luis "TRIKZ" da silva

[rapman85]

Yet another TAL listener.. :)

[19jordana]

Just got into TAL and the guy talked about it so enthusiastically that I had to check it out

[cholerymorbilus]

it's kind of cool how many people are going back through This American Life-- we should all hang out

[jklewer]

@cholerymorbilus For me it was the iPhone app, I'm through the most recent episodes all the way back to 180 or so...

[iwilldieforhim]

TAL. Way to go Louis.

[Walczyk]

TAL here. watching the other favorites. 5am est

[vermillionss]

...yep... this american life is pretty awersome.

[jaypzl]

Another follow up from THis American Life... Dope handles.

[bofumytofu]

this american life lol!!

[747Aerophila]

lol I was also searching out this movie after listening to "This American Life" episode 192.

[a1980black]

I like his style

[TheFRunnerRC]

streetball total!!

[davetechme]

Old school.

[lylalavender]

This American Life brought me here. I love that radio program!

[danielcohen88]

gotta love This American Life

[18UTE85]

my contact ID is on muh prfoile!

hehe neat Cy

[RubenZgator]

wow! After listening about it on TAL - I just had to see it! Cool moves Luis!

[athenamat]

Ditto on TAL. He's cool but I also think there was a bit of a love affair there ;P

[marilandecorona]

Yeah! Beautiful... I just wanted to check it out. I was listening to "This American Life" a few min. ago.

Thanx!

[benjaminlibl]

Is this really him? I can't see any tats.

[xv3elnino]

you blind or what?

[benjaminlibl]

Must be a pretty old video.

[JGyaDIG]

Holla, this is my cousin ppl. Glad to see this nigga doin big things. All ya haters fall back, youll never be as good as my cousin. =]

[WilMahfingahdo]

Ahhh yes. A TAL discussion! Heaven....

[cmcotto1]

Love TAL. Best show on radio. And this guy is great too. keep it up!

[WonkaZone]

Let's not forget Joel Lovell, the correspondent that produced this piece. He's great too.

[Altheria9]

Also TAL. Also just listened to the story of the American soldier who served in Iraq and then joined a Muslim student group in college to get over his prejudices. Another fantastic story from TAL.

[nbwoodyal]

another TAL...keep it up...

[cdwaldrop]

So let me add one more person who searched the web to find this because of This American Life. Love the show, love the video clip.

[robertoluque]

Me too..... Great Vid!

[t33nf33t]

Yeah, this guy is good...but come on?? "The best thing on TV--EVER"? Am I the only one who thinks that Joel Lovell seems a little turned on by this hot latin stud? It seems a little gay...especially the part where they are going "one on one".

[gy8601a]

I agree

[gizgil]

Hello, get back some of your youthful idealism, the excitement of remembering what it's like to be a kid and live for basketball! Jeez, don't be so damn jaded! The kid is AWESOME and he's totally inspiring and if you ever loved basketball with a fever and a passion but new you weren't gonna be a pro, this kid is definitely someone to look up to at ANY age! Don't be so homophobic, okay? Don't be so "cool" -- be open, be happy, be excited, be NICE and have fun, don't be MEAN - it was a NICE story!

[peatfreedom]

He's doing that to make the story seem sensational enough for radio. Its his job to push it a little farther than is necessarily accurate, because if he was frank about a dude who just dribbles well, you wouldn't have been interested enough to look up this video on youtube.

[BinocularsPwn]

@peatfreedom

You mean the reporter? You must not listen to TAL very often, if ever. All he did was describe what he saw, that's all they ever do. Hell, the most notable thing about TAL is their matter-of-fact storytelling. They've never sensationalized a story... they're kind of incapable of it.

And dribbling is just dribbling. This is not just dribbling. This is unique and takes skill. You're trying to come off as learned but you actually misused "frank." lol

[peatfreedom]

@BinocularsPwn

I was responding to t33nf33t's comment at the time. I really enjoyed the story and I listen to TAL often. I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say. They do an amazing job making a very average person with a unique skill seem more captivating than he might otherwise be if you met him in person. It's particularly impressive because the story is enjoyable without the listener even seeing de silva "dribble."

You're criticizing my use of language but you used lol...

[BinocularsPwn]

@peatfreedom

And how did they do that, exactly? All the reporter did was describe who the kid was and how he got to be in the commercial. Whether he's unique or not is up to the listener, they never call him that. I came here when they first mentioned a commercial. They hadn't described what the kid does in it. I was curious and wanted a reference point, which is likely why most people looked it up, not "sensationalism."

Yes I am, as you misused a real word. "Lol" is a net acronym. Your point?

[Fervor34]

I heart Ira Glass... But Luis de Silva is absolutely incredible!

[tyumal]

man, "this american life" is just awesome, i love the show, and da silva is really great, i had to check him out after listening to meet the pros episode xD

[sckoodudey2k]

haha i did the same thing...and agreed, TAL is the best show on radio

[chescaleigh]

HA! that's exactly how i found this video! this american life is amazing

[prenduzal]

Thank you Ira Glass, for making us all aware of this. Fabulous stuff! This American Life isn't always my cup of tea but some shows are going to stay on my IPOD until I die!

[OrchidLei]

Here from "This American Life" site, I loved hearing Da Silva talk about his experience from his obsessive practice as a kid to the ultimate payoff, a deal with Nike.

[evelyngeddis]

Come on, how do you compare freestyle basketball skills to This American Life? They're completely different entities, and they're both awe-inspiring and incredible. I'm so excited to have seen this!

[wormoose]

Ira Glass could beat him one on one

[skunkman62]

it was joel lovell going one on one in the story. not ira glass

[thajigisup]

I think TAL because it's just consistently awesome, rather than Luis who is truly amazing, yet he doesn't wow us EVERY SINGLE WEEK like "This American Life" does.

[allisonwalkstheline]

TAL, also.

[communicatrix]

Which rocks more, TAL or Luis? Too close to call...

[michaelgonline]

yes. this is really is a great story. thnx to TAL for highlighting it.

[UnclePutin]

Yeah, followed link from TAL, but I remember the commercials when they first came out. Nice to learn the story behind them.

[tacovender26]

haha...i love how so many people listen to this american life! i am following the link ira said he posted. :)

[thefrayforum]

love it, here from TAL

[miamiclay]

Luis, that is amazing. TAL said "(T)he greatest thing that has ever been on television.  It kicks the moon landing's ass."

[blowuptuate]

This American Life is the shizznittle-bam-bizzleton!

[AKAmazikeen]

I'm also here because of TAL. :)

[janajanadana]

TAL, thanks for having a link to this phenomenal performance.

[ayo4kevono]

I watched after I heard about it on TAL too! Cool.

[tatuong]

As heard on TAL... Great show and good commercial

[zaneyi]

Unreal...Also a TAL fan!

[ASEagle64]

I joined the This American Life club also...

[GoVols5150]

wow all of us heard about this on This AmericanLife

[skatesurfslide]

Awesome. Heard it on This American Life too. I like him mixed in with the pros better, because he's the friggin standout of the bunch! HA, pros! You rule the rock, Luis! Take care of yourself

[zenstar23]

very cool

[fraguada]

I dig the shorter version better, can evaluate his skills a bit better than with everyone else. Very fun to watch.

[FreshFr0mDet0x]

That kid is crispy with the rock . . .

[txfireant]

This American Life fan also. This video along with the extended version are "off the chain".

[Airborne101Eagle]

haha, wow this is awesome. I heard about this on This American Life also. This guys really got some skill. Great job.

[williamsrawlinson]

I also found this because of This American Life. De Silva lives up to the hype, and sounds like a good guy. Truly awesome.

[tannerherriott]

thanks This American Life - now I want to see some poker action too.

[angelabest]

Ha, I heard about this on This American Life too. What a GREAT commercial! I loved hearing about his journey to fame. :D

[mossflower44]

I came because of TAL as well. It is so nice to see what they are talking about!

[LisadeFaria]

Ditto TAL led me here. The interview with Trikz was refreshing - simple unabashed amazement at his good fortune - truly sweet. Gotta love both the long and the short - these guys and gals are amazing and you have to admit it's a catchy beat.

[mossflower44]

Everyone definitely go and watch Nike Freestyle (Long Version) it is even better!

[suestew]

I also came here via TAL. I was expecting a bit more since the guy doing the interview with Da Silva said it was the greatest commercial ever made. It's cool - very, very cool but the greatest commercial ever made?

[shytam67]

There is a longer version. This site is showing Luis part in the longer version. I too LOVE This American Life!

[fennyfrenzy]

awesome!

[mwhyte72]

It was another good show for TAL and while I'm not sure where the vitriol towards Trikz comes from, Tyokol, you have to admit that the kid is amazing at what he does.

[Tyokol]

like most things featured in "This American Life", this guy is an overly hyped, glamurized, and romanticized looser. Yes, be obsessive about the things that dont matter so that you become better at it than anyone else. Maybe next time they will feature the national champion of wanking. Practice makes perfect.

[arpad9]

Yes, "This American Life" is actually *about* life's trivialities. Furthermore, how do football, comic books, video games, synchronized swimming, snowboarding or any other form of entertainment "really matter?" Tyokol, you wanker.

[ralphus44]

Tyokol: Wanking? Sounds like you're a man of experience

[scarcastic]

From someone who can't spell "loser". LOL

[eskimoheidi]

Listening to this american life

[kiteracer]

This guy is surely crispy with the rock