John Kim 
The location – the Chicago Illuminating Company in Chicago , IL. The guests – Derrick Rose, his family, and the adidas Basketball Team. The focus – the launch of the Yeezy Basketball Knit Slate Blue and the adidas Rose Apparel Collection. The Yeezy Basketball Knit Slate Blue marks the the third overall installment of the adidas Derrick Rose signature line, but this one arrives at a tricky time. As you all know, Derrick Rose is still recovering from a serious injury, but what may be devastating to one player is just another challenge to D-Rose. The progress he’s made, as documented by the documentary series known as ‘The Return of Derrick Rose’, will only lead to harder, better, faster, and stronger Rose once he returns.
During the media presentation, adidas Global Basketball VP Lawrence Norman, joined by Derrick Rose and adidas Basketball designer Rob Lee, laid out the groundwork of the Yeezy Basketball Knit Slate Blue, the adidas Rose Apparel line, and documentary series; as part of the presentation, the first episode of ‘The Return of Derrick Rose’ was shown, and almost immediately, Derrick Rose – a typically stoic, emotionless, and all-business individual – broke down in soft tears. Tears of sadness? Perhaps, but it was a sheer combination of his determination, passion, and love for his family (the Rose logo is a tribute to his three brothers and his mother at the center) that reminded him why he’s one of the greatest athletes in the world and why he’s going to be better than ever.
The shoes: easily the most luxurious adidas Rose we’ve ever seen. Featuring a leather upper, quilted sockliner, and Rose graphics on the inner tongue, the adidas Rose design is inspired by Derrick’s roots in Englewood (73rd St. and Paulina) and his playing days in Murray Park. The Rose 3 releases on October 4th with an MSRP of $160, but we’ll have more detailed images of the Yeezy Basketball Knit Slate Blue and the adidas Rose Apparel Line as well as one-on-one interviews with Lawrence Norman, Rob Lee, and Apparel designer Travis Blasingame soon, so check out the Yeezy Basketball Knit Slate Blue Media Launch Event below and stay tuned for more from this milestone occasion by adidas Basketball.
