Air Jordan XI ‘Cool Grey’ – Carbon Fiber

During All-Star Weekend, we got a look at someone wearing a mysterious pair of Concord Air Jordan XI’s that had the patent leather toe section swapped out for a carbon fiber overlay. Now another carbon-fibered out Air Jordan XI has surfaced, this time with the popular material appearing on a pair of Cool Greys. Unlike the Concord version which sticks to the original color scheme, this Cool Grey variation gives the shoe a completely different look as a result of the large black carbon fiber area replacing the grey patent leather. It’s still undetermined if any of these CF versions will ever hit retail. via hoopchina & Sneaker News

Air Jordan V – Joe Johnson PE

2006 and 2007 was the year for the Air Jordan V, as a handful of retros we dropped including og colorways, like the Fire Red and Metallic V. Joe Johnson managed to get his hands on a pair of player exclusive V's designed to match the current Atlanta Hawks colors. With all white leather upper, and red being used on the midsole, outsole and inner linning. Orange can be seen on the midsole teeth, and Jumpman on the tongue, Johnson’s number (2) is stitched on the rear of the shoe. These will never hit stores, but this very pair can be your’s thanks to eBay seller bugginoutboy. Via Sneakerfiles

Da Brat Completes Jail Sentence..Finally Home After Serving 3 Years For Assault

Da Brat was sentenced in 2007 to 3 years on an assault charge. She was released to a work release program in May of last year, and now she is officially finished with the sentence. Via Jermaine Dupree’s Twitter, he wrote, “Happy day for me and all SO SO DEF fans,Da BRAT is finally home” !! Wecome back, Brat! Via This Is 50

Air Jordan XI Retro Low IE – White – Varsity Red

The Air Jordan XI Retro has served as the centerpiece for the last couple years’ holiday sneaker shopping seasons (three if you include 2008′s Countdown Pack) and now the original lowtop version will get some retro love. Check out this Air Jordan XI Retro Low IE, a new colorway of the first lowtop Jordan flagship model that shows up here on the doorstep of the OGs’ fifteenth anniversary. These feature a red-on-white Elephant print framed by white patent leather and a red midsole atop a translucent bottom. The end result is quite impressive and we can’t help but wonder if Mike Bibby might have parted ways with the Wiz just to get a chance to wear these early in South Beach. There are at least two other colorways on tap for summer, if you’d grab these, they are to see a retail release later this year. via MN & Sneaker News

Nike Showcases Bill Bowerman’s Original Waffle Iron

It can be hard to believe that some of the world’s greatest companies had the most humble beginnings. Nike, the world’s largest and most successful athletic outfitter, was actually a late bloomer of sorts; by the time Nike first began its company, several other successful footwear manufacturers and moguls were already in play. Bill Bowerman, a legendary track coach with an astounding ‘track’ record, began Blue Ribbon Sports with Phil Knight and introduced the Nike Cortez in 1968 – one of Nike’s most iconic and recognizable footwear models. To improve track traction and running performance, Bill experimented with his wife Barbara’s home-style waffle iron and created a lightweight traction outsole that featured a waffle-like tread . In 1974, the Waffle Trainer was introduced, and today is considered to be the catalyst behind the growth of Blue Ribbon Sports/Nike.

During a recent house-cleaning, Melissa Bowerman discovered a box of what appeared to be dirty and muddy junk – old shoes and other trinkets destined for a garbage dump. Melissa is the daughter of Bill and Barbara Bowerman, and her brother-in-law Tom discovered a pit of Bill’s old junk buried in the Bowerman property (garbage trucks did not visit the property due to its unique location atop a steep slope). Melissa received confirmation from her mother Barbara shortly before her death that the waffle iron was indeed the original, and so Melissa later contacted Nike regarding these items. Nike was equally as shocked at this finding, and an even trade was performed – Melissa gives Nike the relic, Nike fives a pole-vault pit to Condon-Wheeler – a track team comprised of students in Oregon to which Melissa’s son is a member of. The original waffle iron was recently showcased to surprised Nike employees on Monday, February 21st, two days before Bill Bowerman’s 100th birthday. Via The Oregonian. Via Sneaker News

New Fitteds @ ROCK-N-JOCKS: Custom NEW ERA x NHL「Sharks」59Fifty Baseball Caps

Sale Alert. ROCK-N-JOCKS is giving back, marking down one of their newest releases, a custom New Era 59Fifty San Jose Shark fitteds. This cap is priced to move at only $24.99 which is a big savings compared to the original price of $36.99. This hat features White front panels, an all Black bill, and the Teal side panels. The Sharks logo is embroidered in the front in Teal, Black, and outlined in White. The N.H.L. logo appears in the back White and Teal. Get one while you can because at this price they will swim away fast. Only available at http://www.rocknjocks.com/ Also click the like button on RNJ’s facebook page for unbelievable discount codes at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocknjocks/181017275271403 Via Strictly Fitteds

UNDRCRWN x Patty Mills Tee: help aid in Australian flooding relief

As Eric Freeman explained last week, there are legitimate reasons why Portland Trail Blazers guard Patty Mills could be resentful toward the government in his native Australia. But December's devastating floods and February's Queensland cyclone are negatively affecting all manner of Australian cultures, to say the very least, and Mills is stepping in to help.

Partnering up with UNDRCRWN and Wears My Shirt, Mills is offering a snappy-looking Blazers-red (as pictured in this post), St. Mary's-red, or Australia-green T-shirt for sale at this link, with the proceeds going to help efforts in Australia.

I'll let Patty explain his intentions from here:

"The recent disasters that took place down in my homeland have weighed heavy on my heart and I want to do all I can to help. My goal is to raise at least $50,000 for relief efforts and I need your help. Thanks to my boys at Wears My Shirt and Undrcrwn for their support on this project."

Mills has been a breath of fresh air in his first fully healthy season as a pro. On a Blazers team that could be long on doom and gloom thanks to its myriad injuries and trade rumors, Mills' energetic presence both on and off court have gone a long way toward keeping the Blazers a fun watch, and a competitive team out West.

And this gesture speaks volumes. Click on over to Wears My Shirt for more details on how to help. Via Ball Don't Lie