Saturday, December 24, 2011

stfuMikeP on the AVE: New Looks at the "Medusa" Nike SB Dunk Low

Mike P here. Tonight I have some new pictures of what I think to be a beautiful looking dunk dropping SPRING/SUMMER 2012.

What has been dubbed as the "Medusa" Dunk has a real solid pebbled leather encapsulating the entire sneaker (said to represent the stone that people would turn into upon looking at her directly in the eyes) with the green leather swoosh and heel tab (representing the snakes as her hair) and a red NIKE stitching.

All in all, I love this sneaker.  Nike SB has, at times, really been stepping up their game recently with the colorways.  This will be a sneaker to go with any fit - that grey is perfect.

Photos courtesy of n-sb.org

Be sure that Belmont Army and Uprise will get these in the spring...release date info coming later.

As always, follow me on twitter and check out the tumblr.




Saturday, December 17, 2011

stfuMikeP on the AVE: Bobby Hundreds on Cut & Sew

Mike P here. Just something I found pretty interesting.  Bobby Hundreds of...you guessed it: The Hundreds talks about his exploration into cut and sew compared to his background in graphics and screens. Definitely something to watch for everyone who is trying to get into the streetwear game. Check it out.

Courtesy of Hypebeast




HBTV: Bobby Hundreds - Cut & Sew Progression
from HBTV on Vimeo.

Friday, December 16, 2011

stfuMikeP on the AVE: Nike SB Fall 2012 Dunks Sneak Peek

What's up everybody? Mike P here. Good to have a new home here on Blvd Ave.

Gettin right into it, what I have for you all today comes straight from Dom DeLuca's twitter feed.  For those who don't know...and you really should, Dom runs Brooklyn Projects out in LA.  If you still don't know, maybe the recently released Nike SB "Reign in Blood" Dunks may give you a hint.  But I digress.

Dom has given us a peek into a few of the new Fall '12 SBs coming our way. While I will try to pay as little attention to the recent news about Nike SB absorbing Nike 6.0 and pushing out newer combined designs, there is a new style amongst these next couple shots.  Keep in mind, I will only be focusing on the Dunks only.

The first look we got was this Dunk (High?):
This all-plum dunk looks like it has some buttery suede on the toebox and sidepanels with some kind of printed leather up the eyelits and around the toebox. And to top it all off, GUMSOLE!

Up next:
A very simple, yet desirable colorway on this Dunk Low. The pebbled leather swoosh and heel tab are a nice pop to a seemingly all black leather/suede shoe.

Moving right along:
Remember the Brian Anderson Camo Highs? These could be a nice homage to the timeless dunks.  It looks like the camo print is done on canvas with suede filling in.

aaaaaaand my favorite of the bunch:
The "Futura II" Dunk Low.  Futura designed his first dunk back in 2003 and it still remains as one of the highest sought after shoes by collectors.  The Futura IIs, as they are already being dubbed, are using a similar colorway but with an amazing-looking quality suede almost everywhere.  The samples dropped on eBay and the NSB Marketplace around 2 weeks ago with a beautiful gumsole.  The released pictures don't seem to have the same outsole, but these will just have to do.  

That's my scoop.  Check back with me here on the AVE for more SBs and streetwear.

And as always, follow me on twitter and check out my tumblr.

stfuMikeP 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Your Sports First: Buckle Up

To read more, go to chicagonow.com/asiseeit

Also follow me on Twitter @CSF_Inc


Hello my Ave, hope you enjoyed this past weekend in sports as much as I did. We had blockbuster trades, baseballs MVP alleged to have doped, and another wild week of football. And of course..... Tim Tebow.

Let's get started with..


Your Sports First: Week In Sports






This is what you are gonna get


The crosstown match-up between Xavier and Cincinnati had all the makings of a great game until the last 9 seconds. That is when guard Tu Holloway and another Cincinnati player got into a shoving altercation, that would ultimately turn into a benches clearing brawl. In the midst of the melee, players were bloodied, got stomped out and fortunately no significant injuries were sustained.

But what casted a darker light on the situation was the post game press conference, when guard Tu Holloway, in efforts of defending his actions, let his mouth run a little more than he may have liked to, as seen here. In a society where worldstarhiphop clips dominate popular culture, this does not surprise me. But to sully a would be promising career and marketing opportunity, I just don't see where this benefits anyone on the Xavier team, especially Tu Holloway.


The brawl






The press conference










Brawn or Braun
Milwaukee Brewers MVP Ryan Braun is latest member of the asterisk club. Braun tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. This sent a shockwave through the baseball community having been just weeks removed from earning the honor, and after maybe one of the Major League's best seasons outside of the steroid era. The third baseman faces a 50-game suspension and potentially a relinquishing of his Most Valuable Player award.

This echoes even deeper, Braun is coming off of a $105mil payday. Signing a contract extension with Brewers over five years. This on top of the MVP, on top of his past comments on players such as Alex Rodriguez who was caught juicing and denied until eventually cornered, has Braun potentially being the biggest dark spot on baseball since the Mitchell Report. Braun is also the first player who entered the MLB after standardized testing become mandatory to test positive.

Braun also has a unique set of circumstances in his favor. The league under guidelines have to respond judiciously and with haste as the blame solely goes onto the player after positive testing.

So basically guilty until proven innocent:

According to ESPN:

MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Policy calls for strict liability among players, meaning if a player tests positive, the league is "not required to otherwise establish intent, fault, negligence or knowing use of a Prohibited Substance on the Player's part to establish such a violation."
Add in the fact that Braun emphatically denies that he has used a performance enhancing drug or supplement, you have to be thankful that this is all taking place in the off-season. More developments to come on this.



Baseball's new 'look'

Major League Baseball's new labor contract will include some improvements, and lengthening of the All-Star break. The new deal includes a clause that will include more video replay. Which the MLB expanded to include fair or foul calls, "whether a fly ball or line drive was trapped", and fan interference all around the ballpark. Umpires still have the last call and it is uncertain whether or not it will be introduced on Opening Day.

Other notes of changes introduced in the new labor agreement are:
  • Allowing teams in the same division to meet in the postseason before the league championship series. 
  • A ban on players getting tattoo's with corporate logos (This will probably get some light)
  • The possibility of players wearing microphones during games
Another interesting note in the agreement, according to ESPN is,

"Any big leaguer who wants to change uniform numbers without switching teams better give eight months' notice unless he's willing to buy warehouses full of his overstocked jerseys."
We will see how this is implemented when the regular season is under way.







Wrap-up
Week 14 Scores:
Thu: Steelers (10-3) over Browns (4-9), 14-3 
Broncos (8-5) over Bears (7-6), 13-10 
Cardinals (6-7) over 49ers (10-3), 21-19 
Chargers (6-7) over Bills (5-8), 37-10 
Eagles (5-8) over Dolphins (4-9), 26-10 
Falcons (8-5) over Panthers (4-9), 31-23 
Giants (7-6) over Cowboys (7-6), 37-34 
Jaguars (4-9) over Buccaneers (4-9), 41-14 
Jets (8-5) over Chiefs (5-8), 37-10 
Lions (8-5) over Vikings (2-11), 34-28 
Packers (13-0) over Raiders (7-6), 46-16 
Patriots (10-3) over Redskins (4-9), 34-27 
Ravens (10-3) over Colts (0-13), 24-10 
Saints (10-3) over Titans (7-6), 22-17 
Texans (10-3) over Bengals (7-6), 20-19 
Mon: Seahawks (6-7) over Rams (2-11), 30-13





Harrison Out

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for one game, after the hit he placed on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. The hit ultimately took McCoy out of the game briefly and penalized the Steelers, who went on to still win the game. This was Harrison's fifth violation of the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, since the league enforced the helmet-to-helmet contact rule. Five is now thought of to be the limit until suspension is enforced. Harrison is the first player since the establishment of the rule to be suspended by punishment.

This also brings up a slew of other questions on the issue. The hit upon many reviews doesn't seem to be malicious in intent, or even appear to be the "head-hunting" in which the NFL is trying to suppress by creating hefty fines and now suspensions. What this has begun to come down to is reputation. Reputation and the fact that Harrison is a "multiple offender" and harsher penalties are thought of to be the remedy, in order quash what the league believes to be a blatant disregard for the safety of other players.

James is believed to be appealing the ruling, given the history and the fact that it was on one the league's young, future stars, I don't see Harrison playing this Monday night.





Tebow Time! Again.
Just when you think you have seen the end of the Tebow train, you look at the score, then you look at the time left. You then start to look at the circumstance at hand. Your team is tied with Tim Tebow, he has the ball, and a little bit of time to work with. No matter who you are, your gut starts to wrench. One completion after another, you look at the stat sheet and scratch your head as to why someone with such poor numbers in the other quarters is dissecting the defense like a surgeon. You can chalk it up to the other team making mistakes and letting Tebow stay in the game, or you can chalk it up to a team that keeps themselves in the game so when it comes down to crunch time they can let T2 do work.

That was much the case for the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Heading into Mile High Stadium to face the Tebowed Denver Broncos, the Bears looked to stop the Tebow train right in it's tracks. For much of the game, 3 1/3 quarters that is, the Bears looked to do just that. The Bears lead 10-0 until the game got to under 4 minutes in the 4th quarter. The Bears get the ball back with two minutes to go, all they needed to do was run the clock out, as Denver had no time outs. Bears RB Marion Barber took a run to the right past the interior, looked to rush for extra yards, then ran out of bounds. What? Tebow gets the ball back with 53secs left to play?



Tebow Time.

Tebow goes 3 for 5 for 39 yards and a scramble for no gain en route to tying the game, and sending it into overtime. They might as change the name from overtime to "Tebowtime" because that is when this guy does his dirtiest. The Bears get the ball to start OT, and march the ball with perfection down to the Denver 38, right in field goal territory. They try to inch the ball down a little more for a sure fire shot, and on the Denver 33 Marion Barber rushes for 5 yards, then fumbles the ball, Broncos recover the fumble. So now Tim Tebow has the ball, in overtime, with 12 minutes to spare.

Tebow Time.

Tebow throws 3 for 4 going 28 yards, and rushed for 6 yards. Willis McGahee ran for a one yard gain to get the Broncos within field goal range. Matt Prater came out and iced the game for Broncos. Sending Chicago home dejected and feeling very violated. After all those are the effects of victims that have been Tebowed.


Next week: New England Patriots





Week 14 Notable Injuries 


Cowboys RB Demarco Murray out for season; ankle injury
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger day-to-day; sprained left ankle
Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy day-to-day; concussion
New York Giants DE Justin Tuck day-to-day; groin
Steelers S Troy Polomalu left game vs Cleveland; hamstring
Titans QB Matt Hassleback day-to-day; hamstring
Packers WR Greg Jennings out 2 weeks; knee sprain









Notes and Updates


The NBA had another exciting week of transactions and drama. With the league obviously setting the tone by rejecting the Chris Paul trade to the L.A. Lakers, teams have went about trade requests a different way. Effectively using the amnesty clause to their advantage and being able to easily dispose of players and their contracts in pursuits of obtaining a higher caliber of player.

Despite any notable "blockbuster" trades, there were still plenty of transactions in the NBA. And there is still by many means big name players wanting to go to big time markets. Which leaves the question, when is the next blockbuster move going to happen, not if.

Dwight's Christmas List


Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has wavered more on whether he wants to stay with the team than I can perhaps remember ever with Favre and retirement. When he was resigned by the team in 2007, Howard joked that he and Mickey Mouse would be in Orlando forever. Now the league's most dominant man has a "wish list" of teams that he would prefer to be traded to.

Although he does say that he wants to stay with Orlando, he would prefer if traded, to be dealt to either the New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn), Dallas Mavericks, or Los Angeles Lakers. With the exception of New Jersey, all teams a preferred big markets in the eyes of the NBA. But with the league fine toothing trade's and with Chris Paul still in New Orleans, it will be interesting to see if any of Howard's "wishes" will be granted. After all, to mimic David Stern, Howard's worth more in a Magic uniform right now than he would be in any other.

With teams such as the New York Knicks and Miami Heat getting bigger and better defensively, and the Boston Celtics (Orlando's conference rivals) swapping Glen Davis for Brandon Bass, it's hard to see where Orlando could improve to satisfy Howard's needs. Add in the fact that the Magic have halted negotiations involving the All-Star center, and I would presume that this drags well into the regular season.


Battlefield: LA


After the NBA nixed the Chris Paul trade to the L.A. Lakers, it appeared that the idea was dead in the water. Then all of sudden another Los Angeles team came into the picture, the Clippers. A team that has long been a floormat to the Staples Center where they share time with the Lakers. Now with second year dominant forward Blake Griffin returning at full health, and acquisition Chauncey Billups and Corey Maggette returning, the Clippers look to break into the fold as a force this season in the NBA. Landing Chris Paul would do just that.

But now there are reports that the Lakers have reopened the negotiations with the NBA owned New Orleans Hornets. Now more than likely with an even more favorable offer than the already pretty beefed up trade including Lamar Odom, and draft picks, also sending Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets sending Kevin Martin to the Hornets. Other players were included but that was the meat and potatoes of the deal that the NBA decided to nix.

Now Lamar Odom is a member of the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers just acquired Josh McRoberts last night to even out their Walton to Bryant ratio. They also signed guard Gerald Green. The Clippers may have more favorable leverage to make a deal with the Hornets given the bad taste that the league has left in the mouth of Hornets GM Dell Demps. With the amount of time now spent exploring other options, and after putting in so much work in efforts to send Paul to L.A. for Odom, it may be difficult for Demps to want to go back into working on a deal in L.A., add in there roster just took a significant step backwards, and it looks like Paul may be a Clipper before Christmas Day.

It is noted that New Orleans Hornets GM Dell Demps has stated that there is no deadline for the Paul trade, so I would expect this to drag late into the season as well.

Advantage L.A.




The Ole' Sandusky Special


Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing on child sex charges at the last moment. A very risky, yet defensively smart play on his behalf. Sandusky is facing over 10 counts of separate sexual assaults on 10 different victims that have stepped forward. The move surprised the 10 lawyers representing the victims, but Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola says this fight hasn't even begun and that Jerry will be ready to defend his name,


"We're ready to defend, we always have been ready to defend. There will be no plea deal," Amendola said. "This will be a fight to the death, the fight of Jerry Sandusky's life."
According to ABC News, Amendola said that he and Karl Rominger, a prominent Pennsylvania defense attorney who is now co-counsel on the case, decided Monday night that it was not in their best interest to go through with the hearing because prosecutors made clear they would not allow him to question the credibility of the accusers and witnesses.

More to come on how this effects the case moving forward.




Thursday, December 08, 2011

NBA Season Preview & Updates: Your Sports First

Read more Chicago Sports First Productions at ChicagoNow.com/as-i-see-it

Also follow me on Twitter @CSF_Inc


2011-12 NBA Season

Hello my Avenue! Welcome to another Your Sports First NBA edition. Last time we were anticipating the an agreement in the standoff that was the NBA Lockout. The two sides finally put their brains back into their heads and now we look forward to another jam packed NBA season!

I think I can speak for many when I say that I am tired of hearing the numbers talk when it comes to the two sides agreeing to a collective bargaining agreement. 50/50 this, basketball related revenur that, it all was about to make me throw away my chucks (sike, I don't own a pair of chucks). But we will take a look at some of the notable rule changes and games that you absolutely cannot miss!



Rules & Regulations


The Derrick Rose Clause

Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose, set the bar last year at the age of 22, he earned a NBA MVP award, twice been voted All-NBA, and lead his team to the Eastern Conference Championships. He is now paving the way for young players who may want to follow in his footsteps. The Bulls star earned his nomenclature on a new clause that is apart of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement. This "Derrick Rose Clause" allows a player finishing his rookie contract to make up to 30 percent of his entire team's salary. If he's twice been voted an All-Star starter, twice been voted All-NBA or won an MVP award. 




This came as a surprise to the humble Chicago native, 
"It's unbelievable," Rose told CSNChicago.com. "But the rule, I guess, it fits me for what I've achieved at a young age and hopefully there will be a couple more people like me."

Something tells me this is only the beginning of the "Rose Rules" era...


NBA alters shooting fouls


Stu Jackson, NBA vice president of basketball operations announced Wednesday that there would be several new rule interpretations implemented as a point of emphasis for the 2011-12 officiating staff. According to ESPN,
"Rip-through" moves, in which an offensive player swings the ball into a defender's outstretched arm and then attempts a shot once he has created contact, will be considered non-shooting fouls if the contact begins before the offensive player starts his shooting motion.

 Some of the other new interpretations include:


  • On drives to the basket, a shooting foul will be called only if contact occurs after the offensive player has begun his shooting motion, not after he has initiated his leap toward the basket.
  • Two horns will be sounded 15 seconds apart after every timeout. Teams whose players are not moving toward the court as soon as the second horn sounds will receive a delay-of-game warning.
  • Substitutions will only be allowed before the final free throw of any trip to the line that is not for a technical or flagrant foul.
  •  Instant replay will be utilized only during full timeouts, not 20-second timeouts, when necessary.
  • Whether a player's foot is on the three-point line or midcourt line will be determined by where it last touched the floor, meaning a player could have a toe on the three-point line but if he leans back on his heels before he releases the ball a successful shot would be deemed a three-pointer.
Look for these calls to be overly empasized in the first part of the season, but probably die out as the season progress's.


Notable 2011-12 NBA Games (All of Christmas Day)
* Given that the free agency/trade period before seasons start hasn't transpired, the significance of some of these games may change drastically. 

Season opener: December 25, 2011 - Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks
This Christmas Day couldn't be sweeter. The NBA kicks off its season with a rematch of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. LeBron James will look to finish the season stronger than he finished the NBA Finals, as he suffered one of the most epic collapses in the history of the game for a superstar of his caliber. 

December 25, 2011 - Boston Celtics v.s New York Knicks


This is the culmination of vengeance games, as the Carmelo Anthony/ Amare' Stoudamire lead Knicks look to make up for a playoff sweep against the Boston Celtics. The new look Knicks were apart of one of th regular seasons best match-ups against the aged Celtics. But the veteran team gave the young Knicks alot to think about and plenty of time to do it by sweeping them in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Look for this game to be just as good as the regular season match-up last year. Plus Melo'.




April 1, 2012 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls


This late season match-up between the two hottest young teams in the NBA could perhaps be a preview of future NBA Finals battles to come. Reigning MVP Derrick Rose looks to extend his reign as the league's best as he takes on another rising star point guard in Russel Westbrook. Kevin Durant looks to further establish himself as the leagues best scorer after earning the honors for the second consecutive year, and going on a tear during the NBA lockout, splashing nets and chains across the United States. 






Current notable transactions

  • Eddie Curry will get another chance at being a relevant NBA player, as the Miami Heat signed the center just in time for training camp. Shane Battier also has agreed to terms on a contract with the Heat. 
  • The Portland Trailblazers look to be one of the stupidest front office in the history of sports, agreeing in principle to terms on a new contract with brittle center Greg Oden. The $8.9mil qualifying contract offer is believed to be agreed upon, according to Oden's agent Bill Duffy.
  • The NBA has allowed drug testing for PED's during summer league workouts, according to the Associated Press a few of the guidelines are as follows:




A joint NBA-NBPA committee will discuss the age limit, which for now remains 19 years and one year out of high school.
 — Players with 3 years of service or less may be assigned to the NBA Development League, with no limit on the number of assignments. No player with more than three years of service may be assigned to the D-League without his consent.
—There will be a neutral review of any fines imposed by NBA Commissioner David Stern for players' on-court actions.
—Upon request, a player will wear a microphone for one nationally televised game per month, one locally televised game per month and up to two playoff games per round. The player must consent before the content can be aired live and can't be subject to discipline for content captured as a result of wearing a microphone.
—Neither the league nor a team may discipline a player solely based upon an arrest. 





There may be alot to filter through, but at the end of the day there is finally an NBA season to look forward to! And that is really all you need to know! But thank you for reading another Your Sports First production!!!!

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