Get Ya Kick Game Proper...

Over the past couple years or so, a lot of brands that have been around for awhile, started getting more widespread recognition. Among them area ALIFE and CLAE. The great part is, as they've gotten more attention, they've gone even harder on the product tip, too. Check out their Spring 2009 lines:

ALIFE...

ALIFE Everybody America High...

ALIFE Everybody America High...

ALIFE Everybody America High...

ALIFE Chuck...

ALIFE Chuck...

Here's the CLAE collection ...

 

The same way low-key footwear lines blew up, comparable clothing lines did the same. New Crooks & Castles Tees:

 

Commonwealth's got some pretty nice prices on these, too.

And look at this BBC Jacket...

BBC Helmet Boy Denim Motorcycle Jacket...

BBC is so cold. It's price tags are also great depressants...Retail Price - $495.

Via: nicekicks, BBC, & commonwealth

R&B Joint Of The Week...

TLC - Creep

R.I.P. Left Eye

NCAA Basketball...It's All On You...

We learned a couple things after Wednesday night's games: 1. That #3 UNC & #1 UCONN, when at their best, are probably the two best teams in the country. 2. That the two most important pieces for those heavyweights are Ty Lawson and Hasheem Thabeet, respectively. 

North Carolina, 1-12, is hands down the most talented team in the country. And their missing Tyler Zeller and Marcus Ginyard. Regardless, they have the best, most high-octane offense in the country, but their defensive intensity isn't always there. Hence, their best bet is to outscore teams, which, as their 22-2 record indicates, they do more often than not. But I guess that's not a bad idea when you have 5 guys averaging double figures. The catalyst for that offense, though, is PG Ty Lawson. He's the one that makes it go. NO ONE can stay in front of him. The fastest guy in the country end to end with the ball, Ty Lawson pushing the ball, penetrating, and creating for himself and others is the key to North Carolina's offense, and thus, their ultimate success this season. 

The numbers don't lie: On the season, Lawson's averaged roughly 16 points and 7 assists.  In Carolina's two losses, however, it's been just 9.5 points, 28% shooting, and 4 assists for Lawson.Still not a believer? How' bout this: In their game against Duke, the Tar Heels were down 52-44 at the half. Lawson had just 4 points. In the second half: the Tar Heels outscored Duke 57-35 behind 21 points from Ty Lawson. The Tar Heels go as Lawson goes, and if he's playing well, you'll wanna bet on Carolina.

UCONN's destiny rests on the shoulders of 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet. He's the anchor. Although Thabeet's putting in 13 points per night, that's not what matters. What matters is his defensive contribution. Thabeet's yanking down 10.5 boards per game to go along with over 4 blocks. His most important contribution can't be measured by stats though: It's his mere presence on the floor. Thabeet alters an uncountable amount of shots, and opposing teams are usually scared to even attack the basket with Thabeet underneath. 

The Huskies are holding opponents to under 38% from the field - 9th best in the country. A few examples of his impact: In the Huskies win at Notre Dame, they held the Irish, who shoot 44% on the season, to just 33% that night. In their game at Louisville, they held the Cards 34% from the field. Down from the Cards' season average of 43%. Same goes for their game against Syracuse. The Orangemen usually shoot nearly 49%. Vs. the Huskies, though, just 32%. Obviously, the entire Huskies' D and Jim Calhoun's coaching deserve some credit. But Thabeet is behind it all. If he's playing well, and stays out of foul trouble, it'll be a long night for opposing teams, and a long season (a good thing) for the Huskies.

Via: ESPN

Kick Game Proper....Hella Nike & Reebok Products

The Nike's...

Nike's starting to go hard with the luxury-type joints. These are the Nike Sportswear Air Royal Hi's...

Coffee Brown...

Black...

White...

Release Date: Currently Available

Gucci-Inspired Nike Waffle Racer III...

Daaaaaaaaaaaamn. 

Release Date: Available in Japan. Coming to US soon.

Nike Air Penny 3 - White/Royal...

Release Date: March 2009

Giggity, giggity, giggity...

Nike SB Dunk Hi "Glenn Quagmire"...

Dope concept + Doper shoe = One of the dopest I've ever seen.

Release Date: March 2009

J's....

Jordan's been rolling with this Championship Pack concept lately, and will continue with this "Supersonics" release...

'

R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics

Release Date: March 14

Air Jordan 2009 Commercial..."Field Generals"...CP3, Melo, Rip, & JJ Rep For Brand Jordan

In case you're not sold on the 2009's yet, take a close look at these limited edition 2009 that recently released...

Even the box is off the chain...

Now For The Reeboks...

In 1989, Michael Chang, won the French Open at 17 - the youngest player to do so. He was rocking these Reebok's at the time, and Reebok is re-releasing them in light of the 20th anniversary of Chang's accomplishment. Unfortunately, I'd say Chang never lived up to the hype.

Reebok Court Victory Pump II...

"Blood Orange"...

"Veridian Green"...

 

Reebok x Chapter World Court Victory Pump "Juggernaut Pack"...

"Burning Red" & "Silent Blue"...

 

Reebok Reverse Jam Mid...

Navy/Grey/Yellow... 

All Reebok's are currently available, though limited.

Via: sneakernews, nicekicks, kixandthecity, & sneakerfiles

KISS MY ASS (THE CHAMP IS HERE PART 2)!!!!!!!

Kiss finally blessed us with the mixtape.

DJ Green Lantern & Jadakiss - Kiss My Ass (The Champ Is Here Part 2)

Tracklist...

Misc. Video(s) Of The Week...

Reebok x AI x Kiss

Remember these commercials... 

"They even put a zone in the league to try to stop him"

These came at the height of AI's popularity, and were a great 

example of Hip-Hop's growing influence on The League.

Peep These...

Montega Jada Does Work!!!

"I'll probably be one of the nicest until I'm senile"

New Skull Gang...

Skull Gang - Body Like A Maserati...

Anybody Seen Cam'ron? Cont'd

Snowman Goes In Over "Cash Flow"...

Young Jeezy - Bang Bang

Via: worldstarhiphop & nahright

Effects Of The Recession: HBCU's and The NBA

If it weren't for the recession, these could be the best of times for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The number of African-American students attending college has been steadily rising, doubling in the past 30 years to almost 2 million. Thanks to the historic election of President Barack Obama, all signs point to even greater interest in higher education among the minority youngsters who make up the fastest-growing part of the college-age population. And the top HBCUs are boosting their facilities, staff, and outreach to prove they offer an education—especially for low-income students—that rivals that of better-known universities, often at a lower price.

Unfortunately, the downturn in the economy, combined with a long, painful history of underfunding, might outweigh those bright prospects for some HBCUs. Clark Atlanta University announced layoffs of 70 faculty members plus 30 staff members early this month and had to scramble to reassign students and classes. Morris Brown College in Atlanta has lost its accreditation and most of its students and is threatened with closure. The Georgia state legislature, looking to cut costs, is studying proposals to merge Savannah State and Atlantic State universities, two financially struggling HBCUs, with nearby historically white colleges. Education analysts say that unless the economy picks up soon or the federal government comes to their rescue, several rural, low-endowment niche schools—a group that includes several HBCUs as well as some women's and religious colleges—will run out of money and shut down....

....Almost all state governments are slashing their higher-education budgets. That's especially painful for HBCUs. Although some states are finally making catch-up payments to some black colleges to compensate for decades of underfunding, many HBCUs still get less taxpayer support than their white counterparts, says James Minor, a Michigan State University expert on HBCUs. In North Carolina, for example, North Carolina State University received more than $18,000 per student this year, while Fayetteville State University, an HBCU, got less than $10,000.

Full story here.

The League's Feeling The Heat Too...

A year ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were vilified by many around the NBA for seemingly giving Pau Gasol away to the Lakers to cut payroll.

A year later, a lot of teams are trying to do the very same thing.

Almost no one has picked up on the real story behind the shopping of Amar'e Stoudemire in Phoenix, and Tyson Chandler in New Orleans, and the impetus of many teams to be active before the Feb. 19 deadline. It has nothing to do with basketball, no matter what you hear about Amar'e's lack of defense and Chandler's history of injuries.

This year, the trade deadline is being influenced like never before because owners who've lost millions in the plunging U.S./global economy are determined not only not to be luxury tax payers, but to cut costs as much as possible as quickly as possible, with no intention of allowing their team's salaries to ever rise near the tax threshold in the foreseeable future.

Full story here.

Other News...Weed-Smokers Outraged!!!!

Bursting with indignation, legions of legalize-marijuana advocates are urging a boycott of Kellogg Co., including all of its popular munchies, for deciding to cut ties with Olympic hero Michael Phelps after he was photographed with a pot pipe.

The leader of one of the biggest groups, the Marijuana Policy Project, called Kellogg's action "hypocritical and disgusting," and said he'd never seen his membership so angry, with more than 2,300 of them signing an online petition.

"Kellogg's had no problem signing up Phelps when he had a conviction for drunk driving, an illegal act that could actually have killed someone," said Rob Kampia, the group's executive director. "To drop him for choosing to relax with a substance that's safer than beer is an outrage, and it sends a dangerous message to young people."

Also urging a boycott were the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Drug Policy Alliance. They encouraged their members to contact Kellogg to vent their views.

Full story here.

People have the most ridiculous stigmas about weed. If it's so bad, how can a man who smokes win 8 gold medals - a record that may never be broken?

Via: The Chicago Sun-Times, US News, & NBA.com

Chris Brown x Rihanna Update...

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ Chris Brown received a text message from a woman while he was driving with Rihanna and that’s what started the confrontation that left Rihanna battered and bruised.

We’re told the text message was from a woman who wrote about hooking up with Brown later.

We’ve also learned there is a reference in the police report to an argument over a rapper, but we’ve learned this is NOT what triggered the argument. The woman who text messaged Brown is not a rapper.

As for Rihanna’s injuries, we continue to learn more. Cops took multiple pictures at the scene. Chris Brown allegedly hit Rihanna so hard with his fists, she could barely open her eyes for the photos — they were almost completely swollen shut. She had a fat lip, her mouth was swollen, her nose was badly bloodied, and she had contusions on her forehead and both sides of her face.

Via: bossip

Brett Favre Hangs It Up...

Without the tearful public ceremony that accompanied his retirement announcement from the Green Bay Packers just 11 months ago, quarterback Brett Favre has told the New York Jets he is retiring.

Favre had instructed his agent, James "Bus" Cook, to inform the Jets on Wednesday that he is retiring. Jets team executives and coach Rex Ryan confirmed the retirement in a statement, saying they talked to Favre on Wednesday morning about his decision.

"I have great admiration for him as a player and a person. I wish him only the best in his life after football," Ryan said.

In an e-mail to ESPN's Ed Werder, Favre indicated he had no regrets about finishing his career with the Jets rather than with the Green Bay Packers franchise he represented for his previous 16 NFL seasons. He specifically praised Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, team owner Woody Johnson and fired coach Eric Mangini -- and even mentioned Thomas Jones and  Kerry Rhodes, both of whom were publicly critical of Favre after the team's collapse in the final month of the season prevented the Jets from making the playoffs.

"Mike and Woody, as well as the entire organization, have been nothing short of outstanding,'' Favre said in the e-mail. "My teammates -- Thomas and Kerry included -- were a pleasure to play with. Eric [Mangini] could not have been any better. I enjoyed playing for him. My time with the Jets was short, but I'm honored to be given that chance.''

Full story here.

Much respect to Favre, he's no doubt one of the greatest QBs ever. But it's about time. Over the past 3 or 4 years, Favre's been one of the most selfish players in the NFL, by wavering back and forth between to retire, to not retire. The Packers had finally had enough, and didn't let him come back, which I don;t blame them for. Look at what he's done to the Jets. Came in, sold some tickets, and got off to an 8-3 start. Then, he had a dismal second half of the season that included losing 4 of their last 5, and falling out of playoff contention. Worse, though, Favre leaves the Jets with nothing. No playoffs, and instead of  being able to use last season to develop a new quarterback or make other personel changes, they had Brett Favre for 1 season. What good does that do anybody - Favre or the Jets?

Via: ESPN

NBA Basketball...

Quite a few games in The L on Tuesday, but nothing too groundbreaking. Highlights: The Knicks lost their 6th straight game. How about this: the Knicks have given up 100+ points in their last 8 games, and in the past 8 days have been hit with 61 by Kobe, 52 by 'Bron, and gave up 144 points in a loss to Golden State....LeBron had 47 in the Cavs' los to Indy...Kevin Durant had 31 and 10, scoring 30+ for the 5th consecutive game...The Lakers and Spurs both got W's, and are tied for a league-best record in the New Year at 15-4. I'd say they're the two best teams in The League right now, and contributions from players other than their "stars" have been a major reason why. Tuesday for L.A.: Lamar Odom - 18 boards. Pau Gasol - 22 and 14. Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic - 9 points apiece.  For San Antonio: Matt Bonner - 22 points in 25 minutes. Roger Mason - 14 points....MJ, Scottie, and othes were in the United Center last night as the Bulls honored the legendary Johnny "Red" Kerr.

Congrats To Kobe, who had 34 points and 7 boards, and became the youngest player to reach 23,000 points. Kobe, 30 years 171 days old, passed Wilt Chamberlain, who hit the mark 30 years 176 days.

Mo Williams FINALLY got in the All-Star game. He'll be replacing Chris Bosh. It's still bullshit, though.

J.R. Smith will be replacing Rudy Gay in the Slam Dunk Contest. Gay has a strained hip.

H-O-R-S-E Contestants....Joe Johnson, Kevin Durant, and O.J. Mayo

The contest will take place outdoors at the NBA's All-Star Block Party on Saturday in Phoenix before TNT televises the All-Star Saturday night festivities.

If a player makes a shot in H-O-R-S-E, the next competitor must make the same shot or receive a letter. A player gets an 'H' for his first miss and is eliminated once he has all five letters of the word.

Players will have 24 seconds to execute their shots, and an NBA referee will rule if they're done properly. Dunking won't be allowed.

Three of my favorite young'ns. This event should be sick. Thinks about the range all of these guys have. And they'll be mic'd up, so we can hear all the shit-talking. I'm geeked.

Scores From Around The League...2/10/09

Wizards 90, Hawks 111

Cavs 95, Pacers 96

Nuggets 99, Heat 82

Spurs 108, Nets 93

Raptors 110, T'Wolves 102

Pistons 102, Bulls 107

Kings 100, Mavs 118

Knicks 127, Warriors 144

Thunder 98, Lakers 105

Via: ESPN