The Air Jordan 2011 is a beautifully elegant design but its signature feature is something you can feel far more than see.  With ‘Quick’ and ‘Explosive’ interchangeable midsoles offering Zoom and encapsulated Air cushioning respectively, you have the opportunity to tailor the AJ2011 to your preferences.  Jordan Brand offered a few lucky ballers a chance to experience the performance benefits for themselves with a setup near Santa Monica Blvd. featuring tests for each insole.  For the ‘Quick’ side of things, a ladder drill was used to demonstrate Zoom Air’s superior lateral responsiveness, while the ‘Explosive’ joints provided a soft landing on the vertical jump test.  Click through to see more and for those of you who’ve already gotten your pair, let us know which cushioning option you prefer.

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If you haven’t noticed the interesting trend within Nike SB yet, check out this March 2011 release of the Nike SB Blazer Mid. Featuring a Bog Green/Black colorway, this Blazer Mid release is similar in color to the Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Loden’ that was part of the historic first series of the Nike SB Dunk. The olive green-like shade is comparable to the Bog Green used in this Blazer Mid – all you need is a set of light brown laces to complete the look. Nike SB has been ‘retro’-ing its classic SB Dunk colorways in different forms, like the SB Zoom Bruin ‘Mulder’ and the SB Dunk High ‘True Red’, but what do you think of the SB Blazer Mid ‘Loden’? Resemblance or not, this is one sweet new release that shouldn’t be missed. Flatspot has gotten an early jump on March so head there to cop and let us know what you think.

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Never one to rest on their successes, Nike Sportswear will introduce a new lifestyle sneaker this season, the Nike Hachi.  This midtop bears a certain resemblance to the Blazer but its true heritage in the Beaverton lineage is a far more seldom seen model.  And while you might naturally associate their silhouette and perforated Swoosh outline with NSW’s Toki chukka, one look at the orange/green colorup will have obscurist sneakerheads exclaim, “OMG, Nike Sting!”  That colorway along with the toe and eye placket on every pair are borrowed from the late-’70s runner, and you can see more of this April 2011 release plus a royal blue pair by clicking on the jump below.  via FNG

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The NBA All-Star Weekend is one of the biggest pro-sports draws of the year, and over the weekend, Houston-native and hip-hop artist Bun B as well as sneakerhead supreme Mayor were spotted enjoying the festivities. Bun B acted as host for some Q&A sessions with Jordan Brand athletes Ray Allen and Joe Johnson while wearing the Air Jordan XIII ‘Playoffs’ – a shoe that is set to release next week. Mayor, who graciously loaned some of his Nike Air Force 1 collection to the Nike Sportswear ‘Los Fearless’ Event, really heated things up by wearing the UNDFTD x Air Jordan IV – the olive-green uppered, orange laced rare Jordan gems that only a few get to be proud owners of. Last November, CNBC delved into the world of sneakers and the insane prices of sneakers, and the UNDFTD x Air Jordan IV just so happened to be one of the shoes in the spotlight, and it’s no surprise that one of the owners is also one of the biggest sneakerheads in the world. In any case, check out both Bun B and Mayor in their Jordans after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for more All-Star Weekend updates!

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The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers have been the subject of scrutiny and doubt after a recent string of subpar play and losses to cellar-dwelling teams. They need a trade. Kobe doesn’t have it anymore. Phil Jackson lost his touch. These so-called experts are quick to forget that the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals just nine months ago, and Kobe Bryant took that heart this 2011 NBA All-Star Game. A game in which the Bill Walton-coined ‘matador defense’ is the norm was not taken lightly by the Black Mamba, who played tough one-on-one defense on Wade, LeBron, and Paul Pierce throughout the game (you might remember the steal off a surprised Wade in the first quarter). Never before has a two-time repeat champion had so much to prove, but Kobe, Pau, Phil, and Co. are ready for the challenge. Check out the Nike Zoom Kobe VI ‘POP’, featuring a white upper and a black/del sol trim; Kobe wore a similar colorway of the Kobe V (in reverse fashion) towards the end of last season, and we should expect the same for these as well. Does Kobe Bryant and the Lakers have what it takes to win a third championship in as many years? Take a look at the Kobe VI ‘POP’ below and let us know what you think. via MarqueeSole.

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NBA All-Star weekend is the league’s biggest showcase, something like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and WrestleMania made into the game’s ultimate ‘hybrid’.  Eastern Conference starting forward LeBron James showed why he could very well win a third consecutive MVP award with the elusive ASGs triple-double, but here’s more proof that even elite athletes gotta look up to somebody.  During the 2011 NBA Circuit, LeBron was photographed at the Marriot in LA wearing a red l/s tee and the Nike Air Max LeBron VII ‘Deion Sanders’ from last year’s ‘Heroes Pack’ to complete his fit.  ‘Bron’s always said he could excel on the football field and with basketball starting to look downright easy, maybe we’ll ‘Witness’ another two-sport superstar.  However unlikely, one thing we know is that you can count on Nike Basketball for more dope themes on King James’ kicks and you can see more of him in the ‘Deion Sanders’ AML7 by clicking on the jump below.  via ESPN

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Jordan Brand athlete Joe Johnson was one of five Jordan Brand representatives that took the Staples Center floor during the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. Johnson earned a spot on the reserve roster for the Eastern Conference for his great all-around game and leading the Atlanta Hawks to one of the better records in the Eastern Conference. Providing 11 points, 2 boards, 2 assists, and 3 steals, Joe Johnson proved that he is one of the league’s best while wearing this sweet Player Exclusive colorway of the Jordan Evolution ’85 in grey, white, and translucent ice sole. Check out the additional shot below and let us know what you think of Johnson’s PE Jordans after the jump!

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Sneaker News has kept you on top of all the great 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend Events – it’s like you were there! We hooked you up with complete NBA Feet recaps just moments after the events wrapped up and even gave you a look at the Air Yeezy 2 that Kanye wore during ‘The Black Mamba’. Continuing with our firsthand coverage is a look into the Jordan Brand Customization Station that was posted at Footaction in Culver City; this gave event goers and Jordan fans an opportunity to customize their favorite Jordan items with All-Star inspired graphics of East and West, Jordan insignia like ’23′, elephant print, and the classic Flight logo, or even better, your own name to give your kicks the most personalized touch. Special lace dubraes as well as other jeweled ornaments were available to ‘bedazzle’ your items as well. Check out this quick look at all the cool options and customized Jordans below and let us know what you think.

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With the East Coast having experienced a particularly nasty winter, it’s nice to know that spring is right around the corner.  Along with warmer weather, you can expect a whole new batch of kicks from Nike SB and here’s a preview of Swoosh Skateboarding’s May 2011 releases.  We’ll start with the revitalized Nike SB Dunk Pro, which’ll be dropping in the ‘Seattle Seahawks’ suede colorup, another high in Deep Burgundy and Aquamarine and one low that owes a debt of gratitude to the ‘Aqua’ Air Jordan VIII.  Along with the return of the Zoom Harbor, Stefan Janoski’s deck shoe-inspired signature will release in both low and mid cuts, as will the SB Blazer CS.  Rounding out the set are three different Paul Rodriguez models: the ‘Cali’ P-Rod 2.5, a white P-Rod IV and the Vulc-Rod in navy with white and red accents.  Click through to see all of em and stay glued to Sneaker News for updates on these and all Nike SB release dates.  via MIA

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In today’s world of advanced metrics and MIT-educated general managers, sports statistics are both more precise than ever and subtly misleading.  We seek to objectify the sports we love with numbers as an attempt to further the decisiveness inherent in the outcomes of these games.  Put another way, it’s impossible to see someone like Michael Jordan winning six championships while seemingly breaking the laws of physics and hold that simultaneously in mind alongside stereotyping and prejudice.

Nike wants you to consider this when you visit the BHM tribute at Bowery Stadium in New York, a visual history of how black athletes have transcended basketball to unite and inspire folks of all colors and creeds.  Don’t be ashamed if you get chills just from looking at these images of guys like Dr. J, His Airness and the Black Mamba — their contribution to the game of basketball and our society is immeasurably large, to the point where writing about how basketball has helped to promote equality is all at once completely obvious and somehow unavoidably pretentious.  So just click through, look at the photos and ponder what it means that we as the people are flying ‘Ever Higher’ on the same wings Air Jordan himself once soared, and if you’re in the NYC area be sure to head over to Bowery Stadium and check it out for yourself.

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Nike Sportswear joined in on the excitement in the California area and put up an amazing space on intersection of Hollywood and Vine to celebrate the annual NBA All-Star Game. The “Los Fearless” theme invaded the venue and transformed the Vortex into an event and retail space for all things Nike Sportswear with a few Nike Basketball items sprinkled in. Acting as one of the primary attractions was an exhibition of All-Star Game Nike Air Force 1s dating back to 2005 to the current 2011 editions – all of which were on loan from Air Force 1 Aficionado Mayor. Other displays celebrated the three neighborhoods of Los Angeles – East LA, Hollywood and Orange County – with motion graphics projections displayed on the concave roof of the domed building. Event-goers had the opportunity of purchasing the Los Angeles-themed Nike footwear and apparel with a special customization station available for select pieces of clothing. The main event of the Nike Sportswear Los Fearless Event was the premiere of ‘The Black Mamba‘, which starred Kobe Bryant, Bruce Willis, Danny Trejo, and Kanye West. Continue reading for a full recap of the event and stick with Sneaker News for more 2011 NBA All-Star festivities!

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Hip-hop artist and walking Nike billboard Wale is best known in our circles for having the most anticipated releases months in advance. The Air Max 24/7 in Neon, the Air Foamposite One ‘Metallic Pewter’, and the Zoom Huarache TR Mid ‘Green Lantern’ are just a few examples of the sick kicks that he’s had on his feet before any of us even had an opportunity to look at, and for the 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend, he brought out a little something to get our blood boiling again. Wale, who performed alongside J. Cole at the House of Blues on Friday night, wore the Nike Air Foamposite Pro ‘Dark Pine’, a shoe that isn’t even set for a release until September of this year. In the dim lighting, the Dark Pine comes off as a pure black colorway, but during a moment in the light, you can see the Dark Pine color shine through. In the Mayback Music documentary-like video, Wale can be heard mentioning something along the lines of ‘Maybach Music Foamposite’ – is he referring to his new kicks or perhaps a special PE of some sort? Check out the video and images below and stick with Sneaker News for more information as it develops.

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