Let’s take a close-up look at the LeBron James sneaker Nike doesn’t want you to have.  Ok, so that might be a bit harsh, but the Nike Zoom LBJ Ambassador II ORAP is pretty clear in ending with ‘AP’, which signifies an Asia/Pacific-exclusive drop.  The geographically-limited release is probably the Swoosh’s attempt to do something special while continuing to grow the game of basketball abroad, because we know that these deep blue denim lowtops would play well to the stateside crowd.  And truth be told, resourceful sneakerheads can always get what they need from the ‘bay or forums, so let’s enjoy these photos and you can keep checking Sneaker News for updates.  via NLB

Style:  375508-441
Color:  Midnight Navy/White

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So you remember how upon seeing the Spring 2010 Air Jordan Flight 23s, we mentioned how they’d been gone for a while, save a hybridized version rollin’ on a AJ1 sole?  Enter the Air Jordan Flight 1, which seems to be the most appropriate name for a sneaker that brings the AJIV flare back to ’85.  This pair takes the mashup design a bit further, incorporating the Cleveland colourway that’s central to the Sixty Plus and the collection it spawned, plus an Air Jordan VII-like tongue.  Jordan Brand slated these for a November release, so we’ll keep you posted for the US side of things, and you can get them a bit early from Kinstor.

Style: 372704-144
Color: White/Midnight Navy-Ceramic

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As you’re probably well aware by now, the “Flu Game” edition of the Air Jordan XII will be making its second go-around as a Retro model. Much to the dismay of some collectors, in addition to the new Flu Game graphics that have been included on the new version, the material of the upper has also been switched to suede. While this isn’t as big an issue to some as to others, the change is still very noticeable. Although the switch does give sneakerheads something to complain about, a look at the two previous versions shows that even the 2003 Retro featured some slight differences from the 1997 OG model.

As you can see through these comparison shots, the OG upper was a smooth leather, while the the 2003 Retro model sported a more full-grain pebbled leather look. Aside from the upper material and the special “Flu Game” touches, the only other major change is on the heel. The Jordan branding was Red on the two previous versions, but the new edition uses white Jordan text and a Red “23″ shout-out instead of the Black look of the others. If you’d like to analyze further, you can look through a ton of pics after the jump to see the three different variations, including some looks at even the GS and baby sizes of the OGs.  Via HoopChina.

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New York Knicks forward, Jared Jeffries hasn’t exactly been setting the league ablaze with his play this year. The Knicks are off to a 1-9 start, and despite a lack of substantial playing time in that stretch, Jeffries has been making some noise with his kicks instead. Despite the struggles of Jeffries and his team, he still has his Air Jordan PE’s to take consolation in. Last week, we gave you a look at a fresh pair of Air Jordan XX3 PE’s created for Jeffries, and now we turn our attention to a personalized Air Jordan V well-suited for Knicks away games. The shoe sports a Black nubuck upper with the traditional Red and Silver accents replaced with some touches of Blue Ribbon and Orange Flash (although it looks more Red in these photos). Keep reading for a look at some more pics and stay tuned for more PE heat from Jared Jeffries. Via Shoesholic.

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Vans Vault has celebrated some of the great American pop artists of the last century this year.  There’s no questioning, say, Robert Crumb’s cult status, which is also true of Japanese comics and cartoons in America.  Anime is pretty widespread thanks to Cartoon Network, but there are probably plenty of sneakerheads who aren’t yet aware of  ‘manga’ (Japanese comics), much less its prominent figures.

Much as Vans is shedding light on their chosen artists, exposing them to the younger set, this Nike Hyperize designed by Slam Dunk creator Takehiko Inoue will draw some into the artform.  The kicks themselves actually look more like those ‘china’ plates your grandma won’t let you eat off of, and since these are an Asian-exclusive for the time being, they’re just as hands-off.  via Trendy

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We’re not revisiting Complex.com’s Top 100 list again, although plenty of these scorching selections are in that retrospective.  Instead, this image should give you an idea of what the eBay x DECKSTAR x UNDFTD DJ AM Charity Auction has in store.  Beginning Sunday, new shoes from the late Adam Goldstein’s massive 900+ pair collection will be added to the listings daily, through the first week of December.  Each sale will see 100% of its proceeds benefit the DJ AM Memorial Fund, so you have the opportunity to help a good cause and catch up on some exclusive size 11 (and possibly a few others) heat.  via FRESHNESS

>DJ AM Memorial Fund eBay Page

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We’ve seen this edition of the Air Jordan CP3.III, but those earlier photos belied the complexity of their side panel laser etching.  Chris Paul’s signature shoe in black nubuck, blue and white has the same vaguely baroque coat-of-armor designs as the Chicago-style white leather joints.  Since he plays for the Hornets, not the Bulls, there’s a black pair with New Orleans accents, along with another black pair that doesn’t

When you inspect these photos after the jump, you’ll notice both how much contrast pops from the white joints, and how the speckled midsole sections on both tie the entire designs together.  It’s lookin’ like a January drop for the first two, Hornets colourway in Feb. and the all-blacks in March, as Jordan Brand 2010 releases will be starting strong.  via SC

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If it’s first-come-first-served, go ahead and award the next Project Bluefoot contest to Sneaker News.  Upon hearing that LeBron James plans to change his number to ’6′ in honour of Michael Jordan, we crafted a quick look at what LBJ’s new logo might look like.  Adding New York Knicks colours in another hint of things yet to come, we offered a take on the L23 ‘crown’ logo that incorporates his new number.  The only challenge is that the use of ’23′ lets you incorporate the ‘B’ and ‘J’ in LeBron James, whereas the 6 is somewhat limited in this respect.  Take a look at ours after the jump, and if it inspires you, you can enter the contest before the November 30th deadline.

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If you are one of the many who missed out on scooping up a pair of the eagerly awaited Red Carpet edition of the Air Max LeBron VII, the good news is that there are still some more fresh colorways in the pipeline. Here we have a look at a crisp new version that splits the upper between Black and White in a similar fashion to the Red Carpets. The shoe features smooth White leather around the the toe and lower ankle, with the top half sporting a Black on Black look accented by a White Swoosh and Metallic Gold accents, as well as a healthy dose of Flywire reinforcement. Release information regarding these is still unknown, but stay tuned for more pics and specific details on the drop. Via FatboyKickz.

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That we’re focused on the Air Jordans worn by a guy who doesn’t score much should let you know that something is going on here.  It’s far less crazy that Marcus Jordan is wearing the Air Jordan XI (11) Retro ‘Space Jam’ over six weeks before its retail release than adidas canceling their $3 million contract with the University of Central Florida over Jordan Jr. wearing his legendary dad’s kicks.  Perhaps the craziest part is that this story is generating alot of mainstream press for something about sneakers, so while Jordan Brand is getting some free publicity, we can’t help but wonder if some fans might think adidas rash in their decision.  Photos via Shoesholic

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Of the numbered Flight shoes from Jordan Brand, the Flight 45 High is the hottest right now.  We’d nearly forgotten about the Air Jordan Flight 23, which aside from its mashup with the AJ1 sole, has been conspicuously absent over the last year or so.  Look for that to change as the AJ4-influenced design will return with three drops this spring.  The simpler two in this trio are a white leather pair slated for January and some black nubuck joints for February.  As with the Flight 45 collection for Spring ’10, the hottest one of these might be the tonal grey pair that features quite a lot of perforation.  Enjoy shots of all three after the jump.  via SC

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Dropping this December is GQ Magazine’s “Men of The Year” Issue.  Inside you’ll find some of hip-hop’s heavy hitters in the likes of Wale, Drake and Kid Cudi.  The three of them flossing their own distinctive look, not to mention some heat on their feet.  Wale, whose been the envy of many with his super-early possession of the Dirty Copper Foams, is once again making viewers drool with the Red Supreme Dunk Hi’s, a huge grail for quite a number of sneakerheads.  On the other side, Cudi is wearing a more recent release in the form of the DMP Raptor VII’s.  Drake is wearing something that’s pretty much under the radar to the sneaker world, but undoubtedly steals the photo with his Birdman coat and ear-to-ear grin.  Good looks to NahRight and AllThings-Fresh for the inside look at the spread.

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