Ericly Later'd

[sleepypancakes]

Reynolds and Koston are two different personalities, but I would think that more skaters could relate to an Andrew Reynolds type. I don't know if Reynolds went to skate camp, but that shit is lame in my eyes. Most people don't grow up with a quarter pipe in their driveway (at least no one had one where I grew up) and it doesn't seem like Reynolds did either. Most people do ride the jock of some sports franchise, so maybe that's why more longevity based skaters "root" for Eric Koston. I think the dude seems like a jock and a jerk. Hell, I would be lying if I said that I didn't dig Koston when I was growing up, but I've seen what he was, has become and seems to be and I don't like it. The basketball shoes and the complete dick suck for some basketball team solidify my point. Fuck, I might be going overboard here, but I think Reynolds personifies skateboarding to a much higher degree. My argument may be full of holes, but I just knocked back a couple of cold ones after work and I need to skate! Much love for all skaters, but discussion promotes progression.

The only thing that you're promoting is an unhealthy disdain for interests outside of skateboarding. Just because someone is a sports fan and likes shoes other than skate shoes doesn't mean anything. You're one of the super hard edged "core" dudes I'm sure. The fact is that this close-mindedness is plaguing skateboarding and we need to learn that there is other shit in the world. I am a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan, does that make me a jock? No. I played varsity soccer for 4 years in high school, does that make me a jock? No. Jock is more of a mentality than specific contributing factors. Koston did NOT grow up in a wealthy family as was illustrated here, you can build a quarter pipe pretty easily. He got extraordinarily lucky by meeting Eddie Elguera yes, but that doesn't mean Koston is unrelatable. I can relate to somethings Koston does more so than Andrew Reynolds and vice versa. Saying that you can't relate to someone because they like the Lakers and some basketball shoes means only one thing, that you cannot accept the fact that even pro skateboarders, the ones who get paid to skateboard as a career, may also have other interests than skateboarding.

Breath, and /rant

[escapistfool]

Reynolds and Koston are two different personalities, but I would think that more skaters could relate to an Andrew Reynolds type. I don't know if Reynolds went to skate camp, but that shit is lame in my eyes. Most people don't grow up with a quarter pipe in their driveway (at least no one had one where I grew up) and it doesn't seem like Reynolds did either. Most people do ride the jock of some sports franchise, so maybe that's why more longevity based skaters "root" for Eric Koston. I think the dude seems like a jock and a jerk. Hell, I would be lying if I said that I didn't dig Koston when I was growing up, but I've seen what he was, has become and seems to be and I don't like it. The basketball shoes and the complete dick suck for some basketball team solidify my point. Fuck, I might be going overboard here, but I think Reynolds personifies skateboarding to a much higher degree. My argument may be full of holes, but I just knocked back a couple of cold ones after work and I need to skate! Much love for all skaters, but discussion promotes progression.

The only thing that you're promoting is an unhealthy disdain for interests outside of skateboarding. Just because someone is a sports fan and likes shoes other than skate shoes doesn't mean anything. You're one of the super hard edged "core" dudes I'm sure. The fact is that this close-mindedness is plaguing skateboarding and we need to learn that there is other shit in the world. I am a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan, does that make me a jock? No. I played varsity soccer for 4 years in high school, does that make me a jock? No. Jock is more of a mentality than specific contributing factors. Koston did NOT grow up in a wealthy family as was illustrated here, you can build a quarter pipe pretty easily. He got extraordinarily lucky by meeting Eddie Elguera yes, but that doesn't mean Koston is unrelatable. I can relate to somethings Koston does more so than Andrew Reynolds and vice versa. Saying that you can't relate to someone because they like the Lakers and some basketball shoes means only one thing, that you cannot accept the fact that even pro skateboarders, the ones who get paid to skateboard as a career, may also have other interests than skateboarding.

Breath, and /rant

Agreed, pancakes.
It's just sports, I don't get why you would make a big deal out of that. Let Koston fan out on his favorite teams, does that affect his skating? No.

[cornholio]

Its apples to oranges. Thats pretty much it, both are amazing at what they do.

[Suit Up!]

Its apples to oranges. Thats pretty much it, both are amazing at what they do.

Thats it, thats all.

[Box of Frogs]

Just going to leave my favorite Koston part here

Eric Koston	Small | Large

[realitycontrol]

if you cant tell which dude is more talented at operating a skateboard, you haven't really been around that long. start watching videos in the early 90s and work your way up until the present day. pay specific attention to what types of tricks are done, and also take into account who skated more diverse terrain.

[sluggers]

Holy shit, did you see all the books Koston had on his shelves?

The dude sucks and is so not core. How could he have Truman Capote's In Cold Blood on his shelf!

[The Ghost of Lenny Kirk]

wooow. Haha. Reynolds is definitely up on that same "level" but for other reasons. Hes basically going bigger and getting better as hes aged and its the exact opposite with koston. In 2012 when i think of pinnacle gap skating i think of reynolds. Koston hasnt been "that guy" since yeah right dropped. i could definitely say the same for rails and for ledges too. Koston is still legendary its just not the same in 2012. Koston was the first dude to really have that kill-everything style. You cant have your p rods shane oniells torey or cory kennedys without him. Thats the koston style. Destroy all with the craziest shit.

[Front Crooks]

Pretty much agree with Gino starting at 0:52 in this

Nike SB Transmit: Gino Iannucci, part 2

I like Reynold's and Koston. 

[Beeda Weeda]

they are both up there, koston has set thestandard for soo much skating, ledges, rails, gaps and  manuals, pretty much most modern street skating, reynolds is gap and stair skting, nobody touches his longevity. They are both up there, but they are different skates, with differnt styles
dont makes this a debate of who is better because o'dell didnt roll it off his tounge perfectly. they both rule.

[donnie_murdo]

They are both really different in every aspect - however, who i can actually imagine skating with Reynolds and being covered in dirt, sweating, bleeding, sitting on the curb laughing about slamming and having fun and not taking it seriously and just being stoked on actually skating - rather than, "well jobs done, off home for a new outfit

I know that's just the "style" and personality of individuals - but Reynolds comes over as a "skaters" skater, still with that element of "grem" being stoked on anything skate related - blue collar, working at it, if you will

Koston on the other hand gives me that white collar mentality of this is my job, and i'll do it well, but once this shift is done, i'll get a latte, then golf for an hour, rather than, skate till i'm broken, then go home and watch some skate vids

[Sleazy]

Reynolds and Koston are two different personalities, but I would think that more skaters could relate to an Andrew Reynolds type. I don't know if Reynolds went to skate camp, but that shit is lame in my eyes. Most people don't grow up with a quarter pipe in their driveway (at least no one had one where I grew up) and it doesn't seem like Reynolds did either. Most people do ride the jock of some sports franchise, so maybe that's why more longevity based skaters "root" for Eric Koston. I think the dude seems like a jock and a jerk. Hell, I would be lying if I said that I didn't dig Koston when I was growing up, but I've seen what he was, has become and seems to be and I don't like it. The basketball shoes and the complete dick suck for some basketball team solidify my point. Fuck, I might be going overboard here, but I think Reynolds personifies skateboarding to a much higher degree. My argument may be full of holes, but I just knocked back a couple of cold ones after work and I need to skate! Much love for all skaters, but discussion promotes progression.

The only thing that you're promoting is an unhealthy disdain for interests outside of skateboarding. Just because someone is a sports fan and likes shoes other than skate shoes doesn't mean anything. You're one of the super hard edged "core" dudes I'm sure. The fact is that this close-mindedness is plaguing skateboarding and we need to learn that there is other shit in the world. I am a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan, does that make me a jock? No. I played varsity soccer for 4 years in high school, does that make me a jock? No. Jock is more of a mentality than specific contributing factors. Koston did NOT grow up in a wealthy family as was illustrated here, you can build a quarter pipe pretty easily. He got extraordinarily lucky by meeting Eddie Elguera yes, but that doesn't mean Koston is unrelatable. I can relate to somethings Koston does more so than Andrew Reynolds and vice versa. Saying that you can't relate to someone because they like the Lakers and some basketball shoes means only one thing, that you cannot accept the fact that even pro skateboarders, the ones who get paid to skateboard as a career, may also have other interests than skateboarding.

Breath, and /rant

i don't want to make to big a presumtion here but it might be a generation thing. i also felt the same way about koston for a long time because i grew up in the era where skaters were mostly outcast from broken homes who where harassed and bullied by jocks. it's not some far fetched thing to be put off by skaters that are into sports in the same way it's not to much of a stretch to not like casper for having a rollerblade background. it's the same kind of logic just applied in a different way. in my world view, basebal is lamer than rollerblading, especially just sitting around watching it in a sports bar with the bros. i can't imagine a more annoying and boring experience for me personally. one of my most awkward experiences professionally was backing out of a company event where they wanted to bring the whole team to an astros game. i created awkwardness at my job because i dislike baseball and the whole jock vibe that much. but i'm sure there are plenty of people who feel the same way about the artistic skaterboarder, pile, stoney, etc... shit's really diverse now and we all have our prerferences. but i think it's a bit of a reach to try and discount these type of preferences as being shallow as most skaters hold them in one way or another.

that said, koston won me over with his fully flared part. bringing PE back that way gives you a jock pass in my book. it was honestly my favorite part in fully flared. and i'd guess that by the end of the series i'll realize that i missed out on some really interesting skating because i was so put off by the jockish aspects of koston's personality.

Eric Koston - Fully Flared - Lakai	Small | Large

part still gets me hyped and i really wasn't a fan of fully flared.

[Max Power]

I guess its all about perspective.  If we're talking about who is more bro/jock/macho or whatever, I see Reynolds as being way more of the captain of the frat house than Eric who I see as more of just a normal nerdy skate dude.  I've never met either of them though. 

If we're talking about skating.  Just check Koston's resume.  I'd probably say he is the greatest all-around skater of all time.  To use the analogy someone else did, he is the Micheal Jordan of skating. 

Reynold's is great too.  Got one of the best styles of all time.  One of, if not the best, at jumping down stuff.       

Normally, I'm not into these type of comparisons but when you're comparing someone who has everything and did it all first, to someone who has great style and is the best at a certain kind of skating, the outcome seems kinda obvious...

[thugnificent]

one of my most awkward experiences professionally was backing out of a company event where they wanted to bring the whole team to an astros game.

the nerve of some people!

[Sleazy]

the nerve of me or the nerve of them?

imagine getting invited to a company event where you need to meet up at 3pm and then wont get back till 9pm and you are all going to the ballet (or some other lame ass activity that you would hate sitting through). that's a big chunk of your off time dedicated to something you don't enjoy.

but the point is that not everyone likes sports and there nothing wrong with thinking that shits lame. just like there's nothing wrong with thinking rollerbladding and scooters are lame activites.

[thugnificent]

i dont like baseball at all, but if my employer wants to take me to a mlb game on their dime, you're damn skippy i'll be there

[Random Matt]

Yeah, but it was a free Astros game.

[brent]

i would only go if it were a giants game and i would even wear my giants hat

[neon blitz]

having no interests outside of skating is cool when your ten, people get older and care less what people like half the dudes on these forums think...ARSENAL F.C all day

[360 frip]

The jock thing is irrelevant.

I'd put Creager, Daewon, Wray and Koston way above Reynolds. I suppose it is all an opinion but I can't really see it. He seems behind Kirchart too in the style of skating he is known for.

I know it's apples and oranges, but seriously, your orange isn't even in the same grocery store.

[thugnificent]

wray and creager above reynolds?

[via]

Wray was the Reynolds of his time. Skateboarding was a lot smaller, so the superstardom wasn't the same... but in terms of progression and being "that guy", Wray is for sure right up there with Reynolds, and maybe above in some peoples eyes. But that would also be largely attributed to the generation gap.

Just pointing that out for the sake of pointing it out, though. I'm not saying who is where on some list... can't really have a bad word to say about any of these guys.

[Sleazy]

having no interests outside of skating is cool when your ten, people get older and care less what people like half the dudes on these forums think...ARSENAL F.C all day

i don't think anyone thinks that you shouldn't have any interests outside of skating but i think we all bring some preconcieved ideas to the table when you find out about someones hobbies. your going to get a different mental picture from someone whose into theather than you would from someone who likes football. imagine going to dinner and that's all you have to go on about your wife's friends husband, they like X. you'd come in with some ideas about what your getting into. it's silly to pretend that those associations don't exist or that you are somehow above them. and at least at my age, i rarely find myself hanging out with guys either at work or outside of work who are in the golf, american sports, hunting group. that's, generally speaking, the business side of the house (good old boys, managers and sales guys) and not the side that i work on. you find socer, rugby, hockey, ect... on my side but just not the ones i listed. it's not like i'm vibing, i'm just not into it the same way that they aren't into skating.

[Fongstarr.]

So where do you guys put Heath in this whole picture? Heath is one of those skaters that never gets hated on but I always found him way below all "the legends" or at least Koston and Reynolds. I even like the old Flip riders more then Heath but I wouldn't go as far as saying Apples or Arto are legends. Maybe Rowley but that's just my opinion anyways.

[JyNx]

where's the like button out this bitch?

[Fenzadill]

Most people don't grow up with a quarter pipe in their driveway (at least no one had one where I grew up) and it doesn't seem like Reynolds did either.  

That was Eddie E's driveway but those were just the times. Not some silver spoon bullshit. Everyone I skated with would just go raid construction sites and build shit, it was a carry over from the jump ramp era.

Yeah, building a little quarterpipe is super inexpensive

[chockfullofthat]

So where do you guys put Heath in this whole picture? Heath is one of those skaters that never gets hated on but I always found him way below all "the legends" or at least Koston and Reynolds. I even like the old Flip riders more then Heath but I wouldn't go as far as saying Apples or Arto are legends. Maybe Rowley but that's just my opinion anyways.

Good point.  I think it's hard to separate skaters like Heath, Arto, Reynolds, Rowley and Appleyard...but when you look at Koston he can just skate any way he wants.  Koston is the original "complete" street skater.  They are all legends though.

[Ronald Wilson Reagan]

Koston's footy for fully flared was anything but old as far as I remember. Didn't he get on the team just a few months before the video came out and throw together a lot of amazing footage in the last minute? That epicly later'd with him trying the fakie 360 flip lipslide was nutty.

I guess its all about perspective.  If we're talking about who is more bro/jock/macho or whatever, I see Reynolds as being way more of the captain of the frat house than Eric who I see as more of just a normal nerdy skate dude.  I've never met either of them though. 

If we're talking about skating.  Just check Koston's resume.  I'd probably say he is the greatest all-around skater of all time.  To use the analogy someone else did, he is the Micheal Jordan of skating. 

Reynold's is great too.  Got one of the best styles of all time.  One of, if not the best, at jumping down stuff.       

Normally, I'm not into these type of comparisons but when you're comparing someone who has everything and did it all first, to someone who has great style and is the best at a certain kind of skating, the outcome seems kinda obvious...

I agree with this fully. The dude did a tailgrab 540 on vert! He basically kills everything in every way.
The way you can really tell how sick he is at skating is by looking at his "goofing around" footage and photos, almost all of which I could never even dream of doing on my best day.
Exhibit A:

Eric Koston	Small | Large

Also, as subjective as style is, I love Koston's style, its all energetic and playful looking, kind of the opposite of the robot look without being sloppy at the same time.

Did anybody see the Oakley ad at the beginning and think "Oakley: wear these glasses, fall on yo' asses"

[Box of Frogs]

Most people don't grow up with a quarter pipe in their driveway (at least no one had one where I grew up) and it doesn't seem like Reynolds did either.  

That was Eddie E's driveway but those were just the times. Not some silver spoon bullshit. Everyone I skated with would just go raid construction sites and build shit, it was a carry over from the jump ramp era.

Yeah, building a little quarterpipe is super inexpensive

Its free if you do as he said, raid construction sites which pretty much every skater have done at some point in their lifes

[360 frip]

So where do you guys put Heath in this whole picture? Heath is one of those skaters that never gets hated on but I always found him way below all "the legends" or at least Koston and Reynolds. I even like the old Flip riders more then Heath but I wouldn't go as far as saying Apples or Arto are legends. Maybe Rowley but that's just my opinion anyways.

Good point.  I think it's hard to separate skaters like Heath, Arto, Reynolds, Rowley and Appleyard...but when you look at Koston he can just skate any way he wants.  Koston is the original "complete" street skater.  They are all legends though.

I suppose a lot of this is timing. I'd put people like Daewon, Creager and Wray in a different bracket to Reynolds because they did a lot of things which had never been done and really helped define street skating. Kirchart too was the first to really push the envelope (flipping into rails etc).
Reynolds just carried on from what Penny and Wray started.