. Some quick video of the looks. Too windy and wet too pull the Xacti out at the top. Bummer.

I got my first ride in of the season yesterday with Seth and Will. The three hour drive up to Sunday River in Maine was well worth it. Sure, there wasn’t that much natural powder but the good people at SR know how to blow snow. Many thanks to Seth for driving, Will for the lift tickets, and Tim for the new gear – it all went towards making my first day of the 2008/09 season one of the best starts.

Much love to Will who ripped his Telemark binding right out of the ski. Core and all. Everything is not lost brother.

We’ll do it again on Wednesday.

(photos by Seth)

I viewed the NYC Marathon from the Brooklyn side for the first time. The scene is nothing like the Boston Marathon which draws as many runners and fans. The Brooklyn portion of the marathon reminds me of the crowds at a European cycling event, with the addition of live bands and drummers on just about every corner running the length of Bedford. Add in a superb sunny day and the view was killer.

Allen and David taking in the sights.

Finish it off with some brunch at Jimmy’s.

Red Sox Playoff tickets at 5p for a 830p start is about as last minute as it gets, but that’s how it happens down here at Fenway Park. Peter made the call. I got the High Life’s, the Narragansett and the crew came over for the pre-game. But the magic was really inside of Fenway. The Sox pulled it out beating the Angels to win the ALDS. Next up is Tampa Bay.

We had two sets of tickets between the four of us. View one from Grandstand 17.

There is an “Irish Pub” inside of Fenway.

I looks a lot like a beer stand selling $7.75 drafts.

The view got a lot nicer in the 5th when two seats opened up next Peter and Ian.

One for the ages. This is the aftermath of a once in a lifetime event. Big P eyes the fly ball coming at him and the man bounces it off his hand. Note Ian’s reenactment of the event. Beer everywhere and the lopper ends up in the hands of a girl four rows in front of us. The story will always be better because he did not catch it.

2-2. A bit hectic coming into the final stretch.

They take it in the 9th. Sox win.

The best fans in baseball.

I’ve never watched a game from the Green Monster. One hell of a view. Home run balls all day.