Have you at any time preferred to know what are the most iconic NBA Finals sneakers of all-time? Or the story driving the biggest shots in NBA heritage? Or even just how to fashion sneakers with a suit? The NBA and iHeartMedia’s newest podcast, “Running The Crack with C.J. and Alex,” aims to all those questions and much more.
“There are so several podcasts breaking down stat strains and data or figures — and I adore individuals. But in figuring out how we delight in the match, a good deal of that is the tunnel matches or the sneakers gamers are donning,” reported C.J. Toledano, the podcast’s co-host. “There’s techniques you can have interaction in the NBA 24/7, and I consider we’ve located that.”
“Running The Break,” hosted by Toledano and Alex Wong, is focused significantly less on the Xs and Os of the activity and more on any and all off-the-court matters. It’s not just Toledano and Wong speaking, while, as NBA gamers, broadcasters and extra have presently stopped by. Due to the fact launching in Could during the NBA playoffs, the podcast’s 13 episodes have bundled conversations with Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee (on golfing with the Curry relatives), TNT’s Adam Lefkoe (on hanging with Shaq) and an NBA Finals vogue wrap-up chat with comedian Rob Haze.
Nevertheless, the podcast could not run devoid of co-hosts Toledano and Wong — who joke that the offseason is the time the “pros of basketball articles move-up.” But with their NBA content material knowledge and NBA style skills — which includes deep-diving into distinct topics, these as the mid-1990s NBA jersey craze — they live up to their motto.
As for greatest dressed NBA player of all-time? Toledano and Wong disagree, with Toledano backing Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook and Wong backing Hall of Famer and defensive maven Dennis Rodman.
Russell Westbrook (still left) and Dennis Rodman (right) arrivals.
“I’m heading to go Russ,” Toledano said. “He normally takes probabilities, but then he is familiar with how to do the fundamentals definitely well. It’s anything you have never ever seen in advance of. He designed an formal photographer’s vest stylish.”
To Wong, Rodman can take the title for how he served inspire league-broad outfits right now.
“You glance back at Dennis Rodman’s matches — the rock band tees, colourful trousers and trucker hats. Those people are all the things that a large amount of these more youthful gamers in the NBA now aspire to be like. Fashion’s just about expression for a whole lot of these men, correct? I simply cannot assume of a dude who expressed himself improved than Dennis Rodman.”
Outdoors of hosting the podcast, Toledano is the founder of Stick to As a result of — a innovative studio that specializes in building and producing sports activities entertainment content that fuels tradition. He also earlier was the Resourceful Director of Property of Highlights and Bleacher Report, a content producer for the Detroit Pistons and a stand-up comic for 12 many years.
C.J. Toledano, co-host of ‘Running The Break’
“It all goes back to when I was a child. I was the only Asian kid in my university, but didn’t want to be regarded as the only Asian child — so I targeted on what made me stand out, which was a enjoy for comedy and basketball,” Toledano explained. “I was a 90s kid, so I required to costume like Michael Jordan, which opened up the globe of the activity off the court such as an desire in sneakers, memorabilia and trading cards. This podcast definitely came from how I consume the activity.”
Wong is primarily based in Toronto and provides yet another podcast, “The Raptors Show,” which is the No. 1 basketball podcast in Canada. He has also composed NBA articles for GQ, SLAM Magazine, Advanced and much more. He enjoys telling one of a kind, niche stories on NBA groups these as a function he did for GQ on the Cleveland Cavaliers and their “Game Of Thrones” fandom.
“I recall observing ‘NBA Within Stuff,’ and genuinely loving understanding about the behind-the-scenes and the personalities of the players. Growing up, so substantially of the fascination all around basketball was sneakers or amassing jerseys and it’s awesome to be capable to have a platform now to have all those conversations with our listeners,” Wong said.
Wong’s e-book, “Cover Tale,” breaks down some of the ideal-acknowledged basketball magazine covers of the modern era. That e-book impressed Toledano and motivated him to want to function with Wong.
“That job is so unique, and that is why it was best that we teamed up. Alex will deep-dive into the corners of NBA fandom,” Toledano claimed. “We’re gonna have the deepest conversations about the most random NBA things.”
Toledano and Wong hope “Running The Break” will uncover the marriage amongst basketball and manner, and the two claimed vogue allows players to convey by themselves and their character off the court.
Managing The Crack co-host, Alex Wong.
“You appear at a 23-year-previous participant who might’ve just occur into the NBA. He may possibly be mixing streetwear with superior-end stuff and designer names,” Wong reported. “Then you seem at a participant who has been in the league longer like Carmelo Anthony or like LeBron James, l they have more of a grown gentleman appear, ideal? Most people is making an attempt to reach for individualism, and it’s awesome to see different age groups go at it in a different way.”
Included Toledano: “These players have to put on the very same uniform in game titles. Players are recognizing their possibility to get their identification and message out there when they are off the court docket, and it just begins with fashion.”
Over-all, Toledano and Wong goal to produce unique NBA manner and society material all through the 2022-23 season. They hope to eventually speak with NBA stylists who get the job done with gamers, and emphasize WNBA players who are trailblazers in the trend house. To them, “Running The Break” can charm to hardcore and informal NBA enthusiasts.
“We’re heading to get into those deep cuts for the hardcore fans, but also everyday basketball lovers can just discover from the discussions we have,” Wong claimed. “Our target is for listeners to just tune in and delight in what is just a really casual discussion on all points in the basketball space every single week.”
New episodes of “Running The Crack with C.J. and Alex” are launched each and every Wednesday and are obtainable on the iHeart application, Apple Podcasts and where ever podcasts are streamed.
