Nike reached back into the NBA’s colourful history with their Vinnie ‘The Microwave’ Johnson-inspired Delta Force, and now it’s time to honor another of the Association’s legendary characters.  Another House of Hoops exclusive, the Nike Blazer High pictured above evokes the 70′s heyday of World B. Free.   A prolific scorer in the NBA and USBL, Free is fondly remembered for legally changing his name from Leonard Bernard to World B. in a move that matched his flamboyant playing style.  Featuring a tie-dyed canvas upper with black leather accents and yellow stitching, these joints are set to drop soon.  Stay tuned to Sneaker News for updates, including the release date and more pictures.  via SC

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Vans started using patterned uppers on their slip-ons about five years ago and started a trend that all the big boys now follow.  While it’s not fair to suggest that Nike and others ‘pirated’ Off the Wall’s steez, it’s safe to say that Vans still thinks of themselves as something of an outlaw brand.  The Vans Pirates Pack brings this idea to life with simple black and white renditions of their Chukka and Authentic models.  Both sport white canvas uppers printed with high seas-evoking skulls-and-swords and the classic ‘Vans’ logo.  Some say not to wear white before Labor Day, but if you’re a renegade, you can cop yours now from ABC Mart.

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For those of you who have been counting the days since we confirmed the launch of the Nike Hyperdunk on Nike iD, the moment is finally upon us.  The Nike Hyperdunk, with all of it’s “first of it’s kind” technology and astronomically exponential growth in popularity since it was introduced less than a year ago, will be given to you to design at your own will.  Nike iD will be making the Hyperdunk available in so many forms (i.e. clear outsole or solid outsole, graphics or no graphics) that it might be hard to just design one. The wait is over, so go ahead and try your hand at a Nike Hyperdunk iD by clicking the links below.

> Nike Hyperdunk iD – Clear Outsole
> Nike Hyperdunk iD – Solid Outsole

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A new year has begun since the last we’ve heard about Paul Rodriguez’a third signature shoe (the Nike SB Zoom P-Rod III), but news and pictures have finally become available giving us a clearer picture of the shoes updated characteristics.   First off, the shoe looks very little like the sample pair we saw last November as it looks like it welded all the parts of the sample into a more cohesive shoe.  This colorway is called midnight fog/sport red and comes with a nice mixture of suede and smooth leather.  As always, there looks the be plenty of Zoom Air support in the heel and the tongue looks like it might not be as thick as we are used to seeing on P-Rod’s shoes.  For right now, these are scheduled to drop sometime this October, but we’ll keep you posted on further developments.  via NikeSB.org

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Photo via Proper

We hate to keep doing this to you, but it is not our fault that the folks producing all the sneakers lately have come up with some fire that will be leaving red hot burning holes in your wallets, even if you can limit yourself to just a handful of pairs this Spring.  Nike Sportswear is not making the decision-making any easier as it looks a fresh water themed pack is making it’s way into stores, featuring a complimentary duo of an Air Max 95 and the highly anticipated Air Griffey Max 1.

The colors on this Air Max 95 are probably recognizable by most sneaker heads as it is one of the more classic color-combos seen on the Air Max 95, the fresh-water theme especially.  And the Griffey Max 1?  Well no matter what color, the Air Griffey will always pull the heartstrings as the retro has been a long time coming.  Both of the models should be available in the coming weeks, if not already, at Nike Sportswear retailers such as Proper.

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It’s always nice when sneaker collections can affect the greater good.  An icon of footwear perhaps even more than as a tennis pro, Stan Smith recently toured Asia as part of adidas’ 60th Anniversary celebration.  Whilst in Taiwan, he signed ten pairs of the original white/green colourway of the adidas Originals Stan Smith 80.  Sold at the O-Store in Taipei for a hefty premium ($12,140 TWD or  ~$350 USD) and encased in a plexiglass box atop a tennis court platform, proceeds from these joints went to benefit the Taiwan Foundation for Rare Disorders (TFRD).  Good luck getting your own pair, but check the close-ups after the jump if you’re feelin’ ‘em.  via adiFans

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Vans Vault is all about transmuting Off the Wall’s classic skate/surf sensibility into more grown up releases.  With this new pair, it appears that the Era model has grown a bit taller.  The Vans Vault Aion LX features similar construction to the aforementioned classic, rising one eyelets higher and topped with an embossed leather collar.  The upper features a leather or suede toe and the rest is patterned textile.

For the joints with the black suede toe, their contrast comes in the form of a black on black plaid, distinguishable by texture rather than contrasting weaves.  The other two pairs have brown toes:  light brown leather features an earthy tartan plaid, while the chocolate brown suede joints rock a tonal checkerboard.  All three have a skull-and-roses imprint reminiscent of the November Rain Dunks, ride vulcanized rubber soles and are available at Vault retailers like Flauge.

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Unless you are standing on line outside of House of Hoops in Harlem right now, you will probably not be getting a pair of Kryptonate Foamposite Lite’s tomorrow. Take some consolation in the fact that after a look at these pics, you will know before many of tomorrow’s would be purchasers that the retail version has a slight variation from the pair that Nate made infamous in Phoenix. The “K” in the Superman-inspired crest on the side of the upper has been replaced by “NR”, presumably for copyright reasons.

Changes or not, Krypto-mania is already in full swing up in Harlem and the event will definitely be getting even crazier when the man behind the phenomenon, Nate Robinson, will be stopping by to check out the scene and mingle with devoted line-goers. There is also a very special St. Patty’s Day surprise in store for the dedicated mobs that are going all out to get these hot commodities as we speak. If you are in the neighborhood, you might want to check out the show, but don’t expect to get lucky and scoop up a pair. These will be gone as fast as House of Hoops can ring them up.

Nate Robinson @ House of Hoops Harlem
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
4:00 – 5:30 PM ET

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Just a couple of days ago we showed you two pairs of Air Jordan XX3s made specifically and exclusively for Carmelo Anthony, who is on Jordan Brand’s roster and seems to get some of the dopest Air Jordan player exclusives.  Moving on up in 2009 is not only Melo’s performance, but also his ever-growing supply of Air Jordan PEe, which is starting to include the freshly minted Air Jordan 2009.  Melo’s Air Jordan 2009 PE comes in what we assume to be a Denver Nuggets home colorway of white/university blue – yellow.  The university blue is used to accent the mid-sole and the patent leather around the ankle/heel area while yellow is subtly used on the shoe’s stitching and heel tab.  Also, without fail, printed onto the tongue tab is Melo’s number 15 as opposed to the usual 23. Like most player exclusives, these are not slated for release, may reach the hands of a few resellers in the near future.  Either way, we’ll  be sure to keep you posted.  via TREPEL//NikeTalk

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We showed you a shiny pair of adidas Superstars a few days back, but these have some *real* bling.  Featuring six small diamonds inset between the signature Three Stripes along with Swarovski crystal-studded lacelocks, the adidas Superstar ’80s Diamond Edition will blind any and all haters.  The simple white and black colourway does well to balance out the shine, while the included jewelry bag and magnet-clasp box will keep em safe.  Extremely limited, these are available now at Xcitizm.  via SnkrFrkr

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A few weeks back, we gave you a look at Lacoste’s upcoming “Crocodile Mythology – Myth vs. Legend” collection and now we have some new info on the story behind the Tiller Egypt model.  Lacoste will explore the roots of its brand logo with nine total sneakers in the collection, each inspired by crocodile legends from all over the world. This first installment is based on Egyptian mythology and uses colors and style elements which are tied to the stories and the region. Check out the descriptive info below, detailing the symbolism behind several design elements of the shoe.  Look for this to begin hitting select Lacoste retailers in the very near future. via SneakerFreaker.

“The Tiller was inspired by ancient Egyptian culture, tribes and architecture. The most notable of which is the pyramid design on the side and insock of the shoe. The colouring of the upper is representative of the Nile crocodile. The jagged white stitching on the toe of the shoe replicates the crocodiles deadly sharp teeth.”

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2009 All Star Game Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson is towering 80 feet high above 34h Street and 7th Avenue in the heart of Manhattan in anticipation of St Patrick’s Day and the release of the Nike Foamposite Lite Kryptonate Edition tomorrow. A large crowd is already gathered outside House of Hoops Harlem and Niketown New York and with Nate Robinson and even Spike Lee making an at House of Hoops Harlem, getting a pair should be much harder at this point. If you are in are near 34th Street, stop by and check out the billboard.

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