Though Dwight Howard was unsuccessful in winning the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest this past weekend, his sneakers were definitely on point. Throwing down a plethora of amazing dunks including easily dunking on a 12 foot high rim, Howard surely gave 5′9 Nate Robinson a run for his money. Eventually Nate aka Kryptonate won the contest while dunking over his 6′11 competitor, Dwight Howard. For the Slam Dunk Contest, Dwight was rocking this Superman inspired colorway of the adidas TS Bounce Commander. Featuring a blue patent leather upper with red and yellow accents, this pair definitely brings out the superhero in all of us. To cap it all off, adidas has also included a Superman logo on the heel of the sneaker as well as Dwight’s number, 12, on the midsole. There is currently no information indicating that this pair will release, but stay tuned for updates. Via hb.

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For the third year in a row, Philly-based lifestyle clothing troupe UNDRCRWN linked up with adidas REMIX to creatively reinvigorate the Three Stripes most coveted high-performance hoop product. In past years, the collaboration has yielded a five-shoe African- inspired “It Takes 5ive” campaign and shamelessly bold, iridescent version (Appropriately titled the “Just Ice Lightswitch Low”–Thanks K!) of the TS Lightswitch Low. For 2008-09, the partnership is coupling ‘Crwn’s “Brand for Champions” motif with Adi’s Team Signature Create & Command Series to create three shoes befitting the winners of the world. Specifically, the companies reworked the TS Commander Mid, TS Creator Mid, and TS Creator Low. I recently got the chance to sit down with folks from both camps and receive a behind-the-scenes look at the production and inspiration behind each model. Read on…

Going into the interview, I was interested in learning more about how each shoe was produced. With the atypical materials, concepts and marketing involved, I figured ongoing circumspection was necessary to properly execute such a unique project. Brian from the adidas Portland offices explains, “The original concepts for the shoes start 18 months out.” From there, changes in materials are meted out by the brand’s marketing department and Undrcrwn. UNDRCRWN founder and head designer Dustin Canalin explains, “It’s hard to market sometimes because the shoes are always being changed. But that’s the great thing about our projects with adidas—they keep us involved in every step of the process.”

With a skilled production squad backing the project, the brands centralized their efforts on developing product that was reflective of a “winning” attitude on and off the courts. UNDRCRWN Public Relations Manager Tracy Royal explains via stock e-mail, “UNDRCRWN is the Brand for Champions. When you win and nobody believes you could do it; that is what UNDRCRWN stands for.” Each shoe in the series employs a different approach in evoking a feeling of victory.

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