“People always ask me…what was it like growing up as Michael Jordan’s son?”

To be the heir apparent to the greatest basketball player of all-time could be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is obvious in itself, but those who see the glass half-empty will note that nobody, not even his own sons, will be ever as good as Michael Jordan. But Marcus and Jeffrey Jordan have managed to keep basketball as a major part in their lives (both play for a D-1 college team), but have also kept “life after basketball” in focus by introducing Heir Jordan, a look into the lives of the next generation of the Jordan legacy. They’ve got a weighty task on their hands, so check out the teaser of Heir Jordan below and let us know what you think.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Kobe Bryant entered the NBA in the 1996 season and took just one year to be voted as a starter on the Western Conference All-Star team – and he wasn’t even a starter on the Lakers! That season, four Los Angeles Lakers made it onto the Western squad (Shaq, Nick Van Exel, and Eddie Jones rounding out that group), but it was Kobe’s arrival to the spotlight (in New York City of all platforms) and his match-up against Michael Jordan that rose as one of the biggest sub-stories of that All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden. During the game, Kobe Bryant wore this White/Black colorway of the adidas Crazy 8 (we’ve added a nice in-game shot for you below); it features choice hints of Lakers purple and gold around the shoe, and the notable ’8′ stitched at the base of the tongue. Until now, this colorway had never seen a retro release, but the wait is over because these are available now in-store and online at Packer Shoes, so hit them up to cop a pair!

Tweet

Continue Reading   

The Nike Zoom Kobe VII takeover began last week, as we got a first detailed look and a thorough release schedule for the Kobe VII in its three forms. In addition to the “regular” $140 version, there will be a Supreme edition (pictured here), priced at $180, and an Elite tier, weighing in at a solid $200. As we get another look at the Kobe VII Supreme (in more of a ‘photoshoot’ style rather than a detailed look), we notice once again the shining detail of the Supreme – the removable ankle lock-down sleeve, attached to the cushioned insole (word is there are two types – ‘Play Fast’ and ‘Play Strong’). A heel-shot also reveals what appears to be visible Zoom Air and Kobe’s customary signature. Continue reading for a lengthy gallery of this upcoming 2012 release and let us know what you think – $180 for a Nike Zoom Kobe shoe worth the money? via kickz-lab.

Nike Zoom Kobe VII Supreme
White/Black-Concord
488244-100
01/06/12
$180

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary is one of the nation’s leader in sneaker purveyance – KICKS/HI located in Honolulu. Since 2001, KICKS/HI has been well recognized by major brands of all types, including Nike, Reebok, Stussy, and New Era, and this upcoming release of the KICKS/HI x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is actually the third overall partnership between the two names. KICKS/HI co-founder Eddy Haus has stated that for this project, Kicks Hawaii has chosen to leave the Chuck Taylor silhouette intact (better to not mess with a classic, right?), but used its tiger shark mascot by featuring the appropriate camo print on the upper. These are set to drop this Saturday, October 22nd, at KICKS/HI in Honolulu and Guam, as well as St. Alfred in Chicago at a retail price of $70. Check out the additional images below and stick with Sneaker News for more Converse release info and updates.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Last summer’s most memorable basketball related event took place at a Connecticut Boys & Girls Club.  Fifteen months after LeBron James decided that Jason Petrie could do some amazing things with Miami-inspired colorways, there’s not a followup NBA season anywhere in sight, so this recent adidas Basketball event in Chicago could very well turn out to be the attendees’ most memorable roundball moment in 2011-12.  ’Run with D Rose’ featured Chitown emcee Common on the mic and Derrick Rose in a little 3-on-3 action with some lucky Facebook fans at the James R Jordan B&GC following the adiZero Rose 2 launch at Foot Locker on Michigan Ave.  Check out the video and stick with Sneaker News for event recaps from around the world.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

We already showed you Penny Hardaway’s exclusives that were on display at Memphis’ Midnight Madness event this weekend and with the college basketball season rapidly approaching, you’ve gotta be curious about what your favorite school will be wearing.  There are three Nike LeBron schools that’ve gotten a bunch of attention in the past week and now our first look from Jordan Brand on the Jumpman’s four institutions of higher learning.  The logos for Cal, Georgetown, Marquette, and of course, North Carolina, can be seen on the patent leather tongue tags of what looks like a Jordan Fly 23, a model we’ve already seen in a huge run of TB colorups; is this the best JB silhouette for this year’s college kicks?  Check out all the teasers after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for all the latest NCAA basketball player exclusives.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Though all of his work with adidas Originals comes from a certain level of teamwork, here’s the first ‘look-at-me’ from Jeremy Scott that represents significant input from another creative force along the way.  The Jeremy Scott x adidas Originals JS Wings pictured above was designed to match the over-the-top aesthetic of K-pop stars 2NE1.  This CMY-cow look applies a Holstein pattern (or is it a horse?) on the pony hair underlay for one of the most outrageous looks from Jeremy Scott in 2011 or any other year since he got up with the Brand with the Three Stripes.  Enjoy some additional images after you click on the jump below and look for these at select retailers next month.  via FRESHNESS

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Over the weekend, Penny Hardaway was spotted at his alma mater where the Memphis Madness event kicked off big-time college basketball in southwest Tennessee.  Penny was on hand to judge the Tigers’ slam dunk contest, but it’s likely that more jaws dropped around the world when Hardaway tweeted an image of the footwear he wore to the FedEx Forum.  This all-white Nike Air Foamposite One PE was created specially for Penny along with the Air Force 1 Low PE and white/grey Zoom Rookie LWP we showed you a while back, but we can’t help the feeling that these could outsell both of those combined were they ever released to retail.  Alas, this appears to be one of those things you’ll only get as a true insider, so click through to see more angles and stick with Sneaker News for updates on the future of Air Penny retros.  via SoleCollector

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Maybach Music Group member Wale was recently spotted shopping for kicks at Philadelphia’s Sole Control while sporting the Nike LeBron 8 V/2 in Solar Red. Those V/2 Lows have proven to be one of Wale’s recent favorites, as he’s worn them on a number of occasions. According to Sole Control, Wale left the shop with two purchases – the Air Jordan XVI in the OG Ginger colorway, and a pair of Original Nike Air Max 96s. It appears that he had some interest in the OG Nike Air Diamond Turf 2s as well! Check out Wale after the jump and if you’re in the Philly area, be sure to check out Sole Control because they’ve clearly got a sick selection of kicks!

Tweet

Continue Reading   

The Nike Alpha Project of the late 90′s birthed one of the funkiest Nike Running shoes in history – the Nike Air Presto. From the Presto came a few branched-out variations, like the Presto Cage and the Presto Zip, but have you ever seen the Presto Clip TR? This mid-cut Nike Air Presto was created back in 2003, destined for a Holiday release of the year. It featured a denim twill upper attached together by tough seams, a molded-to-your-foot construction, a solid panel at the heel, and a unique outsole traction set-up that shed rubber where unnecessary and emphasized primary strike points on the foot. This Black/Light Graphite sample of the Nike Air Presto Clip TR is one of the strangest samples we’ve come across, but don’t call these entirely scrapped, because a low-cut version of the Presto Clip did actually release. Check out the images below and if you want to make a run for this deadstock size 9 sample, check out the auction from dballaholic on eBay.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

As the Original 7 from 1985 made abundantly clear upon their debut, the Nike Dunk High looks great in simple two and three-toned colorways.  These new Dunk Highs aren’t blocked exactly to “BTTYS” specs, but they do indeed represent a tasty twist on a classic recipe. Both can be characterized by suede overlays atop smooth black leather that connects to the blacked-out sole, but the effect of tonal blue and tonal brown suede makes a huge difference.  You’ll see more photos of both brand new Nike Dunk Highs after the jump and then you can find them at select European Nike Sportswear stockists.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

The Air Classic ‘Big Window’ is one of those overlooked Nike Air Max models in the United States, but gets a nice amount of attention overseas (as do other non year-designated Air Maxes). Of course, the States has seen some great releases, like the Stash x Nike Air Classic BW from the Artist Series (some regard it as one of the greatest Nike collaborations of all time), and of course, the original Persian Violet colorway. Not exactly an attempt to ‘rub it in’, but JDSports has another exclusive release of a Euro-speciality – the Nike Air Classic BW in this new white/black/blue colorway (*Insert rage-face meme here*). More shots available for you below, so take a look and let us know what you think.

Tweet

Continue Reading