kicks

I missed out on the retro release of the Air Max 95 and since then the design of the AM95 has grown on me. I think I’ll have to get me a pair sooner or later.

If sooner, these would be the ones…

If later, then perhaps these…

Technorati Tags: Kicks, Nike, shoes, sneakers

During Game 1 of the Cavs-Wiz playoff series, LeBron James wore new kicks foregoing his usual Zoom LeBron IV.

And then he rolled his ankle and is limping. Not a good way to introduce these shoes. Wonder if he’ll switch back to the higher cut Zooms for Game 2?

Technorati Tags: Kicks, lebron james, NBA, Nike, shoes, sneakers

In a previous post, I talked about NBA baller, Stephon Marbury, pimping his $15 shoes called the Starbury (Stephon Marbury + star = starbury). To prove these kicks are legit, he wears them in every NBA game (not sure if he gets a new pair every game, but at $15 each, I’m sure he can afford it).

Now, the Starbury line, brought to you by Steve and Barry’s, has signed another NBA baller in the imposing figure of Ben Wallace. Wallace will get his own signature Big Ben shoe line later this year. In the meantime, both Big Ben and the OG Starbury are wearing the recently released Starbury II.

I checked the Steve and Barry’s store locator and as suspected, there is no outlet in Hawaii. So no $15 Starburys for me. At $15, I’d try them out just because. I’d go with this colorway.

What’s your flava?

Technorati Tags: basketball, Kicks, NBA, shoes, sneakers

Maybe I’m still sad at not getting a pair of Jordan 3 Fire Reds since they’ve already sold out. But I think I’m more disappointed with the sales practices of Champs Sports. While looking for the shoe and talking with a Champs employee, he said the Fire Reds sold out real quick. He mentioned that the Ala Moana location received two cases (don’t know what’s in a case), but that the employees themselves bought one of the cases. I’m assuming they bought this case before the Fire Reds officially went on sale.

So essentially, what was left for the customers was half of the allotment. Is this right? If you ever read any articles from Creating Passionate Users, you know that users/customers are THE most important thing for services and businesses.

I also understand that as a kicks addict, you want an advantage getting kicks and expect some perks while working at a sneaker store. But taking half of the shoes that’s meant for the customers? There are other implications of these practices as well. Were these shoes really bought for Champs employees themselves or for their friends? Or worse, were these bought for the sole purpose of reselling them on eBay for a personal profit?

Instead of allowing Champs employees unrestricted access to inventory, how about limiting the sales of hot kicks and making more available to the customers. How about creating an employee incentive program where over performing workers are rewarded with the opportunity to purchase in-demand kicks? Something to curb the employees’ satiation for kicks and give more emphasis on making the customers happy.

So how does this non-emphasis on customers impact the overall business? Let’s take a quick look at the financial status of Champs Sports parent company Footlocker. Here’s a stock chart for Footlocker (FL) compared to Nike (NKE) for the past year.

What do you see in this comparison? I see FL stock staying within the same range while NKE stock is soaring over the same time period. You think there’s a correlation of some sort??

The Air Jordan Retro 3 “Fire Reds” were released this past Saturday and already they’re pretty much sold out at Ala Moana. There are some really big and really small sizes, but the commons sizes are gone.

On Saturday, I had my hands on a pair of size 9.5 at Footlocker, but instead I passed knowing how many pairs of good condition kicks I already own. That, and for some reason, I have a hard time paying premium costs for an older sneaker.

Usually when the madness of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament starts up, Nike (and other shoe companies) releases a new pair of sneaks for the teams in the tournament. This year, the Air Force 25 must be the shoe of choice (but it is kinda expensive for a team shoe).

Here are a few pics of the “Be True” Pack featuring AF25 colorways for championship teams.

Providence

Cincinnati

Too much patent leather for me but a very distinctive look on the court.

Technorati Tags: Kicks, March Madness, Nike, shoes, sneakers

Nike continues to push crazy designs for young (and naive) LeBron James. Check out this dope “Family Sized” colorway of his Zoom LeBron IV.

Going back to the classics, LeBron is also part of the New Six, the six NBA ballers representing the second coming of the Air Force 1 25th Anniversary. Here are pics of the AF1 XXV Anniversary Supreme ’07 New Six: LeBron James Low.

These retros feature a visible Nike Air system and go on sale this Saturday at Kicks Hawaii.

Don’t know the price of either, but they must be crazy expensive!!

Technorati Tags: Kicks, LeBron James, Nike, shoes, sneakers

Maybe some Old Skool for your whole clan?

Nike’s pushing LeBron James’ new lifestyle shoe, the Zoom LeBron Low ST, with a special release at nikebasketball.com. Starting on March 6, these hot kicks will go on sale for $110.

This is an off court shoe styled with canvas and corduroy. Nice detailing.

Technorati Tags: Kicks, LeBron James, Nike, shoes, sneakers