During an extended inset chat with Lisa Salters that to everyone outside of the Boston area was likely the most emotionally engaging aspect of what has been to this point the less interesting Eastern Conference semifinal, 76ers legend Allen Iverson struggled to convey the importance of his connection to Philadelphia’s fans. AI avoided directly contradicting Kevin Garnett’s ‘fairweather’ comment and stuck to the facts, confessing that he nearly teared up while walking wobbly legged off the court after presenting the game ball in Wednesday night’s Sixers win. It’s difficult to put into words just how much of a difference the distance north on I-95 made in his life, but there is indeed an iconic sneaker synonymous with Iverson‘s memorable first season.
A good portion of rookie AI’s first campaign was played in this red-toed colorway of the Reebok Question, a sneaker that’s been around the block and back again, issued in a variety of retro and team-oriented renditions in the sixteen years since its debut. We got a similar drop back in 2009, but pearly toed pairs Iverson and Swizz Beatz have recently been spotted rocking are truer OGs than those suede-tipped joints. The timing of the May 25th release of one of the greatest non-Nike/Jordan basketball signatures now seems utterly magical with AI’s presence boosting the 76ers to a seventh and deciding game in Beantown the following day; let us know your plans to cop along with your take on which is more likely: a Philly win or an Iverson NBA comeback? Photos: Yahoo!
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What happens when you smash together all the crazy animal influences that have been thrown on the Nike Zoom Kobe VII since its lifespan begin with that Cheetah styled Christmas pair? You get this zoo of a sneaker, the latest product of Nike’s extended interest in the whole ‘What the…” theme. With so many sneakers crammed into one, the two differing shoes ooze detail, from the separate beastly prints running the length of the upper to the colorful treatment on the inner lining. Stay with us after the jump for a full look at the Nike Zoom Kobe VII ‘What the Kobe’ and keep your fingers crossed for info on a retail release soon. Photos: Sneaker Freaker
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Don Johnson was expertly cast as Kenny Powers’ father for the second and third seasons of HBO’s brilliant Eastbound & Down, and just like series lead Danny McBride, Johnson was once singularly associated with a TV character that defined a generation. James ‘Sonny’ Crockett will forever be remembered for how his rolled-sleeved blazers mirrored early ’80s new wave culture, and now this aesthetic returns as a showpiece for a guy who’s probably the most famous Miami resident. The ‘South Beach’ Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite gives us that pastel look Miami Vice made famous, but whereas last year’s monster hit Eights went for an overwhelming burst of color, these present their time capsule offering blended with grey. This highly anticipated LeBron 9 Elite embodies the culmination of a trend that has its roots in 2010′s ‘Cool Grey’ Jordan XI and that year’s aforementioned LeBron 8s; will you be there for the climax when these arrive at Nike Basketball retailers next Saturday, June 2nd? Check out some nice images from ITSB and look out for these at select retailers like Mr. R in Miami or get yourself a pair early now on eBay.
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite
Wolf Grey/Mint Candy-New Green-Pink Flash
516958-001
06/02/12
$250
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It’s somewhat difficult to define because there’s never been a series quite like this, but anyone who’s considered themselves a sneakerhead long enough to have seen the entirety of Carmelo Anthony’s Jordan Brand signature series knows that Melos have a distinct aesthetic feel that’s marked the entire eight-shoe run. The Melo M8 followed up on the Flywire introduced on the M7 Advance that had only been hinted at by the M7′s columnar build, and now that lightweight tech stretches beyond performance into personalization. It’s not shaped identically to the logo on the tongue, but there’s no mistaking the zig-zag of Flywire strapping for anything but an ‘M’ on the newly unveiled Jordan Melo M9, a shoe whose newly exteriorized side panel reinforcements not only integrate perfectly with the lacing system, but also accentuate the kinds of high-contrast colorways that are given when you play for the New York Knicks. Have a better look at these after the jump below and let us know how they compare to Carmelo’s other Jordans, as well as other ‘bare’ Flywire designs like the original LeBron 9 Elite samples and the upcoming Lunar Hyperdunk 2012. Photos: truthao
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With the New York Knicks about to award interim coach Mike Woodson with a multiyear contract, one can’t help but notice that ‘What if?’ would be second only to ‘Linsanity’ for 2011-12 team taglines. What if the Knicks had Woodson and Jeremy Lin from the start, and what if Amar’e had tapped into the power of ‘serenity now’? Might an improved regular season record and resultant easier path through the playoffs have culminated in Lin’s Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 Low ‘Away’ PE drop coinciding with an NYK/MIA Eastern Conference Finals matchup instead of their lopsided first round affair? It’s easy to let your imagination run wild with the kind of unpredictability we’ve already experienced, and with the summer right around the corner, Lin’s Hyperdunk 2011 Lows hitting retailers this Saturday, May 26th gives Knicks fans closure for this season of ‘could’ve beens’. Check out a set of new images after the jump and grab yours before this weekend’s rush from skit_japan on eBay.
Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 Low
Black/Orange Blaze
487638-081
05/26/2012
$100
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Looking forward to what the summer has in store for retro models at large, it’s hard not to be excited. Particularly interesting is the way the sneaker landscape is threatening to diversify, with basketball greats that have made their exit from the hardwood getting a revival through their respective lines. Enter Ewing Athletics, the re-birthed company that is set to bring back the footwear of Hall of Fame big man Patrick Ewing. The info has been kept under lock and key up to this point, with confirmation of the Ewing 33 Hi coming back and not much else. Breaking things open a bit more is the just launched official website of Ewing Athletics, a space which promises to be the hub for the renaissance. Right now on the site you can get some background info on the genesis of the company and also take a look at some vintage models and vote for which you’d most want to see as a retro release. Click through for some shots and make sure to check out the site and let us know if you’re amped for the August return of Ewing Athletics.
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Even if he represents a different conference than the one many would have expected were this statement uttered just a month or so ago, adidas does indeed find itself with a legitimate shot to capture the NBA Championship with one of its marquee players. The Great Tim Duncan is leading a San Antonio Spurs team that’s playing like a well-oiled machine, and even if Timmay is too big to rock Crazy Lights night in and night out, here’s a new pair that’d perfectly match SATX’ unique greyscale uniforms. The adidas adiZero Crazy Light 2 in Dark Onyx and Tech Grey with white accents is better suited to slashing players who look to maximize their lightweight advantage with razor sharp lateral cuts. This pair will arrive at select adidas Basketball retailers on Thursday, May 24th, and are already up for pre-order at Eastbay and Foot Locker.
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Ray Allen’s Air Jordan Retro Player Exclusives prove that he’s sneaker game is untouchable (no disrespect to any of the winners in our 2012 NBA Feet Awards). During last night’s crucial Game 5 match-up between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Sixers, Ray proved again that his PE game is one lock as he wore the Air Jordan 2012 in a sick White/Green PE, matching his Boston Home threads. Ray’s role has diminished considerably, but you can bet his clutch sharpshooting will be deciding moments for Game 6 and a possible Game 7, so check out Ray in his latest PE heat after the jump and we’ll keep you in tune with more NBA Feet action! Photos: espn
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