Saturday, November 05, 2005

With NBA giants, there is always competition for the spot as the greatest, and this competition continues when it comes to sneaker and apparel lines.

NBA legend Erving "Magic" Johnson launched his inaugural sneaker and apparel line Magic32 this fall. Johnson's goal was to create a line that would be affordable and stylish without jeopardizing quality.

"The primary focus of Magic32 will be to combine fashion, quality and performance at affordable prices," said Johnson to magic32usa.com.

"I really wanted to launch a line that everybody in the family could afford and still be hot for the kids," he added.

After a few weeks on the market, there is a lot of commotion about his new line.

"It's a good idea that he is trying to make something semi-stylish yet affordable, especially since he's a role model. Kids, they look up to him and will get their parents to buy them," said Aliyya Clark, sophomore TV production major/fashion merchandizing minor.

Junior administration justice major, Cliffone Ault, believes in the idea, "I like the whole movement," Ault said.

However, others believe that Johnson is trying to do more then just push an affordable sneaker and apparel line.

Sophomore psychology major Arlandus Hood doesn't like the idea, "It's just another way for Magic to get money; people are going to buy them just because [of] the name, but they're ugly."

Consumers who are aware of the Magic32 line are focusing their attention on the sneakers rather then the apparel, and are constantly comparing them to the Nike brand, Air Jordan line and Shaquille O'Neal's sneaker line. Magic32usa.com