There are Air Jordan inspired Dunks, and then there are Air Jordan inspired Dunks.  We’re honestly not sure into which of those categories the above pictured Nike Dunk High fits, but it’s clear that they indirectly call upon the legacy of MJ’s kicks to complete their look.  The first clue is the colorway: a differently blocked version of the original Air Jordan 1 that was banned by the NBA for its outrageous style.  Goes without saying that the Dunk and AJ1 have the same sole, and when you see the patent leather toebox, we defy you to not picture the AJXI.  Immortal basketball aesthetics are yours for the taking now from JD Sports.

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The Sole Collector x Jordan CMFT Max 11 SC launch events on both coasts marked the first major U.S. sneaker campouts of 2010, so it’s expected that those who came to spend the night outdoors wore some of their best and brightest kicks. Spotted at the campouts were some rare joints but here’s a look at a hybrid of the Nike Zoom LeBron III upper with a 360 Air Unit worn by one of the Sole Collector staff. The Zoom-cushioned Pebax Shell on the LeBron III was swapped with the running-specific uncaged full-length Air resulting in a 1-of-1 pair of the Air Max LeBron III that has never been seen before. Whether or not this is a Nike product or the slick handi-work of a clever sneakerhead has yet to be determined but these are surely one of the better sole-swaps we’ve seen in recent memory. Take a closer look after the jump and let us know what other Air Max x LeBron signatures you’d like to see. via RIF.

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Much has been made of Penny Hardaway’s place in basketball and sneaker lore.  Perhaps second only to Michael Jordan in terms of 1990s commercial appeal, Penny was a three time All-NBAer before his knees went like Grant Hill’s ankles.  Hardaway also made the All Rookie squad in 1993-94, but it was the player for whom he was traded on draft night who captured that year’s Rookie of the Year award.  Chris Webber held it down in Oakland for the Warriors before being traded to the then Washington Bullets, where in 1995 he wore the Nike Air Max Sensation.  Back for a Torch(-like mesh) and carbon fiber-infused update, the Air Max Sensation 2011 improves upon one of the mid 90s’ cult classics with some of the Swoosh’s best new tech.  Two new pairs in grey will feature select jewel toned accents, not the least of which is the upgraded 360-degree Max Air cushion.  Check out purple and aqua pairs after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for word on their release date.  via MN

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One of three confirmed release locations for the Sole Collector x Jordan CMFT Max 11 SC was Nike Santa Monica, with special host Tristan Wilds of the hit show ‘The Wire’ and a premiere guest in Tinker Hatfield, the legendary shoe designer that served as the backbone of the Air Jordan Legacy. With just 130 pairs of the Sole Collector x Jordan CMFT Max 11 SC known t have released at the Nike Santa Monica location, a camp-out was in full force as was the selection of kicks. Tinker Hatfield had on a pair of a special Air Jordan XX3 Tinker Hatfield PE that we showed you earlier today and one Sole Collector staffer wore a 1-of-1 LeBron III x Air Max 360 hybrid. Other notables included the Nike Zoom Kobe VI, Aston Martin and McFly Hyperdunk, SB Dunk Low ‘Paris’, and a great selection of Air Jordans. Take a look at the event recap of the Sole Collector x Jordan CMFT Max 11 SC launch in Santa Monica after the jump.

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One can only imagine what special gems Tinker Hatfield may have stashed away in his sneaker closet; the man responsible for some of the greatest footwear designs of all time surely has some never-before-seen Tinker Exclusives, like this pair of the Air Jordan XX3 spotted on his feet during the Sole Collecter x Jordan CMFT Max 11 SC release event in Nike Santa Monica. Resembling the Air Jordan XX3 ‘Titanium’, this Tinker PE features a unique upper panel with Tinker Hatfield’s personalized logo of his initials with the jeweled university blue midsole and pristine white leather upper. You might’ve guessed a Tinker PE would have the beige/black/orange colorway seen on the Air Jordan Alpha 1 that released earlier this year as well as the Air Jordan 2010 that Sneaker News showed you a few days ago, but selecting the colorway from one of the rarest Air Jordans ever created for his own PE was a great choice. Take another look at Tinker’s Air Jordan XX3 PE after the jump and let us know what you think. via NT.

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Seems like even though we’re talking about a shoe that first hit store shelves thirteen years ago, that the Air Jordan XIII keeps popping up ahead of schedule.  They’re all retros, of course, but from the Flints to the white/Varsity Red Thirteens, the golf ball dimples are rolling around earlier than expected.  The latest AJ13 Retro to drop early is the Altitude Green palette last seen in 2005.  These joints keep the same black base with select Altitude accents, but the side panels are ballistic nylon instead of leather this time.  A great shoe that you miiight be able to squeak out for a Halloween fit, the Altitude Air Jordan XIII is available now in a limited size run over at Kickscrew.

Style: 414571-002
Color: Black/Altitude Green

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When you hit Ron Cameron’s website, you’re greeted by the song “5/4 Unity” from Pavement’s 1994 indie rock masterpiece Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.  A band who still haven’t gotten the recognition they truly deserve(d), knowing the name Steven Malkmus still offers the a bit of the same kind of insider cache you earn for knowing about this nixed Nike SB Dunk High sample.  Cameron’s Dunk first surfaced at the ‘A Day with Paul’ event all the way back in July 2009, but for whatever reason, these Artist Series Dunks never made it to retail.  If you could get your hands on a pair, they’d be dope not only for the limited edition cool factor, but that their haunting eyeball pattern could simultaneously entrance and frighten onlookers.  Shades of Ed Templeton’s wonky handiwork, you can see more photos of the Ron Cameron Dunk High SB samples when you click the jump below.  via Warped

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Arriving in November 2010 is the Air Jordan III from the Nike Doernbecher Freestyle VII. Designed by 11-year-old Cole Johanson, the Doernbecher Air Jordan III combines the daring nature of varsity red while the metallic silver gives off the toughness of steel. That was the theme behind Johanson’s design, combining the elements of each color into the motif of Courage and Strength, which is printed on the insole of the shoe. Since it was first previewed on Sneaker News, Johanson’s design of the Air Jordan III has been praised as the best Jordan x Doernbecher design ever due to the color-blocking as well as other fresh elements like the upper lasering and translucent outsole. Take another look after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for more information regarding the Doernbecher Freestyle VII releases. via MS.

Style: 437536-600
Color: Varsity Red/Metallic Silver-Black

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Unfortunately, this ‘Look Inside’ is not as planned and arranged as it purports. Here’s a look at a left shoe from a pair of the Nike Zoom Kobe V ‘USC’ that released earlier this year at House of Hoops locations. A young baller was doing his proverbial ‘thang’ in the Kobe V when the lateral heel tore clean off the shoe, revealing the inner Zoom cushioning in all its glory. Not quite a Timberlake x Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction, but this isn’t supposed to happen, right? We can understand a sole separation due to old age but in this case, it looks like Jaws got a hold of the heel. Unlike it’s Air Max cousin, Zoom Air prefers to operate behind the scenes and very rarely do we get a visible Zoom Air cushioned basketball shoe. Well, this accidental Nike ‘Vis’ Zoom Kobe V is certainly voucher-worthy, meaning the owner is certainly eligible to get a replacement pair for these shoes, but a shoe not even a year old isn’t supposed to break down like this. Take another look after the jump and let us know what you think. via NT.

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Matching your clothes with your fresh kicks is a regularly practiced form of fashion, but what about a backpack? Check out the Air Jordan XI Cool Grey Pinnacle Backpack, which features a colorway of grey tones and white with patent leather trim. The bottommost portion of the backpack as well as the front pocket features a patent leather finish to match the Air Jordan XI Cool Grey, with white zipper construction to mimic the white laces. A clear connection can be made with the upcoming Air Jordan shoe, making this a must-have for the Holiday 2010 season. These won’t be available until November so check out the details of this dope backpack and pre-order one from footwear-depot on eBay.

Style: 395047-083

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Is a stone lion tougher than one made of bone and fur?  Sounds like a question for Dwight Schrute, but this is one of the details you might consider when choosing which colorway of the Nike LeBron 8 you plan to purchase.  LeBron’s lion motif represents the character traits he most values and has been a major part of his signature sneaker line with Nike Basketball, but for this latest pair, we’re seeing a different direction based on its status as the China Edition LeBron VIII.  Featuring an embossed Chinese stone tiger on the tongue, these crisp red-on-white kicks exude the power and prestige the famed tiger statues are said to represent.  These are set to release on October 26th, but you can already get yours on eBay.

Style: 417098-101
Color: White/White-Sport Red

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We’ve been waiting for this one for a good while now.  The Nike Zoom Hyperfuse emerged in late spring both courtesy of Sneaker News previews and on the feet of a player who was having perhaps the most dominant NBA post season (until the Finals, that is) in Rajon Rondo.  Rondo’s two-toned Hyperfuses offered a glimpse into what to expect from the future of Nike Basketball, and here’s another long-awaited pair with a colorway you could see a Celtics fan wearing.  Then again, the black and Volt combo on the above pictured Hyperfuses is a wildly popular colorway these days, and we’re happy to report they’re finally available from select retailers including ID4Shoes on eBay.

Style: 407622-006
Color: Black/Black-Volt

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