Craving These ASICS Kicks Collaboration
atmos teaming with ASICSTIGER for these tiger camo Gel-LyteIII is simply crave worthy.
ASICSTIGER × atmos GEL-LYTE? "GREEN CAMO" from atmos tokyo on Vimeo.
shoes
Lonzo Ball Should Reboot Converse
In the NBA Summer League, rookie Lonzo Ball played and earned MVP honors while wearing a variety of kicks. Of course he represented the family’s Big Baller Brand, but he also sampled signature models from Kobe, Harden, Curry, and Jordan. Check out Lonzo’s performance analyzed by SBNation.
Who knows what this all means. But if Lonzo is actually going to sign with an established shoe company, he should consider Nike, specifically Converse. While Nike owns Converse, let’s be honest – Nike has no apparent plan for this brand. Nike tried reviving Converse with DWade, but Wade ultimately landed with the Chinese Li-Ning.
So why Converse? Well why not? I admire Lavar Ball’s crazy albeit true sentiment regarding athletes being their own brand. But a partnership could be synergistic especially for a brand that currently has no identity and for the Balls who have an identity (and the balls).
So again, why Converse? Let’s harken to the history of the Los Angeles Lakers who drafted Lonzo. Remember that other time the Lakers drafted a big point guard? Showtime was born with Magic Johnson leading the break wearing Converse Weapons.
So why not see if history can repeat itself? Let’s see Lonzo lace up the Weapon ZO2 and get to work.
My Japan Education: Nike ACG 07 KMTR
Just look at this new Nike creation, born from Nike Labs under the All Conditions Gear (ACG) label. The NikeLab ACG 07 KMTR is built for the urban commuter.
Featuring no laces but instead a draw string to tighten the upper and a forefoot strap secured by magnets, the KMTR is meant to be easily removed and worn. This setup sounds perfect for an experience in Japan where shoe removal is all too common.
Of course, I’m wondering about the overall support and stability of this shoe since there are no traditional shoe laces for lockdown. Granted, I really can’t see wearers working out in these, but they have to stay put.
Update: Looks like the KMTR is just about sold out.
Adidas NMD_ Is Nomadic
I’m guessing that the NMD line for Adidas is a shortform of “nomadic.” Because after getting this pair of NMD_R1, they’re already on the move, headed back to Adidas.
That glitch colorway is fun but subtle. It’s that PrimeKnit upper that is of issue. Because it’s a single piece construction without a separate shoe tongue, there’s just not a whole lot you can do to adjust fit. The laces essentially just cinch up the unstructured woven “sack” that is the shoe upper.
The NMD looks distinctive and is popular, but its fit is definitely not for everyone.
Good Bye Easy Mint
(Not) so easy come, but easy goes goes this Easy Mint colorway of the Adidas Ultraboost. Adidas’ inconsistent sizing strikes again where this women’s size 7 was bigger than a women’s size 7.
Oh well. I still love the color, but if it don’t fit right, there’s not much choice…
Kicks Analysis 2017 #8: The Champ
Too much Jordan. Has to be, but in any case, North Carolina barely outlasted Gonzaga in the Finals of 2017 Men’s NCAA basketball season. It was tight until the end before that 9-2 burst by the Tarheels did in the Bulldogs.
Of course, I was rooting for the underdog since the Gonzaga basketball program has yet to win a National Championship, but how can you fault the “opposing” team for wearing the Cool Gray colorway of the Air Jordan 11?
Going back to 1999, the kicks title looks like this:
- 1999 Connecticut (Nike)
- 2000 Michigan State (Reebok Answers)
- 2001 Duke (Nike)
- 2002 Maryland (Nike Shox Stunners)
- 2003 Syracuse (Nike Shox)
- 2004 Connecticut (Nike Lebron Zoom Generation and Air Force Operates)
- 2005 North Carolina (Nike Retro Jordan X)
- 2006 Florida (Nike)
- 2007 Florida (Nike)
- 2008 Kansas (Adidas)
- 2009 North Carolina (Nike)
- 2010 Duke (Nike)
- 2011 Connecticut (Nike)
- 2012 Kentucky (Nike)
- 2013 Louisville (Adidas)
- 2014 Connecticut (Nike Kobe 8 or Venomenon)
- 2015 Duke (Nike)
- 2016 Villanova (Nike Kyrie 2)
- 2017 North Carolina (Nike/Jordan)
That’s 16 championships for Nike in the past 19 years, upping the Swoosh’s winning percentage to 84%. Congratulations to the Tar Heels and Nike.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #7: The Finals
It’s over… from a kicks point of view anyways. Nike has another championship locked down with North Carolina and Gonzaga playing in the finals. Starting out, Nike had a 59% chance for one of its teams to win it all. Under Armour and Adidas were close to each other at 19% and 22% respectively.
For the Sweet Sixteen, Nike’s odds increased to 75%, and Adidas and UA were at 12.5% each.
In the Elite 8, Nike maintained its 75% mark meaning Adidas and Under Armour again had 12.5%.
The Final Four featured three Nike teams, again 75% of the teams, with only Under Armour remaining.
Now with the Bulldogs battling the Tar Heels, Nike has a 100% chance of winning.
On Monday, it’s Jordans versus LeBrons, Kobes, Kyries, and KDs.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #6: The Final Four
One down, and I’m surprised (as well as bummed since that’s the end of my bracket). Kansas and Adidas are out, leaving Nike with Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Oregon. Under Armour is still scrapping on then backs of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #5: Elite 8
The odds, the percentages – forget them. It’s March Madness, baby! All shoe brands are still in it with Nike having 75% of the Elite 8. UA and Adidas each have one team repping their brand.
11: Xavier, Nike
1: Gonzaga, Nike
3: Oregon, Nike
1: Kansas, Adidas
7: South Carolina, Under Armour
4: Florida, Nike
2: Kentucky, Nike
1: North Carolina, Nike
Kicks Analysis 2017 #4: Shoes of Champions
I vowed that if my bracket won this year’s tournament then I would buy shoes from the popular Adidas basketball lineup. There are no losers in the current lineup of Crazy Explosives (low), Harden Vol. 1, and the Dame 3. Currently, Adidas adorns the remaining Kansas and UCLA squads.
Lonzo balls in the Hardens.
Oddly enough, I didn’t spot the special Jayhawks makeup of the Crazy Explosive in their matchup with Purdue. I did see a different color way and the unheralded CrazyLight Boost.
But the Dame 3 is really growing on me. The performance is there, and while its look is unconventional, there are color schemes that flat out work.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #3: Sweet 16
The sweetness of the sixteen teams still dancing look like this:
- Florida (4)
- Wisconsin (8)
- Baylor (3)
- South Carolina (7)
- Gonzaga (1)
- West Virginia (4)
- Arizona (2)
- Xavier (11)
- Kansas (1)
- Purdue (4)
- Oregon (3)
- Michigan (7)
- North Carolina (1)
- Butler (4)
- Kentucky (2)
- UCLA (3)
Nike holds a dominant position with 12 of the 16 (75%). Adidas and UA both have two teams represented (12.5%), but Adidas has powerhouses, UCLA and Kansas, playing.
I haven’t been impressed by any particular pair of kicks on-court thus far. So instead, I’ll give props to the Big West representatives, UC Davis and the bespeckled, hard working, Chima Moneke.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #2a: Seed Sponsorship
For 2017, Nike has majorities in 9 of the 16 seeded positions. Adidas has two (#13 and 15) while Under Armour has 3 (#8, 14, and 16). UA is not represented by teams in the top four seeds. Nike and UA are tied at the six and seven spots.