Earlier today Sneaker News showed you a sample pair of the Air Jordan XI Low ‘Concord’, seen on the feet of Michael Jordan and on SoleFly purveyor Carlos Prieto. Looks like he’s got another sick sample for us – the Air Jordan XI Low in the ‘Bred’ colorway. Like the Concord low, these are indeed a sample of a sample, as the ‘Bred’ low-top version of the patent-leather Air Jordan XI was also a sample from 1996. This 2011 sample version features a red inner lining (consistent with the ’96 sample) and a black synthetic leather upper instead of ballistic nylon mesh. Will these release? You can bank on that new White/Red/Black colorway hitting stores this Summer 2012, but for now, both the ‘Bred’ and ‘Concord’ versions are just in the sample stage at this point. Check out another shot of MJ wearing these samples a decade and a half ago below and let us know what you think.

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This past February, Nike Sportswear released the crowd-pleasing Metallic Pewter colorway of the Nike Air Foamposite One setting the tone for a number of new Foamposite One/Pro colorways throughout the rest of the year. This February, Nike will have a repeat performance of strong February-Foamposites with the drop of the ‘Metallic Red’ colorway; it features a tonal red upper given a glossy finish, tied together with the customary black lace placket and translucent outsole. We’ve got a nice set of detailed shots for you courtesy of long-7 below, so take a look and let us know if you plan on copping these on the February 4, 2012 release date. Info via SC.

Nike Air Foamposite One
Metallic Red/Black
314996-610
02/04/12
$220

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One of the best low-top Air Jordan models is easily the Air Jordan XI Low (not the IE version). Here we have a look at a low-top version of the Air Jordan XI ‘Concord’, worn by Michael Jordan yesterday. Was this the first time he wore low-top Concords? The answer is no: when the Air Jordan XI was first created, a few low-top samples were made (Michael liked playing in low-tops) – a ‘Bred’ colorway and a ‘Concord’ colorway (he wore them during the ’96 Championship celebration parade). The big difference between that ’96 sample and this 2011 sample is that the latter features a full white synthetic leather upper instead of the ballistic nylon used in other Air Jordan XI releases. Thanks to Carlos Prieto of Sole Fly, we’ve got some nice angles of this sample, as well as a shot of MJ wearin’ ‘em after the jump, so take a look and let us know what you think.

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Earlier today Sneaker News provided you with some insight on the design of the Nike Zoom Kobe VII, as Kobe Bryant himself sat down with architect Eric Avar to discuss the latest features of the Kobe VII. Now that we’ve got all the technical specifications down, how about a look at some upcoming colorways? If the upcoming Christmas colorway the Nike Zoom Kobe VII ‘Leopard’ is any indication, we should expect some crazy color-combinations and concepts, like the upcoming Poison Dart Frog Pack that is currently set for a Summer 2012 release, or even the ‘Barcelona’-inspired colorway that we showed you earlier this month. We also get a look at a true leopard-print skin which could point to a possible release of that colorway. Check out some of the stills we’ve grabbed for you after the jump and be sure to make Sneaker News your one-stop shop on all the best news for the hottest upcoming releases, and don’t forget the cop the Nike Zoom Kobe VII System Supreme in stores now!

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Paul Rodriguez will soon celebrate the sixth signature model of his line with Nike Skateboarding. First order of business – drop ‘SB’ from the Nike tag on the tongue. Aside from that interesting branding tweak, the Nike Paul Rodriguez VI features a similar construction to its predecessor, but introducing an exterior heel-counter that should remind you of the Air Huarache runners from the 90′s. The solid build should eliminate any heel slippage, while the ample vents on the upper provide enough air flow for those with sweaty feet (P-Rod has state numerous times that his feet get drenched, making breathability one of the key notes of the SB line). We’ve got a nice look at a Grey/Gold colorway below, one that is expected to drop during the Fall 2012 season. via N-SB.

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Still have a few sneakers left unmarked in your Holiday 2011 gift wishlist? Complex magazine will be conducting a massive 10-pair sneaker Giveaway tomorrow (12/23), featuring some of the biggest releases of the year and of all-time. In this video below, Complex’s Joe La Puma reviews three of the top 10 sneakers, which are the Nike Air Yeezy ‘Net’, Air Jordan V ‘Quai 54′, and Nike LeBron 8 Low ‘Solar Red’. What could round out the entire list? You’re going to have to find out tomorrow by checking out Complex, but in the meantime, take a quick look at the video below. Want to find out more information about these sneakers or any of your Holiday gifts? Search to your hearts desire on Bing.com and be sure to participate in tomorrow’s 10-pair Giveaway by Complex.

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By now, you should have a firm grasp on the Nike LeBron 9 Low; Hyperfuse upper, no weave panel, 360-degree Max Air unit. After previewing a number of upcoming colorways (and providing the first detailed look at a Black/Volt/White pair not long ago), Sneaker News is now ready to roll out the red carpet on the upcoming Summer 2012 hit – the Nike LeBron 9 Low. Here we have a look at a new high-energy colorway that may very well be the Dark Grey/Mint Candy edition we showed you during the Summer 2012 preview of the shoe; it features a dark grey upper with the dazzling mint on the outsole with touches of aqua blue on the tongue, midfoot ‘wing’ and Max Air unit, and is currently being dubbed the ‘Easter’ edition (possibly a May release?). Do these rival the Solar Red or Sprite LeBron 8 V/2? Check out the detailed images below and let us know what you think. via marqueesole.

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The season hasn’t even started yet, and already we know a few things.  One is that the expectations for LeBron James’ Miami Heat are identical to last year’s, which is to say that they’re even higher given the growing pressure crunch of each year he goes without that elusive championship ring.  The other is that, as some people seem to forget or find funny to flippantly disregard, King James has enjoyed his fair share of crunch time glory (Detroit, you jelly?) and that’s one of the big reasons we know for a fact he’s going to be a 2012 NBA All-Star Game starter, if not the leading vote-getter.  So even if he never made good on that dunk contest promise from a few years back, LeBron will be stealing the show in this shimmering navy blue Nike LeBron 9 ‘All Star’.  We’ve already seen two super-energetic colorways in the presumed ‘Dunkman’ and all-new ‘Big Bang’ LeBron 9s earlier today; how does this relatively calm design match up?  Check these out after the jump, and stick with Sneaker News for the release date and all of the 2012 NBA All Star sneakers.  via Random Acts of Cool

UPDATE:  It has since been pointed out by Jason Petrie that these are not in fact the All-Star edition, but actually a Griffey-inspired version with possible Dunkman ties. Check it out here.

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“….him [Avar] and his team put it all in the pot in the Nike Kitchen, mix it up, and voila – out pops these.”

Kobe Bryant’s relationship with Eric Avar could possibly rival the greatest athlete-designer tandems in history – Michael Jordan and Tinker Hatfield. Now seven signature shoes deep (eight, if you count the Nike Hyperdunk, or nine, if you count the Nike Zoom Huarache 2k4), the Nike Zoom Kobe legacy has reached a point where its evolved into new conventions of basketball footwear performance – the interchangeable Attack Fast and Attack Strong cushioning systems. In this video, Kobe and Avar ‘pull the curtain back’ to discuss the design process behind the Nike Zoom Kobe VII, detailing some key elements and introducing some new colorways (we’ll touch on that later) while revisiting some of the older ideas of the Zoom Kobe element that have served as the foundation for the most heralded Nike Basketball signature of our generation. If anything, this video reveals how deeply ingrained Kobe Bryant is inside the design of his own sneaker line, as he and Avar share a few laughs about the design of the Kobe V, talk about his predatory spirit on the court, and the conception of the new Kobe VII pattern/skin.Check out the video and the imagery below and don’t forget to cop the Zoom Kobe VII System Supreme in stores right now.

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The other worldly Air Foamposite One ‘Galaxy’ Gentry Humphrey was spotted wearing at a recent event in Las Vegas has apparently been scrapped, no longer a part of the Nike Sportswear 2012 release calendar.  But that doesn’t mean the Swoosh isn’t ready with some intergalactic planetary funk in the form of a cutting edge basketball design.  The Nike LeBron 9 ’Big Bang’ is a superb example of how to reach beyond the typical inspiration for sneaker colorways without getting overly convoluted or bogged down in esoteric references.  The blazing colorway is something like the star from which each atom once eminated, the sewn-on tongue tag a first for this year’s LeBron James signature, and the groovy space image insoles finish off the theme perfectly.  This is a shoe that represents a shift in how we’ve come to think about the way basketball shoe palettes come together, one that reflects the impressive technical prowess of this design and one that fits the burst of energy when LeBron’s creating on the court.  Click through to see more and let us know how this ‘Big Bang’ LeBron 9 compares to the ‘All Star’ edition we just showed you.  via Marquee Sole

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We’ve come to expect certain colorways from certain signature sneakers, like Kobe Bryant’s various Lakers looks as well as the ongoing Batman and Bruce Lee storylines, Kevin Durant’s Creamcicles and just-about-every-shoe-out-there’s Blackouts.  And for LeBron James’ Nike Basketball signature series now in its ninth year, it’s an annual (or more) tradition to see neon accents grace some combination of white, grey/silver and/or black.  The ‘Dunkman’ colorway, as it’s known, symbolizes King James’ signature breakaway dunk and looks superb on the Nike LeBron 9 as pictured above.  While these images don’t depict the Dunkman insignia clearly, the colorway suggests that these dark grey, neon-soled Nines have indeed been inspired by ‘Bron’s alter ego.  Check them out in greater detail after the jump and let us know how these rank up against previous year’s Nike LeBron ‘Dunkman’ releases.  via Random Acts of Cool

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The more things change, the more they stay the same.  That’s one way of describing Nike Basketball’s Christmas Day 2011 pack headed up by the Nike LeBron 9 ‘Christmas’.  It’s a colorway strikingly similar to last year’s LeBron 8 V/2s, though its inclusion on what might just be the most advanced basketball shoe ever created, does indeed preserve the sense of progress building in LeBron’s signature series.  With the Zoom Kobe VII Supreme ‘Leopard’, we’re seeing a shift from last year’s all-green ‘Grinch’ getup to a more Lakers-oriented colorway, which itself has seen its supposed inspiration move from one wild jungle cat to another.  And rounding out the group is Amar’e Stoudemire’s Air Max Sweep ThruChristmas PE, a shoe previewed just like teammate Carmelo Anthony’s Xmas PEs in green and orange, now appearing with a Sport Red strap that seems far more befitting the season.  Reports had these arriving at retailers on Christmas Day, but stores like Extra Butter will be closed for the holiday and should have these in stock on Monday morning, December 26th.

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