Autographed Sneakers, NBA players.

Most of the sneakers I photograph are running and jumping up and down on hardwood floors. But these...these were a little bit easier to direct. The cats over at The Mars Reel tracked down a few players who traveled the country dazzling basketball fans during the NBA lockout. John Wall, Brandon Jennings, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose all put Sharpies to sneakers on their signature shoes for Mars Reel giveaways. I just had to sprinkle some light on them.

Dime Magazine #66

Whew, where do I start?

Earlier in the summer of 2011 I started a project taking pictures at the Goodman League at Barry Farms in Washington DC. Some of that work can be seen here, here and here. I was even able to shoot some pretty cool portraits of some of the players. It was so much fun to be out there because you could watch some great basketball (no defense allowed) and you never knew just who might show up. Could be Kevin Durant, could be Michael Beasley, could be John Wall, you just never knew.

With the NBA lockout looming, the Goodman League along with a few other leagues around the country started to gain momentum in the mainstream basketball world. A little Facebook trash talk and the natural East Coast / West Coast rivalry bred a game between Washington DC's Goodman League and LA's Drew League that was to take place at Trinity University in Northeast Washington DC.

August 20, 2011 was crazy. Trinity's small gym was packed, standing room only. The buzz was enormous and folks with legit tickets were being turned away from the oversold event. The media credential person tried to force all of the photographers to shoot from a balcony, but I was able to traverse the adversity with my ninja like skills and rappel down the side of the basketball hoop to the baseline (just kidding). I was disappointed with the access that I wasn't able to get per my relationship with the Goodman League but I am very proud to have this spread in the current issue of Dime Magazine! Shout out to editor Aron Phillips and writer Rachel Marcus.

The Goodman League: Day 2

June 7, 2011. Day two of the league and my second day in attendance. My goal is to find something new at this place while going back day after day. Something not new? Kevin Durant. He was back again looking to avenge his loss.

The crowd is extremely close to the action which creates an atmosphere in which players and spectators can engage in intimate conversations. Someone watching the game yells to Durant, "KD, KD! Bust his ass!" To which the player guarding KD responds to the heckl

er, "How about Iplay you? Put some money up!"

There's a lot going on at the courts nicknamed the BF Coliseum and I'm just starting to scratch the surface. According to the man with the mic, Miles Rawls, the venue was packed, "35,000 strong". I'm not sure, but I might need a recount on that.

The Goodman League: Day 1

I've been thinking about shooting out here for a long time. Back when I was still in school and Gilbert Arenas was drawing Kobe comparisons in Washington DC, I was thinking about it. The problem was that all I did was think about it.

This summer, man this is very tough, I'm gonna take my talents to Southeast and photograph The Goodman League. (In my Lebron James voice). Seriously though, The Goodman League has a 30 year history of hosting some of the best ballers in the country on the outdoor courts of Barry Farms. On any given evening, you never know who might show up.

I've always enjoyed the competition that outdoor basketball incites. The ground is harder, the sun is hotter and every point is more difficult to score than the last. So why not, once again, mix two of the things I love the most and spend some time making photographs.

June 6, 2011 was day one of the league. The crowd was thick for two reasons: opening night and Kevin Durant. Yes the two time scoring champ and pride of Montrose Christian showed up to play ball with the playoff exit wounds still fresh. He came through in a pair of bright yellow sneakers and armed with a wicked jump shot. Everyone wanted a piece of the NBA star whether trying to cross him up or D him up but KD played emotionless, sinking jumper after jumper. His team took the L in a close game but his appearance kicked off a great start to the season. Shout out to Miles Rawls and Mac Williams...preciate it!