Actor Joseph Sikora, renowned for his role as Tommy Egan in Power Book IV: Force, made a return to New York City to visit Flub for a sneaker shopping segment with Complex, where he shared gritty stories of growing up in Chicago, his surprising history with Michael Jordan, and his relationship with the Power universe. Sikora, who felt good to be back in NYC because it "feels like home", confirmed he was "buying sneakers" that day.
The story of Joseph Sikora's early sneaker life began on the northwest side of Chicago, where his family would drive all the way to Kenosha, Wisconsin, specifically to the Nike outlets. They sought out B-grades, which were shoes with a "blemish" where "something was a little off," a major factor at the outlets because they were "cheaper even at the outlet". This offered the "double whammy of cheap shoes". Sikora recalled that when Jordans first came out at 100, the B−grade version could be found at the outlet for just "29.99". His mother even found a "hack" for the system: if a shoe malfunctioned, like a "popped the air bubble," they would write a letter to Nike, who would "send you a new pair of shoes". Sikora thanked the company, suggesting they were "just saying 'Hey thanks for being an upstanding company'".
Growing up in Chicago during the "peak Jordan era", Sikora noted the intense cultural environment, particularly "how expensive the shoes were" and how "people were getting shoes stolen from them". More critically, he highlighted the significance of "gang affiliations in Chicago," where the red and the blue colors were associated with gangs, mirroring issues seen in Los Angeles. If someone wore specific colors, people would ask, "What you be about?". Sikora’s response aligns with his on-screen persona of living in "shades of gray": "I'm neutral man, I'm just trying to get to the trying to get to that".
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Joseph Sikora's history with Michael Jordan is extensive. He was in a McDonald's commercial with Jordan, filmed around 1989, where Sikora, who had "beautiful blonde hair back then," was "mind-blowing" meeting Jordan, who seemed like a "cartoon so long". Years later, Sikora was working security for a friend at a Chicago club called Le P and was "assigned to Jordan". He admitted he was "so bad at my job" because he let "beautiful women" approach Jordan. Jordan told him, "yo man you were terrible at your job," which Sikora confessed was true. He regrets not mentioning their commercial connection to Jordan during that encounter. Sikora later asked his current boss, 50 Cent, if he was a better boss than Jordan, and 50 Cent is "probably a better boss than MJ period," though Sikora argues "50 is a goat to me too".
On the topic of iconic sneakers, Sikora fondly recalled the Tommy Fors. Created by Richie Rich out of Philly, Sikora bought them on discount at Zair, finding they were a "great shoe" because they were "multi-purpose," allowing him to skateboard and play basketball. He was surprised to learn that in 2023, the Jordan 4 was remade into a specialized skateboard shoe using SB technology, joking, "Maybe they were clocking you and your brother". He also expressed his affection for the casual Stan Smith, calling it a "classic sneaker" with a "nice flat bottom". Sikora affirmed his appreciation for a practice in sneaker culture called the "tongue fuck," which involves rocking the tongues out.
Bringing the conversation back to Power, the shopping took place at Flight Club, the exact location where Ghost and Angela were seen buying shoes for Tariq in Season 5. Sikora joked that Tommy was so "incensed" by Angela's "bad shoes" that he "ended up having to kill her". He called his boss, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the "best boss I've ever had in my life". He recalled 50 Cent giving him a hug before Power even started, saying, "Yo man we're so lucky to have you". Sikora considers 50 Cent a "goat" due to his musical talent and also views him as a soothsayer because he predicted the show would run for "Seven" seasons; it ran for six and a half.
When asked about the biggest sneakerhead in the entire Power universe, Sikora immediately named Anthony Fleming III, who plays his brother JP in Power Book IV: Force, saying Fleming "rocks them hard" and "takes it seriously". Sikora concluded the segment by guaranteeing an "incredible third season" of Power Book IV: Force, promising it will be "more violent, sexier" and "undeniably the best season" yet.
Joseph Sikora finished the day by purchasing $1,964 worth of shoes, primarily as gifts. He bought a pair of red Jordan 4s for himself, Bape Sambas for his brother, ASICS for his friend Renee Castillo, Metallic Silver Cracked sneakers for his wife, and Shattered Backboards for Anthony Fleming III, noting he got them because Fleming is a Bears fan and a Chicago native.
