April 25th, 2012 by Brendan Dunne
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Some salty NBA fans might not put LeBron in the category of ‘elite’ players until he’s got a ring to show for his dominance, but even those doubters oughta have a hard time denying the elite status given to his post season sneaker for this year. The Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite is set to arrive in a group of colorways that are anything but conspicuous, with perhaps the least attention grabbing of the bunch still being a gaudy golden affair. With that being said the most attention grabbing of the bunch has to be this redux of the ‘South Beach’ colorway, a minty pair that we’ve seen gain a number of fans over the past couple weeks. Click through for more shots of the Nike LeBron 9 Elite PS ‘South Beach’ from RMK and if you feel the need to scoop them before the June 2nd release date, you can find some 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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April 25th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
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Questioning the definition of the word ‘elite’ was a major theme throughout the NFL season as the Super Bowl-winning quarterback proved you can’t spell that word without his own name. This year’s NBA season has moved with an accelerated pace that’s squelched some of this talk in favor of the mass of highlights out there every night, but there’s still plenty of chatter from talking heads about whether LeBron James is making the most of his once-in-a-lifetime potential. One easy way to shut up all the critics would be for King James to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy wearing a pair of Nike LeBron 9 Elites; but does this Varsity Maize colorup have enough Miami Heat tie-in to show up in the Playoffs, or will these end up a ‘street’ exclusive like so many recent memorable Nike LeBron drops? Stick with Sneaker News for updates as we approach the May 12th release date and check out some new images of the ‘Varsity Maize’ LeBron 9 Elite below. Photos: taobao
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite
Varsity Maize/Black-White
516958-700
05/12/12
$250
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April 25th, 2012 by Aaron Kr.
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Many sneaker fanatics and aficionados never take into consideration the painstaking efforts that go into creating the shoes that they love. The design process can be a tedious one, especially when you consider all of the factors that can sometimes tie a designer’s hands. One of the largest stumbling blocks is the need to keep materials and costs manageable in order to ensure that the final product is affordable for consumers and profitable for the brand. While we’d all love to see our Nike’s loaded up with large Air Max bags, full-length Zoom units, carbon fiber, foam and all those other costly amenities, the bottom line is that these coveted luxuries can often drive pricepoints out of control, urging the need for more cost-effective material options in their place.
But what would happen if Nike completely unchained the leash and opened the premium floodgates in the name of the ultimate performance basketball footwear? The answer is the Nike Basketball Elite Series, a no holds barred assault on the conventional design process and the budgeting limitations that can so often hold it back. For Nike Basketball designers Jason Petrie and Leo Chang, the Elite Series project is like a dream come true. With pricepoint constraints thrown out the window, the gloves were finally off to go out and reach for the pinnacle of performance basketball footwear glory. That kind of freedom doesn’t come along very often for most footwear designers, and when it does, it’s accompanied by a responsibility to meet lofty expectations.
For Jason, Leo and the rest of the Nike BBall team, the solution was to go back to the beginning to analyze and evaluate every aspect of each existing model to determine each and every place where performance could be enhanced. Materials were added, removed, invented, tweaked and shaved down, making the shoes lighter and stronger, as well as more responsive and comfortable, all in the name of providing NBA athletes and the consumers who buy the shoes with the ultimate option for the rigorous post season push. Right down to the types of threads that are woven into the laces and the sticky grips that contour to your step on the footbed, every possible detail has been considered and tailored to maximize the overall function of the shoe. The price tags might seem a bit high when you see these hit stores this weekend, but you get what you pay for and the Nike Basketball Elite Series has just raised the bar for what performance luxury can mean to a sneaker.
Continue reading for part 1 of our interview with Jason Petrie and Leo Chang and check back tomorrow for the follow-up featuring everything you need to know about upcoming Elite Series colorways.
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April 21st, 2012 by John K.
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There is no question LeBron James’ ‘Elite’ status in the league, but an NBA Championship Ring on his finger would easily fit him alongside the greatest to ever play the game. Next weekend, LeBron James will switch on his post-season fire as he laces up the LeBron 9 Elite – the $250 sneaker that has caused quite a stirring discussion in our comments area in regards to how the MSRP would have an effect on the limits of pricing of sneakers. The Varsity Maize colorway has been praised by some as being the best Elite offering we’ve seen thus far, and this May 12th, these can be yours for a quarter of a thousand dollars (add a few bucks if your states tacks on sales tax). Must-have for you? Check out this new detailed gallery below and chime in with your thoughts. Photos: SC
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite
Varsity Maize/Black-White
516958-700
05/12/12
$250
Read more →
April 19th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
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The 2012 NBA Playoffs begin on April 28th, and that’s the day you’ll be able to stand alongside Nike Basketball’s superstars when the new ultra-premium Elite Series hits select retailers. Key among these is the Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite ‘Away’ in black with Metallic Gold accents, a design that represents the pinnacle of technology as well as a new high water mark on the MSRP scale. The Zoom Kobe VII Elite and Hyperdunk 2011 Elite are both scheduled to drop in both ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ colorups along with the ‘Home’ LeBron 9 PS Elites next Saturday; with each pair over $200 and these LeBrons topping the list at $250, will you be able to make the pair pictured above part of a complete of this year’s playoff sneakers? Photos: Dunk
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite ‘Away’
Black/Metallic Gold-Black
516958-002
04/28/2012
$250.00
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April 18th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
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April 28th is shaping up to be the biggest day for basketball and its sneakers since the NBA All-Star weekend and its infamous ‘Galaxy’ releases, as the league begins its postseason schedule and Nike Basketball readies an impressive new array of performance models for its top-notch title chasers. The Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite will release in ‘Away’ and the above pictured ‘Home’ colorways on that day, and given that the Association typically rolls out roughly half the playoff series’ on that first Saturday, it’s quite possible that you’ll have yours before LeBron wears them in a game. But with the ‘Away’ edition also dropping that same day, as well as the Zoom Kobe VII Elites and Hyperdunk 2011 Elites, which ones do you plan to purchase? Let us know after you check out a new set of photos below and stick with Sneaker News for updates as we approach next Saturday’s drop at select retailers like Mr. R. Photos: ITSB
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite
White/Metallic Gold-Black
516958-100
04/28/2012
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March 28th, 2012 by John K.
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Stalley recently flossed his Home and Away digs of the Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite, so the question is: Will you rock ‘em on the 4/28 release date? With the matte black finish and the metallic gold foil accents, the ‘Away’ Elite look right out of an Egyptian tomb, emanating that sense of ancient royalty thanks to the regal colorway and authoritative design. $250 is certainly a big price increase from the LeBron 9 (roughly a 50% increase), but are you willing to overlook that on release date? Peep these new photos below and let us know what your plans are for the LeBron 9 P.S. Elite. Photos via a-knight
Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite ‘Away’
Black/Metallic Gold-Black
516958-002
04/28/2012
$250.00
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March 26th, 2012 by Aaron Hope
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LeBron James tweeted a shoutout to the University of Kentucky Wildcats in congratulations of their Final Four appearance, but guys like Anthony Davis really want to be playing against the King in the NBA. That’s where you attain the ultimate life of luxury, and if you happen to be the best of the best, pick to get paid millions by a team with the friendliest of locales. The Nike LeBron 9 P.S Elite ‘South Beach’ celebrates Miami’s familiar pastels with the trendy grey base, a progression we knew to expect based on the signature Dunkman palette moving away from strictly black in its recent iterations. But would you have rather seen the carbon fiber-wrapped ‘South Beach’ LeBron 9 Elite in all teal and pink like last year’s legendary release? Let us know when you click through to see a fresh batch of images and stick with Sneaker News for the exact release date on this Q2 drop. Photos: Bowiekiddo on NT
Nike LeBron 9 Elite
Wolf Grey/Mint Cindy-New Green-Pink Flash
516958-001
Summer 2012
$250
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