Last week in New York City, our friends at Under Armour held an exclusive event to preview their new campaign, and to see the latest collection of UA Basketball footwear and apparel. But before the festivities began, I got the chance to catch up with Brandon Jennings and Derrick Williams and talk about everything from kicks to the NBA lockout.
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Dime: What was it like being the first player to sign with UA Basketball?
Brandon Jennings: Aw man, it was a great feeling. I think that the fact that I was actually signed with the company, and I knew I was gonna have my own shoe one day, was like a dream come true.
Dime: What attracted you to the brand?
BJ: I think that it was something new, unique and different. I think that with me going overseas, it made it a really easy decision.
Dime: Tell me about the Micro G Bloodline.
BJ: The Bloodline actually represents my family and everywhere I’ve been.
Dime: Did you help in the design process?
BJ: I was an intern for Under Armour for three months, so I’ve been down there helping design a lot of shoes and giving my imput and ideas.
Dime: Will there be any special releases or colorways to hit retail?
BJ: Yeah, that would have to be up to me though. That’s if I want it to be out there. There’s a lot of different colorways. We got the 106 & Park joints, those lime green and red joints, just to name a few. Right now, those are all just player editions, but maybe when the Bloodline releases we’ll try to put some player editions out in limited quantities and see how they do.
Dime: What do you think about the new additions to the team in Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams?
BJ: I think they’re great. You know, being able for us to sign them, that really helps us out a lot and just shows that there’s other players out there that believe in Under Armour. I think that’s really gonna help take our brand to the top.
Dime: What was the most exciting game you’ve played in since the lockout started?
BJ: I’d have to say the game at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. Me and Kevin Durant got to play there together, and also at Dyckman. I had a great time up there as well.
Dime: Some footage of you and Josh Selby going at it hit the ‘net this summer. Tell me a little about that battle you guys had.
BJ: Well, actually, it wasn’t really a battle to me. For me, I only see it as fun. I don’t want everybody to think that there’s some heated battle going on with me and Josh Selby. You know, it’s nothing like that at all. We were just out there having fun and putting on a good show for the fans.
Dime: What attracted you to sign with Under Armour?
Derrick Williams: Just the progression that they have had each and every year. Especially on the basketball side of it. The shoes they have on the way next year really impressed me.
Dime: What do you admire most about the brand?
DW: They’re very personal. They cater to you personally and ask for your input on a lot of stuff. They’re always asking us what we want in a shoe, what we look for as far as performance. Everything from the grip, from the color, what we want on the tongue, the design. They do their best to give us what we want, and I really appreciate it. Whatever we want is what were gonna get, and that’s really why we signed.
Dime: Tell me a little about the shoes they’re working on for you?
DW: I’m really big on low top shoes, so they’re really converting a lot of their shoes from Mids or Highs to Lows for me – just because that’s really what I like. That’s what they’re doing for me, and it’s something I really appreciate. They’re always looking out for my best interest.
Dime: Did you have a helping hand in designing the shoe?
DW: Yeah, everything from how low I want it to the design. Basically I could ask them for anything I wanted to be put on the shoe. That’s really what a lot of companies don’t offer. Everyone wants to be involved in a shoe that they’ll be playing in, and want to have input on it. I really feel like I gave a lot of input on mine, as well as the other three guys on their shoes too.
Dime: What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during the lockout?
DW: Playing a lot of pickup. A lot of working out, doing a lot of different stuff like yoga and new stuff like that. You always want to try to keep doing different things. You never want to get bored doing the same thing over and over. So I’ve just been trying to keep myself entertained working out differently, and just trying to stay in shape overall.
Dime: What do you think you can bring to the Timberwolves?
DW: Hopefully I can bring more Ws. Everybody wants to win. I know if we can just focus on winning the stats will come later.
Dime: How do you feel about the hiring of Coach Rick Adelman?
DW: He’s a great coach. From Portland to Sacramento and with the Rockets this past season, he’s done a great job everywhere he’s been. I’ve heard a lot of great things about him, so I look forward to playing for him.
Dime: Have you gotten the opportunity to play with any of your teammates yet?
DW: Yeah, I’ve gotten to play with K-Love, Wes Johnson, Mike Beasley, Rubio, and Lazar Hayward. I’ve gotten to play and work out with them. I think that’s really the whole point of becoming a better team. Even with the lockout, you can still play, workout and have a relationship with your teammates. I think we’re building chemistry, and that’s gonna help us going forward.
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