Inspired by the Nigerian Soccer Team and A Sport His Father and Him Bonded Over

Inspired by the Nigerian Soccer Team and A Sport His Father and Him Bonded Over

Sneaker Releases

by | Jul 16, 2020 | Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

As the first colorway to debut the Nike Zomm Freak 2, dubbed the “Naija” pays homage to the Nigerian national soccer team. Dressed in the same colors and textures that grace their uniforms.

In Nigeria(the homeland of Giannis’ parents) soccer is seen as a uniting force for boundless potential, youthful exuberance, and infectious charisma fuel national pride. Giannis’ late father, Charles, bonded with his sons through the beautiful game, furthering Giannis’ own passion for the sport. This bright-hued results in perfectly encapsulate the spirit of Naija: audacious, fast, fun, and stylish.

The Nike Zoom Freak 2 is said to further unlocker Giannis’ unstoppable Euro-step, with an outsole built specifically for that move while still maintaining compatibility for all positions of all sizes. The key to unlocking this lethal move was to analysis of Giannis’ and understand the physics. It was revealed that he drives off the forefoot and lands on his heels in unorthodox ways. With that knowledge, the decision was made to decouple the outsole – or separate into two pieces – while a supportive shank in the midsole keeps him grounded. A reinforced outrigger by the pinky toe further protects Antetokounmpo’s feet when he lands. The outrigger also fortifies the high-wear area for lasting durability.

Officially launches on July 25th in the “Naija” colorway on Nike SNKRS, Nike.com,  and the retailers worldwide at a price tag of $130 USD.

Jul 16, 2020 No Comments
Nike Officially Introduces the Zoom Freak 2

Nike Officially Introduces the Zoom Freak 2

Sneaker Releases

by | Jul 16, 2020 | Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

Nike Basketball has officially unveiled Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second signature shoe, the Zoom Freak 2.

As his game continues to evolve, so does his signature sneakers this model is fine-tuned for the reigning NBA MVP has a unique skill set. To help make his moves more effective on the court, like one his most dangerous moves the Eurostep.

“What Giannis does in space is directly connected to his body proportions,” Ross Klein, Senior Creative Director for Nike Basketball, said in a press release. “What’s different about his movements is that he’s causing so much pressure when he hits those steps, like the Eurostep, that we need to help propel him and contain him further near the toe.”

Nike Zoom Freak 2 “Naija”

The Swoosh branding has been reverted to its traditional state featured on a textile mesh upper that allows the shoe to flex as needed. Siting atop a lightweight foam midsole is a Zoom Air cushioning unit in the forefoot for explosiveness while a shank plate and the decoupled outsole provides stability. Additional details include his “GA” logo on the heel counter as well as both his parent’s name etched onto the midsole.

The green colorway dubbed “Naija” are set to be the debut for the Zoom Freak 2 starting July 25 on Nike.com and at select retailers at $130, while the other will be $120. After that, the “Black/White” pair on August 7th, “Bamo” colorway on September 18th, and the “White Cement” edition on October 1st.

Nike Zoom Freak 2 “Black/White”
Nike Zoom Freak 2 “ Bamo”
Nike Zoom Freak 2 “White Cement”

Jul 16, 2020 No Comments
Top 10 #BubbleKicks from the NBA in Orlando

Top 10 #BubbleKicks from the NBA in Orlando

Featured

by | Jul 16, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

The 2019-20 NBA season is (almost) back, but NBA players are already in full swing when it comes to their on-court kicks. With no fans to watch and no NBA arenas hosting games, players’ sneaker choices will have to be seen by the few lucky ones that are in attendance. Before we officially get back to games in a couple of weeks, we wanted to make a quick Top 10 list of the best sneakers in the “Bubble” so far. It’s been quite some time since we’ve done a list regarding the current kicks scene in the NBA, but your usual suspects are back like they never left.

 

Jordan Brand athletes continue to don new P.E.’s of the Jordan XXXIV’s. Nike athletes are coming heavy with the Nike Kobe 5 Protros, almost as if they had P.E. colorways stashed away for months. New signature sneakers have been debuted in the Bubble as well, with Donovan Mitchell sporting his second signature shoe, the D.O.N. Issue #2 and PUMA athletes debuting the long-awaited RS Dreamer – the signature sneaker of J. Cole. LeBron James has been mixing it up with low and high versions of his 17th signature model, along with a particularly eye-catching colorway. Look below for our list of the Top 10 #BubbleKicks to see which athletes are returning to form in the most heat.

 

 

10. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 “Crayola” – Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz

 

     

 

 

9. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Tobias Harris – Philadelphia 76ers

 

     

 

 

8. PUMA RS Dreamer – Kyle Kuzma – Los Angeles Lakers

 

     

 

 

7. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – P.J. Tucker – Houston Rockets

 

     

 

 

6. Jordan XXXIV P.E. – Rui Hachimura – Washington Wizards

 

     

 

 

5. Nike Lebron XVII “Courage” – LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers

 

           

 

 

4. Nike KD 13 “Chill” – Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies

 

     

 

 

3. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Buddy Hield – Sacramento Kings

 

     

 

 

2. Nike Lebron XVII Low P.E. – LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers

 

     

 

 

1. Nike Kobe 5 Protro “EYBL” – DeMar DeRozan – San Antonio Spurs

 

           

Jul 16, 2020 No Comments
Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer Release Details

Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer Release Details

Featured

by | Jul 14, 2020 | Featured, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

Jaden Smith is a multifaceted and undeniably talented human. Jaden’s music, fashion sense and philanthropic efforts make him one of the foremost purveyors of the zeitgeist. His forward thinking personality is one of the multitude of reasons New Balance chose Jaden as one of their latest collaborators. The New Balance Vision Racer is a melding Smith’s favorite New Balance models the New Balance X-Racer and the New Balance 1700. 

The main draw of the Vision Racer is the chunky exaggerated midsole drawn from the X-Racer. While the midsole is the draw, the details of the Vision Racer don’t get lost in the sauce. The translucent outsole underneath the shoe’s rectangular midsole features a ((VISION)) detail as a nod to the rapper’s SYRE and ERYS albums. ((VISION)) is also found wrapping around the shoe’s foxing showing there are no details too small for the vanguard designers. Dressed in “Wavy Baby Blue” the Vision Racer is already eye-catching enough but the shine doesn’t end there. Reflective hints are found throughout the silhouette including on the tongue webbing, upper piping, and the iconic N found on the quarter panel. 

The Vision Racer isn’t just a representation of Jaden’s fashionable tastes, it also affirms Jaden’s commitment to sustainability. The shoe’s chunky midsole includes reground EVA foam. The Vision Racer is constructed of 60% recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic. Even the insoles are a product of circular design combining recycled foam, castor bean oil, and rubber with virgin polyurethane. 

The Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer releases on July 24th on the New Balance webstore for $150.

Jul 14, 2020 No Comments
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins the Converse Family

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins the Converse Family

Featured

by | Jul 9, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

In their heyday, Converse was a basketball powerhouse. Top basketball stars like Dr. J, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson donned the Converse Weapon during their legendary tenures making it one of the most popular shoes of all time. Throughout the years, Converse had bright spots on the basketball court including Larry Johnson’s Aero Jam in 1993 and D-Wade’s signature line before his departure to Jordan Brand.

Though Converse’s star on the court may have dimmed a bit in subsequent years, the brand has been retooling their basketball line and the signature athletes supporting them. Since dropping models like the All-Star Pro BB and the Converse G4, the One Star has added All-Star and champion Draymond Green, burgeoning forward Kelly Oubre Jr., and WNBA star Natasha Cloud. Now,  Converse has added even more talent and depth to their growing roster by adding the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 

Since his college days under John Calipari in Kentucky, the Toronto, Canada native has shown the tools to do it all. In his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, SGA put the world on notice with a breakout series in the playoffs against the Warriors. Following a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder as a piece of the monumental Paul George trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to improve, becoming the youngest player to accrue a 20-20-10 stat line.

 It isn’t just SGA’s crafty game and two-way ability that make him the perfect fit for Converse, either. SGA has emerged as one of the league’s most fashionable talents alongside fellow Converse compatriot Kelly Oubre Jr. After seeing Oubre’s recent release, it is clear that Converse is giving the power to the players to take advantage of their fashionable flair and creativity to bring a new edge to the court. 

With Oubre being sidelined and Draymond’s Warriors missing out on the NBA’s return in Orlando, Gilgeous-Alexander will step on the court as Converse’s only on-court representative.  In his announcement, SGA can be seen with the legendary Pro Leather draped over his shoulder which is more of an off-court look and in a custom OKC Thunder colorway of the low All-Star Pro BB, just the first in the “many flavors to come” he teased on his Instagram Story. With SGA joining the team, Converse Basketball is in great hands. 

 

Jul 9, 2020 No Comments
Nike Dunk Low “Lemon Wash” Release Info

Nike Dunk Low “Lemon Wash” Release Info

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by | Jul 6, 2020 | Featured, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

Joining a hefty aggregation of other Nike Dunk Low releases this year is the eye-catching “Lemon Wash” colorway. Covering the legendary silhouette in a mixture of Multi-Color, Midnight Turquoise, Cardinal Red, and Lemon Wash may seem to be haphazard but if the speckled outsole is constructed from the same material of as the Space Hippie line it may signal that this shoe was designed with the same circular design purposes as the Space Hippie family.

The upper consists of a canvas construction with various prints covering it and the colorway is tied together with the hints of yellow found on the swoosh, heel tab, and tongue. 

The Nike Dunk Low “Lemon Wash” is set to release later this year.

Images via Soledebrief

Jul 6, 2020 No Comments