New Balance is no stranger to military-themed collaborations.  In fact, one of their hottest Japan-exclusives from last year was the ‘Full Metallic Jacket Pack’ that brought Stussy and (mad)hectic together with NB’s tag-team partner on the above pictured pair.  This new UNDEFEATED x New Balance 1500 ‘Operation Desert Storm’ is hotter than a cruise missile impact thanks to a very impressive tonal brown suede colorway with *just* enough red, white and blue hits.  These joints just touched down with three different lace choices and a camo cinch bag at select New Balance retailers including Caliroots’ Six Feet Down.

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It was a bittersweet moment for Nike Basketball; on one end, Kobe Bryant moved on to the West Finals and had a commemorative package of his shoes release, while LeBron James was sent home early pondering his future destination. Sneaker News continued with exclusive Jordan Brand coverage, showing you first looks at the upcoming Jordan AIRS and Grown and a kids colorway of the Rare Air. Speaking of rare Air, one avid collector showed us his AJKO collection by comparing an original pair with the Retro, while another showed his customized AJVI Lakers. Also causing some eyes to pop out was a new colorway and design of an AJF Fusion and super-bright and fuzzy pair of sample SB Dunks, only to have our attention stolen by two women, one scantily clad and other completely in the nude. Wrapping up this strong week was a second look at the Cough Drop Foamposite One and fresh look at the upcoming Pearl Foamposite Pro. There’s a ton more to see, with Celebs, NBA ballers, and other kicks, so stop in and check out what you might’ve missed.

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It seems like since his first day in the NBA, Kobe Bryant has been accused of wanting to “Be Like Mike” a little too much, but who doesn’t? There’s nothing wrong with wishing to emulate the greatest of all time, but at times, it seems as if Kobe’s desires to do so have not always been very subtle. Kobe may be catching up to Jordan in rings, but most NBA fans aren’t quite ready to put them on the same level of greatness just yet. While it’s an honor to even be brought up in the same sentence as Michael Jordan, many of Kobe’s detractors have long been pointing out just how far Kobe goes to try to mimic his Airness. This collection of photos helps to point out some undeniable similarities in the aesthetics of both Michael and Kobe’s games. Some things like driving to the hoop or shooting a jumper are pretty standard, but it’s still eerie to see just how spot on some of the comparisons are. It’s pretty safe to say that there will never be another Michael Jordan, but it seems Kobe has been doing a pretty good job of recreating some of his b-ball attributes on the court. Keep reading for a side by side look at KB doing his best MJ over the years. Via tom.com.

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It’s only the 5th month of the year and we’re prepping for yet another Air Jordan VI Retro. Varsity Red, Motorsports, Oreo, and Pistons dropped (and we didn’t even include the GS sizes), and it’s fitting that the Lakers colorway would be dropped during the middle of the NBA Playoff hoopla. At first the all-black upper seems pretty simple but a 3M upper and purple/yellow contrast stitching make these a very unique Air Jordan. Some went as far as removing the stitching to create an all-black upper as shown in yesterday’s Blacked-Out Air Jordan VI, but Laker fans are probably fine with the way they are. The Air Jordan VI Lakers will officially release tomorrow at Jordan retailers like Extra Butter or try your luck on eBay.

Style: 384664-002
Color: Black/Varsity Purple-Varsity Maize

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Right on the heels of the Omega Pack Air Maxim 1′s comes the original form of AM1′s of the same pack.  We actually got a heads up on these when samples popped up on eBay about a month ago.  Looks like not much has changed for the final output; a tasty combo of nubuck with mesh, both on strong colorways of black/yellow and navy/red/cream- both offset by the white midsole.  No exact release date yet, but expect these for the Fall.  Stay tuned for more details and images.

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This might be one of the very few instances in which silver comes ahead of gold. The original Silver/Red colorway of the Nike Air Max 97 might be the most popular and most recognized of the 97, but the Gold colorway is also another favorite. Metallic colorways just seem to perform well on the Nike Air Max 97, which in itself has a very futuristic design. Last retroed in 2005 and earlier in the decade in Europe, this colorway will arrive in time for the Fall 2010 season. Check out the images after the jump and let us know if this Gold colorway is a must-cop for you.

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Sneakerheads got a full serving of 90′s Nike Basketball when Nike retroed the Air Total Max Uptempo last year. We still have the Air Total Max Uptempo Air Attack ahead of us, but what lies ahead for the Fall 2010 season will really have you pumping your fists. The Nike Air Max Uptempo 97 is set to release in the Fall 2010 season in two sick colorways that some of you might hold dear to your heart. Don’t worry if your later-90′s life starts flashing before your eyes, because that usually happens when one of the craziest basketball shoe designs in Nike history becomes available. Continue reading for a better look and let us know which pair you’ll add to your must-cop list for the summer months.

Color: Black/Varsity Red-Metallic Silver

Color: White/College Navy-Black

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Everywhere you look, there’s a lightweight solution to what was on the Seven.

That’s how Nike Basketball designer Jason Petrie explains LeBron James’ switch from the Nike Air Max LeBron VII to the lighter, slimmer LeBron VII PS.  In a video interview with Nick DePaula of Sole Collector, Petrie goes on to show how the L7PS took the AML7′s grind-out-the-regular-season feel and carved it down to something straight to the point for the playoffs.  You’ll notice how the L7PS uses synthetic materials that are lighter than the AML7′s leather, not to mention a sneak peak of what looks to be the Dunkman LeBron VII PS, plus another in a hot grey/orange colorup.  King James season may be over, but you can learn more about the shoe that was designed for a Finals run, in the full video that awaits you after the jump.

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He’s one of the respected elders of our sneakerhead community, but DJ Clark Kent has made more of a splash by leaking photos of other shoes, than his own designs for Nike of late.  Here’s a look at a sample pair of Nike Air Force 25 Lows that has an undeniable New York feel to it. That’s thanks to the mix of navy blue, white and silver that makes up about half of the design, with the other half done in a black leather that manages to hold its own in the presence of the navy parts, thanks to those transitional colors in between. However, this pair was not designed by DJ Clark Kent. Perhaps a custom with DJCK’s emblem embroidered on the tongue? We know Clark Kent has some tricks up his sleeve, but this particular pair was not one of them. Check out images of this sample/custom after the jump. via Kenlu.

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Steve Nash and the Suns have risen like a Phoenix from the rubble of a Shaq-tastic playoff miss last year and appear to be poised to offer the top-seeded LA Lakers a run for their money in the Western Conference Finals.  Whether he does it in the Cradle Rock or these new Nike Hyperdunk Low PEs, you know Nash is gonna be running the point in some fly lowtops.  Pictured above is the HD Low Away PE, which nicely blends the Suns’ palette into a mostly-black design thanks to multicolored Flywire strands and a speckled midsole.  Check out more images after the jump and cop a pair of these today from Kix-Files.

Style: 386424-006
Color: Black/Varsity Purple-Orange Blaze

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The resiliency of the Nike Air Max 90 is applaudable; it’s been twisted, transplanted, facelifted, and completely made over, but the silhouette lives on. This latest Nike Sportstwear classic features a next-gen infusion of a hybrid Free-90 sole seen on the Air Max 90 Flywire and Current Moire but now showcases the uber-breathable Torch 3-layer material. Torch has now made its way to the Nike Air Classic BW, Air Max 1, and now on the Air Max 90. What could be next? Can you picture an Air Max 95 Torch? Check out these new images of the Nike Air Max 90 Current Torch and pick up a pair now from Schuh-You.

Style: 395772-001
Color: Black/Matte Silver-White

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Nike SB ‘Brian Andersons’ used to be a cut-and-dry affair.  You knew you were talking about the camouflage Nike SB Dunk High he designed in 2006, or possibly the Lows that dropped last year without a ton of fanfare.  But this time around, things are a little more interesting, thanks to two entirely different Brian Anderson x Nike SB Blazer CS Mids.  These are the first Custom Series Blazers we got a look at last month, going with a look that evokes the aforementioned Dunk Highs and their SF Giants look, and in these new photos, the suede uppers appear to be the appropriate shade of black rather than a more Detroit Tigers-like navy blue.  Check out more images after the jump and keep it locked to Sneaker News for updates on both upcoming Brian Anderson Nike SB Blazers.  via TWS

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