Kicks Through the Lens (Week 1)

Kicks Through the Lens (Week 1)

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by | Dec 28, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

Week 1 of the 2020-21 NBA season is now over. There have already been blowouts, buzzer beaters, injuries, and of course, new sneaker storylines. Ranking the Top 10 sneakers worn on court this week was quite a challenge. There were shoes that didn’t make the countdown this week that would’ve been in the Top 5 on other weeks not even a year ago. James Harden finally debuted the Adidas Harden Vol. 5 on court. Paul George also had a debut of his own, sporting the much-anticipated Nike PG 5 in his Christmas Day bout against the Los Angeles Lakers. Second-year stud, Ja Morant, continues to turn back the clock and sport some of the most prominent models and colorways in the Kobe line’s history. De’Aaron Fox rocked one of, if not the best, Kobe 5 Protro P.E. colorway we have ever seen. It’s going to be hard to compete with the Swoosh this season as they have a stronghold on both the retro market and new models alike.

LeBron James might very well break the record this week for amount of times he is in the countdown. James had a few things going for him in his favor though – special “Ring Night” colorways that he donned in the Lakers’ first game of the season, his first Christmas-themed signature colorway since the 13’s, as well as a throwback color scheme to perfectly match the old school Minneapolis Lakers uniform. New Balance has officially signed Jamal Murray to their roster, joining the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Dejounte Murray, and Darius Bazley. Dejounte Murray recently broke out a brand new basketball silhouette for NB called the Two-Way. Could a signature sneaker for Jamal Murray be in New Balance’s future plans? Scroll below to see a stacked week of the first installment of Kicks Through the Lens for the 2020-21 season.

 

 

**Honorable Mention** – Nike LeBron 18 “Ring Night” P.E. – LeBron James

 

     

 

 

10. Nike PG 5 – Paul George

 

           

 

 

9. Reebok Question Mid “Abominable Snowman” P.E. – Montrezl Harrell

 

     

 

 

8. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Khris Middleton

 

     

 

 

7. Nike Kobe 10 Elite Low iD – DeMar DeRozan

 

     

 

 

6. Nike LeBron 18 “Christmas” – LeBron James

 

           

 

 

5. Nike Kobe 8 “What the Kobe” – Ja Morant

 

           

 

 

4. Nike LeBron 18 “MPLS” P.E. – LeBron James

 

           

 

 

3. Nike Kobe 6 “Kay Yow” – Ja Morant

 

           

 

 

2. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – De’Aaron Fox

 

           

 

 

1. Nike LeBron 18 “Ring Night” P.E. – LeBron James

 

           

 

 

 

 

Dec 28, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

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by | Dec 26, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Merry Christmas everyone! From our extended SneakerReporter family to yours, we wish you happy, happy holidays! It’s been a long, rough year, but if you are able to just be with family and friends during this wondrous time, that’s a blessing in itself. And per tradition on Christmas day, we have one more NBA Basketball game that’s just a little under an hour away! Five games, and a preview of each of them, are coming down the chimney for viewing and reading pleasure, so go and grab your favorite Yuletide beverage, kick back, and get ready for game one of our NBA quintuple-header choc’ full o’ holiday action!

The last game on the schedule: Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers head to the mile-high city to do battle against the host Denver Nuggets for the fifth and final Christmas Day game of 2020, tipping off at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

To say there’s dignity on the line for the first of four matchups between these two teams in the West is a bit of an understatement. It’s been a little over 86 days since the last time these two teams saw each other in a secluded Western Conference Semifinals, and it didn’t end well for the Clippers, whose main stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard shriveled up in the clutch, making a combined 24 points off 10-38 shooting in a decisive game 7.

That devastating series loss debunked any beliefs about the Clippers being title favorites last season, and from becoming the talk of the town with arguably one of the best offseasons ever, that blown 3-1 lead over the Nuggets did irreparable harm to the synergy of the team. They let go of their head coach, were forced to watch Montrezl Harrell switch colors in LA to purple and gold after contractual talks deconstructed, and have had months to transpire over what went wrong in the bubble. They’re in a new campaign now, with new leaders in place and new goals.

They made sure of succeeding in one of those goals by knocking off the world champion Lakers last Tuesday on opening night, and when they allowed Paul George to move things in the offense, there was a new adjusted mindset that was visible; these Clippers were here for business.

As for Denver, they lost an overtime nailbiter to the Sacramento Kings, as Buddy Hield tipped in a botched Harrison Barned dunk attempt at the buzzer. Nikola Jokic was in early MVP form with a 29 point, 15 rebound, 14 assist triple-double, but everyone with the exception of Michael Porter Jr. (24 pts.) looked flat and played uninspiring basketball in their home opener. With national eyes on them, it’s likely they won’t play like that again.

But if the Jamal Murray that NBA fans witnessed ravage the bubble averaging 22.6 points per game against the Clippers shows up tonight, as well as the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play with a sense of redemption on their minds, it could be the best conclusion for an NBA Christmas Day you could ever watch.

Dec 26, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

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by | Dec 26, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Merry Christmas everyone! From our extended SneakerReporter family to yours, we wish you happy, happy holidays! It’s been a long, rough year, but if you are able to just be with family and friends during this wondrous time, that’s a blessing in itself. And per tradition on Christmas day, we have more NBA Basketball just a little under an hour away! Five games, and a preview of each of them, are coming down the chimney for viewing and reading pleasure, so go and grab your favorite Yuletide beverage, kick back, and get ready for game one of our NBA quintuple-header choc’ full o’ holiday action!

The fourth game on the schedule: A battle of 0-1 squad, as the winless Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, continue a rich Staples Center holiday tradition and add another chapter to this historic Western Conference rivalry, live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET.

It’s a tale of the game’s greatest, squaring off against the future’s brightest. And a tale as old as time it is. Consider it the war of the Triple-Double, as LeBron James and Luka Doncic square off for what feels like the fifth time in their careers. It’s true that your idols become your rivals when you make your name known, and that’s been the case for the MVP preseason favorite Luka Doncic. The 22-year old has been dynamic in every way, and quite literally is a five-tool player.

And for the Mavericks, who are playing on Christmas Day since 2011 when another European forward was making all types of plays for a defending champion, they get the chance to showcase their youth and growth into a competitor in a saturated West against LeBron James again, the benchmark of greatness in this league.

It feels like yesterday when LeBron James was going toe to toe with Dirk Nowitzki were having their classic battles in Western-Eastern exhibition, but now Luka is the man leading the charge against the old guard. And the reigning champs, desperate to earn their first win of the season after nearly going scoreless in the fourth quarter against the Clippers, want to keep their foot on the gas pedal and beat a team they went 3-1 against last year.

Anthony Davis will look to make some shockwaves against the Mavs in his second-ever Christmas Day game. This will be one of the most offensively-endowed games today, and Luka and LBJ are more than likely going to fill the stat-sheet with all types of crazy assists and other highlights, set for your pleasure and enjoyment as you and your family eat up all those delectable holiday treats.

Dec 26, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics

SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics

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by | Dec 25, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Merry Christmas everyone! From our extended SneakerReporter family to yours, we wish you happy, happy holidays! It’s been a long, rough year, but if you are able to just be with family and friends during this wondrous time, that’s a blessing in itself. And per tradition on Christmas day, we have more NBA Basketball just a little under an hour away! Five games, and a preview of each of them, are coming down the chimney for viewing and reading pleasure, so go and grab your favorite Yuletide beverage, kick back, and get ready for game one of our NBA quintuple-header choc’ full o’ holiday action!

The third game on the schedule: the 1-0 Brooklyn Nets, fresh off a home beatdown handed to the Golden State Warriors, start their first road trip of the season by visiting ol’ Beantown as Kyrie Irving makes his anticipated return to Boston’s TD Garden in a 5:00 p.m. ET showdown on ABC.

Boston is too coming off one of the most impressive outings of the Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown era: a 120-119 thriller that saw Boston avoid overtime, thanks to a bricked second free throw by reigning 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with 0.4 seconds left. Jayson Tatum’s last-second heroics and 30 points off 12-of-28 shooting guaranteed them starting on the winning track against conference rival Milwaukee, but the gradual rise of Jaylen Brown, who scored 33 points off 13-of-24 shooting in the win against the Bucks, is proving a lot of his believers that spoke highly of him and how he should’ve been announced as an Eastern All-Star last year with such a strong opening day performance.

And on that topic, there’s been some change for the Celtics, more specifically on their bench. New veteran pickup Jeff Teague (19 points off 7-15 shooting and a perfect 4-for-4 from deep) was the tenured marksman that resembled his younger Atlanta self, but big man depth was the biggest question mark on their list of necessary improvements. That’ll be something to monitor today since they’ll lose some of it. Robert Williams has contracted an illness and won’t be active for this one, so Daniel Theis and Grant Williams will have to compensate and take his workload of guarding DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen.

As for the wings, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown face their hardest defensive matchup yet: the Durantula, Kevin Durant. But for KD, guarding the Boston duo isn’t as simple as thought. Whatever percentage Durant was at during their win against the Warriors, he looked spry and shifty as if his injury never happened. And for Kyrie, who was sidelined the rest of the year with shoulder issues last season, is looking to make a statement against the team that let him walk to Brooklyn after a disastrous divorce following the 2019 playoff series against the Bucks.

So for what is perhaps the most controversial and compelling game of the season so far, it should go well with your family’s Christmas dinner (y’know, if you like some drama with your mashed potatoes). Kick back and enjoy!

Dec 25, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks

SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks

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by | Dec 25, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Merry Christmas everyone! From our extended SneakerReporter family to yours, we wish you happy, happy holidays! It’s been a long, rough year, but if you are able to just be with family and friends during this wondrous time, that’s a blessing in itself. And per tradition on Christmas day, we have NBA Basketball just a little under an hour away! Five games, and a preview of each of them, are coming down the chimney for viewing and reading pleasure, so go and grab your favorite Yuletide beverage, kick back, and get ready for game one of our NBA quintuple-header choc’ full o’ holiday action!

The second game on the schedule: Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors travel to icy Milwaukee to take on reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in another Holiday classic, set to tip-off at 2:30 p.m. ET, or whenever Pelicans-Heat concludes on ABC.

Both teams are coming off losses, but one has lost more than the other. Draymond Green still has to wait to debut for his Warriors this season, as he’s handicapped with a foot injury sustained during training camp and preseason. So it’ll be the one-man show Stephen Curry runs that the Dubs have to place their trust in to get their first win in upsetting fashion against a Bucks team that was historically great last season on the defensive end.

As for Milwaukee, they saw good things in new starting guard Jrue Holiday in their one-point loss to Boston via a Jayson Tatum last-second stepback jumper. As one of the more impressive signings of the offseason, the two-way guard and former All-Star will have the distinct task of stopping Curry from launching 40-foot three-balls off screens and off the dribble, and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will be matched up with 2020’s second-overall pick James Wiseman. It’s surely a measuring stick game for the rookie to see where he stacks up against the game’s very elite, and it should be pretty entertaining to watch the two go at it during the opener of the afternoon slot of games.

Golden State probably won’t be as poor as they were against Brooklyn, losing by 26 on the road. Still, scoring inside will be a difficult challenge to complete, so whatever adjustments Steve Kerr makes on the fly might decide who takes home the first win of their seasons.

Dec 25, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat

SR – NBA Christmas Day Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Miami Heat

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by | Dec 25, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Merry Christmas everyone! From our extended SneakerReporter family to yours, we wish you happy, happy holidays! It’s been a long, rough year, but if you are able to just be with family and friends during this wondrous time, that’s a blessing in itself. And per tradition on Christmas day, we have NBA Basketball just a little under an hour away! Five games, and a preview of each of them, are coming down the chimney for viewing and reading pleasure, so go and grab your favorite Yuletide beverage, kick back, and get ready for game one of our NBA quintuple-header choc’ full o’ holiday action!

The first game on the schedule: the New Orleans Pelicans take a trip to sunny South Beach to battle the Miami Heat on ABC at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Pelicans are fresh off a season-opening 113-99  road thrashing of the Toronto Raptors and really looked like the young, talented team that fueled those preseason expectations of this Stan Van Gundy-coached team making the postseason. Engineered by the unstoppable force named Zion Williamson, who finished with a rattling 18 points off 7-9 shooting as Toronto was struggling all night stopping him from getting to the rack with that tremendous strength and explosiveness he’s blessed with. For Williamson, this has to be the greatest gift of them all, since the 2nd year star out of Duke was sidelined through last January as a result of the injury to his left meniscus and wasn’t able to play in his first Christmas Day game.

Now that he has his chance, NBA fans can expect to see Zion slash his way through Miami’s defense and finish atop the rim with fervent, though it won’t be easy. Though Miami is coming off a tough loss to the Magic, the season is young and it’s only a matter of time until Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, and crew recalibrate and earn their first win.

This game is going to be a lot of fun and should feature a lot of all-star talent. It will be interesting to see how Brandon Ingram is guarded by Bam Adebayo or Jimmy Butler, and who wants to take initiative and stand in front of Zion to limit his ferocious drives and off-ball cuts inside the lane and on the baseline. Additionally, how does Miami’s offense continue to etch in Tyler Herro as their primary facilitator? And seeing as there isn’t a do-all No. 1 man in this offense, will Jimmy Butler, Herro, or Duncan Robinson be the biggest factor on offense against an effective defensive team that has long bodies around the perimeter?

Two solid rosters will collide, and those questions and more will be answered come tip-off.

Dec 25, 2020 No Comments