Latest news with #ChuckTaylor
Los Angeles Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Can Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander make the squeak squeak squeak of Converse a force again on the court?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander puzzled people when he debuted his signature Converse shoe during All-Star weekend. Converse? Where Chuck Taylor retros reside? Sure, Gilgeous-Alexander — known simply as SGA — was a rapidly improving player on a rapidly improving Oklahoma City Thunder team. But him as the face of a fading performance sneaker outfit didn't compute. Fast forward to the NBA Finals. Moments after the Thunder's 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers, SGA ascended the stage to accept his most valuable player trophy with a golden colorway of his signature shoe hanging from his neck. Then on Tuesday, SGA doubled down, enjoying the championship parade with 'Trophy Gold' Converse SHAI 001s on his feet. Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion. And during Paris Fashion Week no less, when big brands from Nike and New Balance to Adidas and Asics introduce new product lines. Nothing enhances marketing like winning, and SGA is the undisputed NBA victor of the season. He's the anointed MVP of the regular season as well as the Finals, leading the league in scoring and doing it all with an impish grin and requisite humility. As creative director of Converse, the shoe fits. 'I'm able to essentially do whatever I want to do with the shoe. How it's going to play out, the ball is really in my court,' SGA told Boardroom TV in December. 'It's something that I could imagine every athlete would want to ask for, to try and tell their story and show themselves to the world how they want to do it. To have complete control, it's a blessing.' But can SGA elevate Converse from the bargain rack? His SHAI 001s aren't grandpa's Chuck Taylor All-Stars, those classic shoes of timeless design consisting of a white toe cap over cotton canvas adorned with a distinctive All-Star logo. They made a comeback last year when presidential candidate Kamala Harris wore them but Converse recorded year-over-year sales declines of 15% or more in each of the last three fiscal quarters. Chuck Taylor was a semi-pro basketball player and traveling salesman for the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in the early 1920s when he designed the shoe. By the 1950s nearly everyone on a basketball court wore them, but they declined in popularity by the end of the 1970s before enjoying a comeback as nostalgic casual footwear. A few years after going through bankruptcy, Converse was swallowed up by Nike in 2003 for $305 million. So, technically, SGA is just another massively paid shill for Nike, standing in line behind Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Selena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rory McIlroy. But by aligning himself with an all-but-forgotten underdog of a brand, SGA has an opportunity to author a chapter in the signature shoe wars that could rival his already substantial accomplishments on the court. There is one problem. The Shai 001 won't be available for sale until the fall. Converse can't capitalize on OKC and SGA fans wanting to rock the golden 'butter' footwear of their new hero, and wanting them NOW. A limited release, at least, did take place in downtown Oklahoma City for two hours Tuesday before the parade. Aligning with a current player always involves an element of risk for a shoe company. Converse learned this firsthand in 1997 when it dropped Latrell Sprewell as an endorser and spokesman after the NBA star choked coach P.J. Carlesimo during a Golden State Warriors practice. And the risk isn't always about misbehavior. Puma unveiled the Hali 1, its first shoe in collaboration with the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton on the day this year's NBA Finals began. Haliburton tore an Achilles tendon in Game 7 and will miss most, if not all, of next season. So Converse must continue to be quick on its feet to capitalize on its so far fortunate choice of SGA to represent the brand. He's only 26 and displays leadership and other qualities of a role model in addition to otherworldly hoop skills. Can Converse become relevant again in the performance space? Can SGA become as linked to the brand as Chuck Taylor? First the shoes must hit the market. One step at a time. 'I wanted to create something new,' SGA told Boardroom TV. 'I wanted to bring Converse into my world and have Converse through my lens.'
New York Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Can the Cavaliers, Knicks dominate a potentially wide-open East? The WOE meter answers
The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic's daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox. On this day, in 1901, Chuck Taylor was born. He was a professional basketball player, is believed to have created the first basketball clinic and designed the renowned Converse shoe that was shockingly used for basketball for far too long. But damn if it doesn't still look iconic. Is the East truly up for grabs next season? It's hard to ignore what happened in the Eastern Conference playoffs. No, I'm not talking about the Heat losing by 92 points in their two home games against the Cavaliers in the first round. I'm talking about Achilles injuries to Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton putting a weird dark cloud over what still ended up being a really fun postseason the NBA should otherwise revel in. Advertisement Once Tatum went down, the conversation turned to how wide-open the East could become. Teams saw what the Pacers did in their march to nearly winning a title and had to think they could emulate such a run, even if it's a little foolish to believe you can wave a magic wand and just immediately create culture. Then, Haliburton went down with his Achilles injury, leaving the East even more wide-open than what we thought when Tatum went down. Let me introduce you to the Wide-Open East meter – or the WOE meter, for short. With one of the most precise formulas known to the human mind, we're able to measure these East teams on a highly scientific emoji scale of 1-to-5. One emoji means you should probably just scout AJ Dybantsa for the 2026 draft, and five means you could be the new Pacers. No offense to the Nets, Hornets or Wizards, but we know your plans. The East is not that open: Cavaliers (64-18): I keep leaving every postseason thinking they need to make some changes. But maybe this version of the Eastern Conference is the one for them to bully. WOE Meter: 👀👀👀👀👀 Celtics (61-21): It will depend on how much the Celtics feel the need to further gut the roster to save some money while Tatum is rehabbing his injury (more on that below). But this should still be a competitive team. WOE Meter: 🤔🤔🤔 Knicks (51-31): I would imagine the Knicks are running back the same roster. They're hoping a new coach will hide how thin the bench is, but this team is still good enough to win the East. WOE Meter: 🗽🗽🗽🗽🗽 Pacers (50-32): It's asking a lot for the Pacers to not be fully affected by Haliburton's absence, but perhaps T.J. McConnell has been the true heir to the LeBron James era this entire time. WOE Meter: 🚗🚗🚗 Bucks (48-34): More people are expecting them to move Giannis Antetokounmpo than move the needle. WOE Meter: 🦌🦌 Pistons (44-38): I don't know if there is a big splash for the Pistons to make this summer, but next season seems like a prime opportunity to take advantage. They have a good identity of toughness and a lot of talent. WOE Meter: 💪💪💪💪 Magic (41-41): That Desmond Bane trade puts a healthy Magic team right in the thick of what we're talking about. Would it really shock you if I came back from the future and told you they won the East? WOE Meter: 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄 Heat (37-45): I just don't see a move this summer that truly puts them back in the mix. WOE Meter: 🌡️🌡️ Hawks (40-42): I'm not doing the Hawks thing anymore … not until they prove it's worth actually considering. WOE Meter: 🐦🐦 The Bulls (39-43) have started acquiring some young talent, but that talent isn't ready to make waves just yet. WOE Meter: 🐂🐂 Raptors (30-52): This is a sneaky little option here. It would take a lot of things going right with them, but I do think a healthy Raptors roster is a lot better than the 30 wins they notched last season. WOE Meter: 🦖🦖🦖 76ers (24-58): Hey, remember these guys? Now stop me if you've heard this before, but what if they're healthy? What if Joel Embiid is back? What if the third pick in the draft is a dynamo right away? What if Paul George isn't podcasting? Sneaky candidate here. WOE Meter: 🔔🔔🔔🔔 Haliburton's injury scare is as bad as we feared 🤔 Not-so-open? Since the Thunder own the West, any hopes for opponents competing might be a thing of the past. 💰 Get paid. Daniel Gafford is nearing an extension with Dallas. It would be worth $54 million over three years. 📺 Small markets? Game 7 of the NBA Finals was quite popular. It was the league's most-watched game in six years. 🤯 What is happening? We had people go to Fanatics Fest so you didn't have to. This feels like a fever dream of chaos. Advertisement 📈 Prospect pool. John Hollinger went deep on his top 75 prospects for this week's NBA Draft. 💫 Immediate stardom? Christian Clark explains why Cooper Flagg should be a rare impact player 'the first day he steps' into the league. 🎧 Tuning in. Today's 'NBA Daily' discusses a few key NBA Draft questions. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. Celtics send Holiday back to Blazers We had a trade come in last night, with the Celtics sending Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. We're going to get into that – check out my trade grades for more on this deal! – but first please indulge me in a little internet chaos. A fun conspiracy theory to think about is that, back in the fall of 2023, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin really wanted to stick it to the Heat. It's hard to know what's real and what's internet sensationalism, but there was some weird stuff happening online between the Heat and Trail Blazers fan bases. Damian Lillard wanted out of Portland and had Miami as one of his preferred destinations. That seemed to rub Cronin and the Blazers wrong, which sparked ample arguing between those aforementioned fans. Also, some of the local media got involved, but that's a topic for another day. As we remember, Lillard ended up getting moved to Milwaukee to join up with Antetokounmpo. Holiday was part of the package Portland received. He never played a second for the Blazers because he was traded to the Celtics a few days later. It's fun to believe Cronin did that to make life more difficult for a Heat organization that had been battling Boston for years. And they were getting the better of the Celtics too, but adding Holiday to the mix was going to be too much. Fast forward two seasons, and it looks like Holiday is headed back to Portland. Two questions come to mind for this trade: 1) Why? 2) Are they just going to move him again? Advertisement Assuming Holiday picks up a $37.4 million player option for 2027-28 when he's 37 years old, he has $104.4 million over three years left on his deal. That's a lot of money for a guy who just had one of his worst seasons in a 16-year career. He battled injuries, missed 20 games and has now missed 63 games over the last four seasons. If he was healthy and a bit younger, this would make more sense. But I'm not sure he will be as available as his contract should demand, nor have the necessary trade value to move him for assets. This isn't 2023. As for Simons, he adds a scoring punch and can be a good outside shooter to a Celtics team looking to trim some money off the books and make up for the loss of Tatum next season. Simons is going into the final year of his deal, but he'll fit pretty well next to Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. We just need to see a lot of defensive improvement from him. One more question: Why did Portland have to give up draft picks here? This whole thing is baffling. Don't forget to read those grades! Will gambling on Ace Bailey work for anybody? Sam Vecenie dropped his latest mock draft yesterday, and the Ace Bailey situation has become utterly fascinating. The Rutgers product and his camp have decided to play hardball with their pre-draft process and cancel some workouts/meetings. The idea is for them to control what they can control in an effort to get him to a preferred basketball destination. I guess that doesn't feel like Philadelphia, if we're reading some tea leaves? Almost two weeks ago, I did a little mock draft exercise to throw chaos into the mix. And I wondered just how far Bailey could drop. His dream landing spot to me is Washington (drafting sixth overall) because I think he could actually thrive with the Wizards' young core. Does he have some version of Tracy McGrady within him waiting to develop? Or is that a wild comp that will never fit? If you're looking to draft a high-scoring player to develop, do you want an explosive athlete like Bailey, who needs to iron out some decision-making? Or do you go for someone like Tre Johnson (out of Texas), who can be a smooth shooting guard that fills it up coming off screens? Where do executives value these two players the most? Bailey would probably be best-advised to avoid the Hornets, as they haven't quite proven their new management and ownership have turned over any new leaves. That franchise still feels like a mess. If Bailey falls past Washington, I would imagine Brooklyn has to seriously look at him at eight. The Nets are playing the slow build as they start accumulating young talent in the draft. Bailey as a potential star in Brooklyn definitely makes sense. I can't imagine he falls beyond that slot. Advertisement After Cooper Flagg (from Duke) and Dylan Harper (Rutgers' other stud prospect), Bailey does seem to have the highest ceiling, although plenty of people are in love with V.J. Edgecombe and are wondering if he was too unselfish at Baylor. Maybe there's an even more dynamic player waiting to be unleashed on the NBA there. Maybe it is Johnson. It could be Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears. This is why the NBA Draft is so fun. You can just throw hypotheticals at yourself all day long and ruminate on what might be. Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. ( Photo: David Richard / USA Today Network via Imagn Images )
Hypebeast
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Converse Unveils the Sleek, Casual Cool All-Star Coinloafer
Name:Converse All-Star CoinloaferColorway:Black/White, BlackSKU:31315090, 31315091Retail Price:$150 USDRelease Date:June 10, 2025Where to Buy:Nike Converse is blending classic elegance with its signature casual cool with the release of the new All-Star Coinloafer. This innovative silhouette transforms the iconic Chuck Taylor DNA into a sophisticated, yet still unmistakably Converse, loafer hybrid, set to launch this week. The All-Star Coinloafer takes inspiration from traditional penny loafers, featuring a sleek, laceless design with a slip-on entry. However, it cleverly integrates Converse's heritage elements. Expect a durable canvas upper, reminiscent of classic Chucks, but now shaped into a refined loafer silhouette. The signature rubber toe cap and diamond-patterned outsole are subtly integrated, providing a familiar nod to its athletic roots while ensuring comfort and grip. The name 'Coinloafer' suggests a nod to the classic penny loafer's slot. The design offers a clean, versatile aesthetic, perfect for dressing up or down. It will likely come in classic Converse colorways, such as black and white, making it an easy addition to any wardrobe. This model caters to those seeking a more polished yet still comfortable footwear option, seamlessly transitioning from casual outings to more refined occasions.
Fashion Network
06-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Converse – not Nike – takes center stage at NBA finals with Thunder star
Meanwhile, Nike, which owns the Jordan brand, is in an unfamiliar position. The next biggest name in the series is Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, who has a shoe with Puma SE. However, Nike isn't being completely shut out of the finals. The world's largest sports gear maker acquired Converse in 2003 to bolster its lifestyle business. Since then, Converse has had spurts of success, but growth stalled and revenue has been declining, including an 18% drop in the most recent reported period. It makes up about 4% of Nike's total sales. Nike Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill, who came out of retirement last year to try to reverse a lengthy sales slump, recognizes the shoe's importance. In February, Hill flew to San Francisco to be alongside SGA to debut the Shai 001 — his new $130 basketball shoes in buttery yellow. 'Footwear is all about endorsers and personalities, to be able to identify product lines, and customers know their products by their names rather than just calling them sneakers,' said Simeon Siegel, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets. 'Converse knows this better than anyone. Go back to what made Converse: the Chuck Taylor.' A representative for Converse didn't respond to a request for comment for this story. Long before Michael Jordan played his first NBA game, Converse's Chuck Taylor sneaker was the most dominant shoe on the court. Nearly all pro basketball players throughout the 1960s wore Converse sneakers — usually Chucks, originally developed for the basketball player-turned-shoe salesman in the 1920s. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the top stars of the 80s, wore Converse as they battled for championships. In the NBA, rivals such as Adidas AG and Puma seized market share, then Nike came along with its first Jordans in 1985 and never looked back. The majority of NBA players wear Nikes or Jordans, and it has signature shoes with most of the sport's biggest names: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Converse was forgotten. SGA, a 6-foot-6 Canadian guard out of the University of Kentucky, is an unlikely hero for Converse. The Charlotte Hornets picked him 11th in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers on the same day. After averaging about 11 points per game in his rookie year, the Clippers traded him to the Thunder. The breakout came after SGA arrived in Oklahoma, and Converse finally signed him to a footwear and apparel endorsement deal in 2020 after his second season as a pro. He said at the time that Converse 'not having so many guys and the ability to express myself on and off the court in so many different ways appeals to me so much.' Three All-Star selections and one Most Valuable Player award later, SGA has emerged as one of the league's elite talents. But Converse's timing could've been better. Though SGA began wearing his sneakers midway through the season, they won't be available for shoppers to purchase until this fall. Yet as Converse leans into basketball, Hill and Converse Chief Executive Officer Jared Carver have yet to outline a strategic plan to turn around the brand. It's rarely mentioned on Nike's quarterly calls with investors and analysts. 'Converse as a standalone business is very large,' said Siegel. 'As a piece of Nike, it's felt like an afterthought.'
Fashion Network
05-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Converse – not Nike – takes center stage at NBA finals with Thunder star
Meanwhile, Nike, which owns the Jordan brand, is in an unfamiliar position. The next biggest name in the series is Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, who has a shoe with Puma SE. However, Nike isn't being completely shut out of the finals. The world's largest sports gear maker acquired Converse in 2003 to bolster its lifestyle business. Since then, Converse has had spurts of success, but growth stalled and revenue has been declining, including an 18% drop in the most recent reported period. It makes up about 4% of Nike's total sales. Nike Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill, who came out of retirement last year to try to reverse a lengthy sales slump, recognizes the shoe's importance. In February, Hill flew to San Francisco to be alongside SGA to debut the Shai 001 — his new $130 basketball shoes in buttery yellow. 'Footwear is all about endorsers and personalities, to be able to identify product lines, and customers know their products by their names rather than just calling them sneakers,' said Simeon Siegel, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets. 'Converse knows this better than anyone. Go back to what made Converse: the Chuck Taylor.' A representative for Converse didn't respond to a request for comment for this story. Long before Michael Jordan played his first NBA game, Converse's Chuck Taylor sneaker was the most dominant shoe on the court. Nearly all pro basketball players throughout the 1960s wore Converse sneakers — usually Chucks, originally developed for the basketball player-turned-shoe salesman in the 1920s. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the top stars of the 80s, wore Converse as they battled for championships. In the NBA, rivals such as Adidas AG and Puma seized market share, then Nike came along with its first Jordans in 1985 and never looked back. The majority of NBA players wear Nikes or Jordans, and it has signature shoes with most of the sport's biggest names: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Converse was forgotten. SGA, a 6-foot-6 Canadian guard out of the University of Kentucky, is an unlikely hero for Converse. The Charlotte Hornets picked him 11th in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers on the same day. After averaging about 11 points per game in his rookie year, the Clippers traded him to the Thunder. The breakout came after SGA arrived in Oklahoma, and Converse finally signed him to a footwear and apparel endorsement deal in 2020 after his second season as a pro. He said at the time that Converse 'not having so many guys and the ability to express myself on and off the court in so many different ways appeals to me so much.' Three All-Star selections and one Most Valuable Player award later, SGA has emerged as one of the league's elite talents. But Converse's timing could've been better. Though SGA began wearing his sneakers midway through the season, they won't be available for shoppers to purchase until this fall. Yet as Converse leans into basketball, Hill and Converse Chief Executive Officer Jared Carver have yet to outline a strategic plan to turn around the brand. It's rarely mentioned on Nike's quarterly calls with investors and analysts. 'Converse as a standalone business is very large,' said Siegel. 'As a piece of Nike, it's felt like an afterthought.'
