Just like we all got caught up in the hype leading up to and in the wake of his ‘decision’, sneakerheads are finding our attention pulled to the Nike LeBron 9 like a tractor beam.  A recent collection of Photoshop renderings gave us a look into the possible outcomes from some of the Nike LeBron series’ best loved colorways, all of which were based upon the template of this inline release.  King James’ likely initial regular season home sneaker sticks with the classic bred plus white palette, and with the NBA currently locked out, it could be some time before we see them on the professional hardwood; will the October drop be delayed as a result? Click through to see more images and stick with Sneaker News for the Nike LeBron 9 release date as soon as it’s confirmed.  via Kicks-crew

Nike LeBron 9
Black/Varsity Red
469764-003

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The Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski debuted earlier this year in the simple black/white colorway, an inverted scheme of which was later released as a Quickstrike exclusive to Nike SB shops.  This ‘Below the Line’ release was deemed unavailable for phone or internet orders by Beaverton mandate, but the Swoosh has also gone in the opposite direction for select SB releases.  For instance, the original lowtop Stefan Janoskis and a few P-Rod models have popped up at the Nike Sportswear flagship store in New York along with the scant few that’ve popped up on NikeStore.  This new City Navy Zoom Janoski Mid is in that latter category, a model that has us wondering if the Stefan Janoski signature series is moving its way toward mainstream distribution like the P-Rod line, and one that you can grab right now from NikeStore.

Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski Mid
City Navy/White
443095-400

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There are plenty of rare and unreleased Air Jordan samples floating around, but few are as amazing as this Air Jordan IV Laser sample. We first showed you this pair last year when it popped up on eBay, and more recently, one well-stocked sneakerhead wore his pair to the Sneakerpedia NYC Launch Event this past May. With a tonal varsity red upper featuring the laser-etched graphic seen on the 2005 releases of the Air Jordan IV Laser, this promo sample is without a doubt one of the hardest to find and when it pops up for sale, it’s certainly worth taking the moment to peek at the asking price. We’ve got a new set of images for you after the jump, so take a look, let us know if you’d consider buying if they released, and check out the asking price in this one-of-a-kind auction from pantsag on eBay.

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The legend of Tinker Hatfield may not have begun with sneakers, but it certainly will end that that way. The former Oregon athlete (who ran track for Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman) and architecture graduate signed on with Nike and began designing sneakers in 1985 after realizing that his architectural skills could be applied to footwear. It began with the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1, two sneakers that revolutionized their respective sports, but it was his collaborative process with Michael Jordan with the Air Jordan III that opened a whole new window of design aesthetics in athletic footwear. Thirty years later, Tinker Hatfield is a veritable legend in the genre, leaving behind countless classic molds while preparing some newer concepts for the future. Check out some of Tinker’s greatest sneaker designs below and head to Complex for the entire feature.

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With the initial releases out (or as in the case of the Kobe x Koston 1, sold-out) to retailers, it’s time we start to look into the future of Eric Koston’s first Nike SB signature sneaker.  The Nike SB Koston 1 is ready for Q1 of next year with at least two new colorways on tap, both of which feature the same clean appeal as the best we’ve seen so far.  You can pick between blue/white and pine green/silver, both of which have white midsoles and apparently muted shades on the Koston One’s outsole contrast.  Click through to see more angles and stick with Sneaker News for updates on these and all Nike SB spring 2012 release dates.  via lacebag

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After a burst of activity in late June into the first days of this month, we haven’t seen a new Nike Air Classic BW release since before Independence Day.  Here’s a new pair to add to your list of back to school options, an Obsidian, Wolf Grey and white Big Window that’s a great option for Yankees fans or just anyone who appreciates the versatile appeal of the palette.  Click through to get a closer view, let us know what you think by leaving a comment and grab a pair of the newest Air Classic BW from the only place that carries this colorway, England’s JD Sports.

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In the latest lesson on ‘Sampling 101′, Nike Sportswear shows the class how to radically improve upon initial images with just a couple of key changes.  The Nike Air Max 90 pictured above first popped up last week in a colorway befitting the fall season, but in these new images, the Deep Burgundy, Orange Peel and Bright Copper colors lean even more strongly toward the Virginia Tech Hokies‘ unique color combination.  Hokies fans and sneakerheads alike should be happy to see a plain white leather instead of the questionable heavy-gauge perfs that appeared on the preview, and if that’s enough to get you wanting a pair of these, check out the run available now at Kicks-Crew.

Nike Air Max 90
Deep Burgundy/White-Orange Peel-Dark Copper
309299-601

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The Air Jordan 1 has become something like Jordan Brand’s Dunk, a versatile canvas upon which to paint the shades of many different material and color combinations.  And as with any model churning out tons of new releases each season, the AJ1 has seen its share of nixed samples, one such being this black patent leather edition tweeted by sneakerhead Jermaine Tolentino.  Jermaine’s Jays are probably most similar to 2009′s Tuxedo/Prom Pack of AJ1 Phat Lows, though these eschew any semblance of a Chicago Bulls look in favor of a clean grey sockliner.  Could they be the same rare design Nelly was spotted wearing early last year?  Click through for more and consider contacting Mr. Tolentino to make an offer over Twitter.

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When the Jordan CMFT Max Air 10 first hit shelves back in April, it was in the form of the ‘Candy Pack’ a bright trio of colorways that may have been a bit too sweet for some. Well, if you’ve been waiting to get this hybrid model in a more subdued set of tones, now is your chance. This shadowy edition of the mashed up Air Jordan X/Air Max 97 shoe feels right for the summer nights, with a killer perforated suede wrapping the upper. Continue reading to take an in depth look at this new Jordan CMFT Max Air 10, then head over to Finishline to grab a pair.

Jordan CMFT Max Air 10
Obsidian/Obsidian/Blue Dusk/White
442087-403

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Kobe Bryant just roundly dissed adidas Basketball’s adiZero Crazy Light; would he be in favor of something with a little more support, perhaps?  It’s next to impossible to imagine the Mamba endorsing anything without a Swoosh at this point in his career, but sneakerheads and basketball players with less loyalty to a single brand can consider this adidas Clima 360 Mid among your summer shopping options.  These joints are totally blacked out from tongue to sole, the ripstop-style gridding on the ClimaCool material adding a nice bit of tonal depth.  Click through for more angles and look for these at select Three Stripes retailers soon.  via SM

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The adidas Originals ‘B-Sides’ collection celebrates a variety of 1980s Three Stripes footwear, but it’s not the only pack they’re releasing later this year in honor of the brand’s heritage.  Joining the historical retrospective will be the adidas Originals Archive Pack, the first release of which will be the above pictured adidas Forest Hills tennis shoe.  Named after the longtime site of the US Open, the Forest Hills stood out at its debut as today, the bold colored outsole a strong statement when paired with a clean white leather upper.  Click through to see more angles and stick with Sneaker News for the US release dates.  via FRESHNESS

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Plenty of Nike Sportswear’s classic models have been treated to hybrid twists, but few have done so as literally as the Nike All Court Twist.  This lowtop transfers the model’s traditional asymmetry from its toecap to the Footscape’d lacing system, these two new white nylon mesh Tier Zero releases each adding an accent shade to leather tongue and heel tags plus the vulcanized sole’s foxing band.  Click through to see close-ups of brown and purple pairs from Dunk and you can find them now on eBay.

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