I was humbled when Nike Chicago reached out to me to help launch the 2017/18 NBA season and the new Nike Connected NBA jerseys. The ask; capture the essence, spirit and emotion of basketball in Chicago.

Being a native son of the Windy City (and forever Bulls fan), I jumped at the opportunity and created a manifesto that helped guide messaging across digital (see video), social and physical platforms (it was also turned into an installation for the exclusive launch event). 

Check out the manifesto in full below:

Chicago Wants It All

We don’t want just a piece
That’s not how we’re built in the Chi
We’re taught to take everything
Because it’s never been given

We know the game
We put the world up on game
Because we go harder on the hardwood
And we black out on the blacktop

We don’t wait to get noticed
We put the world on notice
And don't just do it, but over do it
For every time we were overlooked

That’s made our game sharper
Ready for the ball at all times
We don’t ask, we take the spot light
Taking the spot we’ve always deserved

Don’t forget that your favorite player
Learned their game from the Greatest player
We were always Air to the throne
Because this is the game’s true home

From Humboldt Park To Hyde Park
Over to Lawndale and up to Lakeview
77 hoods, 3 sides, that’s the 773
Add up the 312 and you got our 6 rings

Our legacy is solidified
But we’re still not satisfied
We’re coming, get ready
Because Chicago Wants It All