The Crew For HBO’s ‘Ballers’ Totally Sets A Real Connection To A Growing Las Vegas

Photo Credit: Ural Garrett for Okayplayer

Las Vegas is at a cultural crossroads at the moment and HBO’s Ballers connects itself strongly to the developing changes in Sin City.

Las Vegas is at a cultural crossroads at the moment. The real estate market has changed enough for serious residential development where the average median sales price of a home is well under half a million. Add an even lower average renters and it makes sense for thousands of Southern California residents to call it their new home. Nightlife has gotten a little more well rounded from the EDM bubble burst to rappers enjoying residencies. Makes sense as to why having a $2 billion dollar stadium in the making for the post-Oakland Raiders is becoming the proverbial icing on the cake.

Ironically, it just so happens that the upcoming season of HBO’s over-the-top comedy-drama Ballers features lead character Spencer Strasmore (played by a charming Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) attempting to bring an NFL team to Las Vegas. Speaking with the executive producer of the football inspired series Stephen Levinson at a pop-up shop in Los Angeles’ Wilshire district, he said the script was done before the announcement was made.

“People are going to have to watch very closely because I think we were ahead of it when we wrote it,” said Levinson. “I don’t wanna give anything away but that’s one part of what the season is about. I think it reflects it and is in tuned with what’s going on. At least from what I read.”

Ballers Season Three also introduces some new cast members including Kris D. Lofton (Hardball and Meet The Browns) as Kisan, a running-back from the Miami Dolphins, who could be best described as Allen Iverson meets a pre-dogfighting Michael Vick.

“I’m that bad boy from the hoods of Miami who's hanging with the same hood dudes I shouldn’t be around,” explained Lofton. “I just don’t know how to do it yet. I bring the hood flair, realness that a show like this needs.”

Lofton joins returning cast members who were in attendance including Omar Miller (Charles Greane), Donovan Carter (Vernon Littlefield) and others who also attended the event. During a quick chat with Miller, he spoke on what to expect from Charles this season.

“My guy evolves and I feel like I have the best character on the show because my guy is really relatable,” continued Miller, also best known for his role in 8 Mile besides Eminem. “A lot of the former NFL guys have come over and told me how much they appreciate my character in regards to dealing with retirement.”

Keeping up with the ultra luxurious and gaudy nature of the show, the pop-up store featured co-branded items with Pyer Moss, Buscemi, Hall of Fame and Roc96 X MadeWorn fronted by Roc-A-Fella co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke.

“Like I said, we’re the original ballers,” said Burke. “When you think about the ballers in the entertainment industry and the lifestyle you think Roc-A-Fella. It’s about how they play into my lifestyle and not how I play into theirs.”

And, Okayplayer couldn't leave without getting his thoughts on Jay-Z’s modern opus, 4:44.

“I think it’s Jay’s dopest album that he’s ever made,” said Biggs.

Check out the images from the Ballers pop-up event below: