Capitalism rules
Asked whether Nike was capitalizing on street style to make millions of dollars for themselves, Rodriguez agreed to an extent.
"We make the style, we make the funk. ... The stuff we were doing or wearing for years, they [Nike] just come along and commercialized it. They take freestyle and make it everyone's style."
So, did they steal the style?
"If they do all this for me and pay my way, then I'm happy about it," Rodriguez said. "We love what we do, NBA shows, tours, all that. We're doing what we like and yeah, they comemercialize, but it's a symbiotic relationship."
At the moment Nike has the power to promote the game of basketball and what is worn around it, Rodriguez said.
"No other company can come into the 'hood and do a commercial. Nike's got the `influencing power.'"
"Without Nike, no one would see us, they are the vehicle for all of this," Wallace said.
"Without the majors you don't get the power numbers," Marshall said. "I play in NY and if it wasn't for Nike the only people who would know me would be my mother and the sister."
Nike Hoops Tour: Tonight and tomorrow at Sungshan Tobacco and Wine plant, Guangfu S Road, 5pm to 9pm. Saturday is for Vince Carter and VIPs, but there will be a screen to watch the action.
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