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New and detailed pics of the "Stealth" Air Jordan Retro X have hit the 'Net. We've seen these a couple of times already but as a refresher, they are set to drop on 3/24/2012. via KATC
"I will pay one thousand dollars to anyone who gets a tattoo of that picture. Tweet me the pics." -- Shaquille O'Neal, Thursday night, on 'Inside the NBA.'
Shaq, in my eyes, has turned into quite the mensch after joining the fight for LGBT rights earlier this year. And perhaps it was the late night setting, or the chance to rip on Charles Barkley in his typical, jocular fashion, but it did appear as if Shaquille was a little too excitable on TNT's 'Inside the NBA' when it came time to rip on Barkley's awesome lip-lock with NBA referee Dick Bavetta from nearly five years ago.
So this is where you, the faithful wee hours viewer, come in. All it takes, apparently, is a tattoo of Barkley and Bavetta sharing a moment permanently singed into your skin to collect a thousand bucks from O'Neal after hitting him up on Twitter, presuming that Shaq's a man of his word. And you wouldn't tell a lie on air, would ya, TNT-rook?
I'm a little hamstrung for cash myself, and I still haven't gotten my first tattoo. Perhaps this is as good a reason as any to dive into the world of the inked-up. Either way, Ball Don't Lie faithful, I think it's time to deluge our man Shaq with a series of these things. Make sure you get Charles' Jock Ewing-esque pendant detailed properly. via Ball Don't Lie
Hoping to pull off a pair of blockbuster moves that would rock the NBA, the Lakers are willing to trade anyone on their roster outside of Kobe Bryant to bring Howard and Paul to Los Angeles, two sources said.
Whether the Lakers are able to make it happen remains to be seen, but with stars Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom on the roster, they have the talent and the financial capacity to make the trades work.
The Lakers have had cursory discussions with New Orleans about Paul within the past few days. It is not clear whether they have spoken with Orlando.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak would not comment when asked about the Lakers' intentions to trade for both superstars, but in addressing general trade rumors surrounding his team, he gave the company line, saying the Lakers are happy with their current squad.
"This time of year, there are a lot of rumors going around," Kupchak said in a telephone conversation. "I'm aware of them and I'm not going to comment. Our comments have been pretty consistent -- this group can contend, so we'll just play it out. Nothing is about to happen. It's much too early in the season.
"We don't even have a collective bargaining agreement to refer to."
While Paul's first choice is to join buddies Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on the New York Knicks, he would sign a long-term contract to stay with the Lakers, according to a source with knowledge of Paul's thinking. And Howard's fondness for Los Angeles is well-known, leaving no doubt that he would commit to the Lakers long-term.
Sources say Paul and Howard have had several conversations with each other about the possibility of playing together on various teams.
Several trade combinations would work for the Lakers. For instance, they could send Gasol to New Orleans for Paul, and Bynum to Orlando for Howard. If the Lakers threw Odom into the trade to Orlando, they could sweeten the offer for the Magic by taking back the contract of Hedo Turkoglu.
"The Lakers are interested in trying to do something for both (Paul and Howard)," a Western Conference executive said. "I would hate to see it happen. I want Howard to stay in the East and Paul to go to the East.
"If it does happen, it'll make things much harder for us."
The Lakers are not the only team in Los Angeles that's thinking big.
Sources say the Clippers also have intentions to go after both Howard and Paul. And like the Lakers, the Clippers are positioned -- financially and talent-wise to make such a move.
Unlike the Lakers, the Clippers would not have to make two trades. They could use their wealth of young talent to trade for either Paul or Howard and then sign the other as a free agent next summer when they'll have enough cap room to offer a maximum-salary contract. The one player the Clippers will not offer in a trade is Blake Griffin.
"The Lakers have company (in going after Howard and Paul)," another Western Conference official said. "The Clippers are doing the same thing." via ESPN
Things can only get better from this point. What are you waiting for? Head to Nike iD now to get start designing! via Sneakerfiles
First seen back in October, the LeBron 9 “Freegums” will be released this December. Produced in collaboration with the Miami-based artist and Peruvian native, the kicks sport his signature line drawings on the inner lining and on the etched white leather paneling of the upper.
Featuring a white/white-black-sport red colorway, the LeBron 9 “Freegums” will be available on December 31 for $170 via NikeStore and additional Nike retailers. via Sneakerfiles
This APAC Project features 3 models of the New Balance ML574. Each model features inspirations of the Zodiac with high quality leathers, dragon print and special tongue tag with a ‘Dragon’ kanji. Each version sports a unique color in black/gold, gold/red and red/gold in metallic blocking.
This pack is available overseas at Mita. via Sneakerfiles
Now head over to sucker4clothes.bigcartel.com before all tees are out of stock.
Details are scarce at this point, though ardent followers of this mess no doubt have an idea of where both sides stand a week from December, but one can certainly conclude that the NBA will begin playing basketball on Christmas Day, embarking on a 66-game season.
How the league's makeup, the way teams put together rosters and attempt to secure consistent revenue streams, remains to be seen. The reaction of the fans, alienated by a work stoppage in the midst of one of the worst global economic crisis of the last century, is easier to anticipate. Still, nearly all of that is washed away because of the promise of actual NBA basketball, set to tip off about a month from now.
From here, and in the comments section, you're right to rant about the needless, enervating mess that was this labor negotiation between the NBA and its players.
You're right to rave, though, as well. You're correct in picking fights with Celtics fans, or pointing out that Kobe was swept out of the playoffs last May. Point to the Mavericks' tired legs, the fact that Chicago can't shoot, or the idea that Miami is "Hollywood as hell."
For once, though, you're going to get to talk about basketball with an endgame in mind. We, as fans, barely got to do that even in the heat of a spectacular 2010-11 season because of the uncertainty of the long-anticipated lockout. And though we won't know which free agent is going where and under what financial terms for a few days; we do have basketball to prepare for. If you're not giddy at this point, even after being let down too many times to count, then I don't even know why you're on this site.
This is where we come in. Follow Ball Don't Lie, and the menschs that supply us with the honest-to-goodness reporting at Yahoo! Sports, for whatever follows.
For the first time in half a year, cats and kittens, we've got something to follow. Our long, needless nightmare is over. React accordingly. via Ball Don't Lie
Following up the release of the glow-in-the-dark “Luminous Pearl” and “Binary Blue” colorways, the Zoom Rookie LWP is set to drop in a clean white/black look this holiday season.
With a white Foamposite upper alongside black nubuck and an icy outsole, these are almost identical to the “Luminous Pearl”, but lack the glow-in-the-dark feature.
This Air Go LWP/Air Up/Air Flight One/Foamposite hybrid is set to drop December 21 for $200 via select Nike Sportswear retailers. via Sneakerfiles
What may come as a pleasant surprise, custom designer Alexander Borgella has incorporated the olive and orange combo into his new Custom Air Jordan VI (6) ‘No Losses’. The nicely executed custom resembles the Air Jordan retroes as mentioned above with the use of an olive upper, orange laces, and white, black, and orange paneling along the midsole.
Would you agree that this custom could almost pass as an official release? Let us know if the comment box below, and if you like what you see, grab a pair now over at Shop Impeccable. via Sneakerfiles
Next year continues to look very promising for Jordan Brand fans as the Air Jordan IV (4) Retro White/ Cement, Air Jordan Spiz’ike “Bordeaux”, and Air Jordan X (10) ‘Old Royal’ all release February 2012.
Taking a look at new detailed images, the Air Jordan X (10) ‘Old Royal’ maintains usual color-blocking as expected from the Jordan X model with its Old Royal and Stealth grey paneling on the upper midfoot and outsole. Also, to much satisfaction, Jordan Brand has done away with the stitched number “23″ logo on the side panel as previously seen on the Air Jordan 10 Shadow Countdown Pack. via Sneakerfiles
So, maybe no NFL teams showed up to watch Terrell Owens work out on Tuesday. Owens still maintained confidence that some team would be interested in his services, and as it turns out, he was right. It just might not be the team he had in mind.
It's the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. They want to bring T.O. into the 50-yard indoor war.
"We feel that this is an ideal time to approach the future NFL Hall of Famer," said Rush General Manager and President Gene Nudo. "It would be a fantastic honor to add Terrell to our current roster for the 2012 season."
It's a bold move by Nudo, who I believe used to be known in the WWE as "Paul Bearer." Here's a later paragraph from the same news article that in no way makes this look like an empty publicity stunt.
In honor of this contract offer the Chicago Rush is offering an $81 Flex Plan to its loyal fans. The plan includes four tickets to a Chicago Rush home game. Additionally, the package includes four Rush hats as well as four Rush Nike Dri-Fit training shirts to ensure Rush fans will never have to work out shirtless again.
Probably not a reference to this. It's probably motivated purely by football, and not by any media attention Owens is receiving right now, despite the fact that the Arena Football League doesn't play a game until March. Let's hear from the coach.
"Terrell would absolutely complement our current wide receiving corps," said Rush Head Coach Bob McMillen. "His animation and over-the-top energy would be an excellent addition in the locker room, and the Chicago fans would undoubtedly welcome him here in Chicago."
If you're wondering about the rest of that wide receiving corps, it includes Reggie Gray, Vic Hall, Charles Dillon and Brandon Fields. I have no idea who any of those fellows are, but I'm sure their styles of play would complement T.O.'s very well.
What do you think is more likely to happen? Terrell Owens playing this year in the NFL, or next year in the Arena League? via Shutdown Corner
The rare colorway was a 1-of-1 production for Mr. Penny to wear at the event. Taking into consideration that the legend prefers all white sneakers in the summer, Marc Dolce of Nike Sportswear did just the right thing by creating these “exclusive” foamposites. via Sneakerfiles