Jamal Crawford’s New Basketball Shoes Have Their Own Short Film (Video)

Lately, you can’t mention the word “Clippers” without talk of scandal and sun visors. But thanks to the team’s star guard (and newly crowned Sixth Man of the Year) Jamal Crawford, there’s a sunnier tidbit being introduced into Clippers conversation — his just-launched J. Crossover basketball shoes and subsequent short film by L.A.-based sneaker company Brandblack. The film’s debut also marks the beginning of a multi-year endorsement deal between the athlete and the sneaker/sportswear upstart. 

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Named after Crawford’s moniker, the $140 sneaks —  available in black, white and metallic gunmetal gray on the brand’s website — come courtesy of the six month-old L.A.-based sneaker company, which is the brainchild of sneaker vet David Raysse, who cut his teeth as Adidas’ basketball director and headed up Skechers’ performance division before setting out on his own.

Though Crawford initially debuted a colorfully festive pair of his kicks on the court during a Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors, this is the first time the shoes are available en masse. As for the launch film, Brandblack tapped RSA Films, the Ridley and Tony Scott-founded commercial production company, and noted director/photographer Antony Crook (who’s shot for Hypebeast, Mr. Porter and the New York Times) to make digital short magic. 

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The style is Crawford’s first-ever namesake shoe. But this foray into the shoe game isn’t his first. In 2005, he helped Jay Z promote his S. Carter Reeboks, and from 2010 to 2013 Crawford was signed to Nike, where he wore Hyperdunks on the court (and found himself benched due to foot pain caused by worn-out shoes in January 2013). 

Watch Crawford’s Brandblack video below.