by Brandon Richard | Jun 25, 2012 | All, Basketball
words // Brandon Richard
If there’s one thing we’ll take away from the 2012 NBA Playoffs outside of the tremendous on-court action, it’ll most likely be the pre and post-game fashion, which became a story in its own right throughout the postseason. The standout accessory amongst the game’s top stars were the trendy “geek” glasses, retro-style specs that are thick-framed and are sometimes worn without actual lenses. Celebrating the NBA’s fashion bug and the Miami Heat NBA Championship, adidas has released the Geek Championship T-Shirt. The soft-hand shirt features screenprinted graphics of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decked out in their Miami Heat gear and “geek” glasses, celebrating the championship.
This t-shirt and much more adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Championship Gear is available now at Eastbay.
by Brandon Richard | Jun 22, 2012 | All, Basketball
words // Brandon Richard
Two years after “The Big Three” took shape in South Beach, the Miami Heat can now call themselves NBA Champions. Facing perhaps the most pressure we’ve seen placed upon any American professional sports team, the Heat emerged victorious in a hard fought NBA Finals series against the Oklahoma Thunder to claim the franchise’s second Larry O’Brien Trophy. The story of course was LeBron James, who exorcised some of his personal demons and recorded a triple-double en route to his first championship ring and Finals MVP honors. Miami’s newly crowned King recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists, becoming just the fifth player to notch a triple-double in a Finals clincher. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade added 24 and 20 points respectively, while reserve Mike Miller unexpectedly connected on 7 of 8 three-point attempts to score 23 points of his own.
Fans looking to celebrate Miami’s triumphant victory can do so by picking up the exact adidas gear worn by Heat players in the locker room after winning the championship. Both the locker room hat and t-shirt are available, as well three other championship t-shirts. Stop by Eastbay to pick up your Heat Championship Gear today.
by Brandon Richard | Jun 13, 2012 | All, Basketball
words // Brandon Richard
By the numbers, Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Finals between Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder was the most watched series opener since ABC acquired rights in 2003. The game registered an 11.8 overnight, topping the previous record established by the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons in 2004. If last night’s game was any indication of the gameplay we can expect in the series, then expect those type of numbers to trend as we progress through this anticipated showdown.
The early stage of Game 1 was dominated by the Heat, led by a focused LeBron James and surprisingly hot-handed Shane Battier. Shane dropped a postseason high 13 first half points, helping Miami lead by as much as 13 and maintaining a 7 point advantage at halftime. However, the Thunder seized control in the third quarter, led by their two All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The two outscored Miami 41-40 in the final two quarters, including another impressive late-game closeout by the 23-year-old three-time scoring champion. Stifling defense sealed the deal on a 105-94 win for the home team.
Also impressive in Game 1 was the footwear, particularly the Finals Player Exclusives worn by James and Durant. Westbrook continued to wear his old “Why Not?” Hyperfuse PE; Kendrick Perkins added gold laces to the recently released “Military Blue” Air Jordan Retro 4; Mario Chalmers broke out a new colorway of the Spalding Slash; Shane Battier shot well in his PEAK sig; Mike Miller understandably ditched his usual KDs for a new Hyperdunk 2011 Low PE; Chris Bosh laced up a Finals colorway of the Air Max Hyperdunk 2011; and D-Fish, Daequan Cook and Serge Ibaka all repped the Three-Stripes.
A full look at the sneakers worn in the game (and Lil’ Wayne!) in this installment of Sneaker Watch.
LeBron James backs down Russell Westbrook in his red Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite.
Another look at LeBron’s Finals Elite 9 PE.
After all the hoopla, Lil’ Wayne doesn’t seem too excited to finally be at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Kevin Durant dials up a shot from long distance in a White/Gold PE colorway of the Nike Zoom KD IV.
A closer look at Durant’s Finals KD IV PE.
Kendrick Perkins works the post in a golden-laced pair of the “Military Blue” Air Jordan Retro 4.
Mario Chalmers runs the point in a red-based colorway of the Slash by Spalding.
Serge Ibaka operates in the post wearing his ‘Home’ adidas adiZero Shadow PE.
Chris Bosh drives in a Finals PE colorway of the Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2011.
Russell Westbrook had an explosive game in his PE colorway of the original Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.
Dwyane Wade sizes up James Harden in a Finals PE colorway of the Jordan Fly Wade 2 EV.
Nick Collison dunks in his Nike Zoom KD III PE.
Mike Miller attempts to block Harden’s shot in a Finals PE colorway of the Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 Low.
James Harden shoots in his Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 Low Elite PE.
Shane Battier had a surprising offensive “explosion” in the PEAK Battier VI.
Thabo Sefolosha attacks in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI.
Udonis Haslem dunks in Converse Sicks.
Derek Fisher dishes in the adidas adiZero Crazy Light Low.
Daequan Cook looks to score in the adidas adiZero Crazy Light 2.
Joel Anthony joins KD’s poster in the Nike Air Max Destiny Finals.
![Sneaker Watch: Lakers Make it Back-to-Back]()
by Nick Engvall | Jun 18, 2010 | All, Basketball
words_Nick Engvall
Sweet Sixteen it is for the city of Los Angeles.
The Lakers held on to home court advantage thanks to big games from Ron Artest and Pau Gasol to win their 16th World Championship, their 5th in the last 11 years. The Lakers started off slow, Kobe Bryant went 1-7 in the first quarter, and only 6-24 in the game but still managed to win his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP.
When it comes down to it, the Lakers won game seven as a team, the exact way that many people thought the Boston Celtics would take the series. They came back from a 13 point deficit behind 20 points from Ron Artest, and Pau Gasol’s 19 points and 18 rebounds. Kobe Bryant scored 10 in the final quarter, and during his poor shooting streak was able to find a more productive way to contribute, by grabbing 15 rebounds. The Lakers crashed the boards harder than the Celtics, grabbing 53 rebounds to Boston’s 40. The Celtics out shot the Lakers 40% to 32% but Kendrick Perkins presence in the paint was definitely noticeable, as the team with the most rebounds won the game in each of the seven games of the series.
After the game, Ron Artest gave credit to his shrink, and then announced his new hip hop single, “Champion” will be out soon.
Ron Artest in Peak shoes collides with Paul Pierce in the Nike Air Max Legacy.
A good look at Rasheed Wallace’s patent leather Nike Air Force 1 PE.
Pau Gasol in the Nike Hyperize shoots over Rasheed Wallace in the Nike Air Force 1.
Ray Allen in the Jordan Icons PE.
Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe V BS looks to pass over Ray Allen in the Jordan Icons PE.
Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe V BS, and Ray Allen in the Jordan Icons PE.
Paul Pierce in the Nike Air Max Legacy, guarded by Ron Artest wearing Peak sneakers.
Rajon Rondo in the Nike Hyperfuse drives past Jordan Farmar in the adidas TS Commander.
Tony Allen falls fo the head fake in the adidas TS Supernatural Creator.
Kevin Garnett in the adidas TS Supernatural Commander.
Rasheed Wallace in the Nike Air Force 1 PE blocks Andrew Bynum in Protege sneakers.
Kobe Bryant took home NBA Finals MVP honors.
images via yahoo
![Sneaker Watch: Lakers Make it Back-to-Back]()
by Jordan Hagedorn | Jun 17, 2010 | All, Basketball
words_Jordan Hagedorn
Tonight Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics look to beat the Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Earlier in the series, the star Point Guard had the sports world buzzing about his bright green shoes. For those of you that are unaware, they are a bright green version of the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse that will hit Eastbay on August 5th.
Rondo is averaging 15.9 points, 9.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in the Playoffs this year and has been one of the strongest Boston players in the Celtic victories. Game 7 is tonight in Los Angeles at 9:00 PM EST.
