Why The Kickback Tour Was (And Can Continue to Be) Amazing

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I pray that March 26th becomes an annual event. Not in the sense that every year we have to put the Kickback Tour on that same exact day but I would like for it to be every year in Sacramento. What started out as an idea grew like wildfire from word of mouth. To the point that I was having people I know ask me if I was going to, "the sneaker event". The word is out now nearly four days later. This was and can continue to be something special. If I had to do it over again maybe I wouldn't have worn the same pair of Cement 4s 1 in 4 people had on but other than that no regrets. It's hard to pinpoint an exact subject I'd prefer to write about in regards to the event. So I just preferred to list what made it so special in detail. Happy day, and remember that the French 12 is coming this weekend. Salud. (Big thanks to Laura Allen for the pictures)



#1. I really, really, like BODYARMOR

There were a lot of tents and companies who invested their time into having a spot for their items and merchandise for the event. For that the gratitude is endless and when I say my next sentence it isn't meant to disrespect anyone.

(

BODYARMOR may have one of the best products to hit the scene these next couple of years. They say that the best way to test out your product out is to bring it straight to the customer's hand. That's exactly what their team did last Saturday. I was not like everyone else who waited in line because I was able to walk in early and tour everything. Within five minutes I was handed one of their drinks by a kind woman and had broken the seal on the top. I first tried the Tropical Punch flavor and was blown away.

The drink didn't taste like a Gatorade or Powerade in the sense that it wasn't overly doused with flavor. Yet it tasted smooth and clean, while at the same time giving enough taste to the point that you were satisfied but left wanting more. Then I was able to try the Fruit Punch later in the day (and by later I mean I went and got another one twenty minutes later because I didn't want to be greedy but it tasted too good for me to pass up) and loved that one even more. If they had let me I would've walked out with the entire barrel.

With athletes sponsoring the drink from promising Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis, to NBA Champion Klay Thompson, the company is already getting more than enough backing. Bottom line is this.

Drink BODYARMOR. You won't regret it. 



#2. The Champ (and more) were there. 

(Don't worry Steph I have the same problem when I go outside too)

I'm going to ruin the surprise for everyone that came Saturday.

I knew ahead of time that Steph was going to be there. No one spread it or told anyone about it because had they done that we would've had to have been escorted in with three times the security that was already at the event.

(On second thought, maybe someone should have spilled the bomb that he was coming).

 All jokes aside it was amazing to walk in as a spectator and see the star power that was in that building. Anyone knows the game of basketball and sneakers go hand in hand. I'm never surprised at the creativity and
unique personas NBA players share on their feet by rocking a pair of sneakers. They wear a revolution on their feet with the amount of TV and general media cameras they bring to their feet. As William Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage".

As I walked into the building it started with Riley Curry (who quickly is becoming a celebrity in her own right), then you would see Sonya Curry helping out at the Kick'n It table. In walked Willie Cauley-Stein and he was soon to be followed by Seth Curry. Then came Boogie Cousins, Caron Butler, Rudy Gay and it seemed like everywhere you went there was someone there. A friend of mine turned to me and said, "What's next, Steph ?".

(Wille Cauley-Stein had one heck of a weekend after coming to the KickBack Tour, where he proceeded the next day to score 21 points coming off the bench in a win against Dallas)

When Steph walked in the entire room collectively turned to the stage. Only a few people that have ever existed could get that kind of reaction. Elvis, MJ, Wilt Chamberlain, and Steph. What made it better was that no one was on an ego trip. Long as you were polite and kind (which everyone that came was) they would take pictures with you, talk to you etc. That's always a great feeling when you're able to meet someone and are able to leave with a positive experience.

Which is what the purpose of the event was. To have a positive experience. So to those who came thanks you for your involvement and keep doing your thing on the court, off the court, and just life in general.



#3. Play Bang Bang Ball If you Have the Trash Cans

Created when Seth Curry's friends and family threw him a birthday party, Bang Bang Ball came to the Kickback Tour and was given a close up experience to the Sacramento public.

The game is basically a bigger, larger version of beer pong (minus the beer because this is family friendly). The KickBack Tour had three teams. Team Sacramento Kings consisted of a group of the Kings in attendance such as Boogie and Caron Butler aka Tuff Juice. Team Kick'n It received a special cameo appearance from Riley Curry alongside her mom Ayesha and dad Steph. Meanwhile Team Sac Town was created from five random guests at the event.


Bang Bang Ball I find entertaining for the sheer fact that it's a bigger game of beer pong which allows for more arch on your shot from a farther distance as you watch the balls float on a magic rainbow towards the trash cans. Not only that, but since it's family friendly everyone can play (as shown by Riley) which means you can get the kids vs the parents etc.

(Devontee performed the Kick'n It theme song during the Bang Bang Ball portion of the event)

#4. Everyone had a good time

This topic would be #1 on my list if I had actually wanted to organize these points in order.

Everyone had a good time. Isn't that the point of events such as these? Look we can sit here and talk about certain shoes and styles all day when we go to these venues. The purpose remains the same, that everyone enjoy themselves and have a good time.

That's why I as not just an ambassador to the City of Sacramento, but as a citizen to the sneaker game in general in America think we need more events like this. Where we help people in the process and are also enjoying being around others who like the same things that we do.

It's amazing to go to sneaker conventions like a DXC and now a KickBack Tour Event and see, interact with other sneakerheads to share opinions on certain pairs, collections, and etc.
Otherwise what are we buying, selling, and trading these shoes for? There'd be no purpose if you can't share them with others (don't be a hoarder). Thankfully we do have a purpose and hopefully we continue to have this event around the Country and convince more sponsors and people to hop on board.

The more people to get going with it the better, and hopefully I'm able to see all of you at next year's Kickback.

(The 2k Station also featured Ronnie 2k to stop by, as well as games that involved Trill and Seth)