Nike Basketball Set to Relaunch the Kobe Brand in Time for Kobe Day

Nike Basketball Set to Relaunch the Kobe Brand in Time for Kobe Day

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by | Aug 9, 2023 | Featured, NBA, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

The Kobe Brand will be relaunched by Nike Basketball in time for Kobe Day on August 24. This eagerly anticipated return will include the unveiling of a brand-new Nike Kobe basketball sneaker in addition to a new assortment of throwback Nike Kobes. On August 10, we’ll get a sneak preview.

According to Nike CEO John Donahoe, the Kobe Brand will begin the next stage of the Black Mamba’s lasting influence on basketball with Nike Basketball, the latest shoe to be shown on August 10 during the SNKRS “Live From The Archive” segment, which will be available in North America. A countdown timer suggests that the album will be released on August 23, Kobe Bryant’s birthday. According to Vanessa Bryant, the shoe in question is the all-white Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Halo”.

From this teaser, not much else can be inferred. The sneak peek provides a glimpse of the Kobe signature line’s trademark low-top basketball design. It’s crucial to keep in mind that this teaser could potentially indicate the introduction of a new color option for existing sneakers. According to Vanessa Bryant, the shoe in question is the all-white Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Halo”. (Checkout below) For now, be sure to tune in to SNKRS ‘Live From The Archive’ on August 10th.

Aug 9, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter: 2023 NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

SneakerReporter: 2023 NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

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by | Jun 1, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 1  Denver Nuggets Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

This is one of the most anticipated NBA Finals in a long time because it wasn’t expected. Both the Nuggets and Heat were underdogs for their own respective reasons. The 1st seeded Nuggets felt disrespected all season long as they were the best in the West. Nikola Jokic continued to showcase greatness but it wasn’t good enough because Joel Embiid was able to take the MVP crown. Nothing would make Joker happier than to win the Finals MVP since he got snubbed for the regular season award.

 

Jamal Murray has been on a mission to show everyone that he’s back and he’s not going anywhere. This playoffs Jamal Murray put anything to rest about he was only good in the NBA Bubble. This postseason Joker and Murray both have been playing at an elite level that very few would be able to reach. They will need to continue that pace as they have the 8th seeded Miami Heat coming into town trying to take the NBA Championship away from them.

 

Just like the Denver Nuggets the Miami Heat are huge underdogs aside from their seed. This Miami Heat team just beat the NBA Finals favorites Boston Celtics in seven games. The Heat have a lot of rough riders and a lot of undrafted players on the roster. They will need to continue to play at a high level if they want to shock the world.

 

If the Heat are going to shock the world it will be on the shoulders of Jimmy Butler who’s played lights out. The Heat will need Jimmy to be all over the court and there might even be a couple games he will need to play the whole game. This postseason Butler has gotten help from Caleb Martin who’s been playing out of his mind. Last season he was on a two way contract and didn’t play much in the playoffs but now he’s one of the most effective players on this team. It was arguable that Martin could have won the Eastern Conference MVP over Butler but the way he’s playing has gained a lot of recognition across the league.

 

This series will come down to whose role players will show up and show out. If Miami can get Vincent, Robinson, and Strus hitting shots they will be successful. If the Nuggets can get some impressive play from Porter Jr, Brown, KCP, and Gordon this could be a quick series. The Nuggets have a lot of talent and they’re deeper than the Heat but if Tyler Herro comes back from his injury in Game 2 this could make thing’s interesting adding their 20 point scorer back into the mix.

 

With that being said I’m going to go with the Nuggets in 5 games. I think they have too much fire power and everyone knows how to execute their roles. Joker & Murray are going to be too much for Jimmy Butler to try and keep up with so this will be the year of the Nuggets winning their 1st championship.

 

Series Prediction: Denver Win in 5 games (4-1)

Jun 1, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Prediction

SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Prediction

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by | May 16, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 1  Denver Nuggets Vs No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

The Western Conference Finals will feature the Denver Nuggets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers for a chance to advance to the NBA Finals.

The Nuggets are coming into this series playing at an elite level after taking care of the Suns. Nikola Jokic has shown that he is still playing at a MVP level and he’s elevated his game this whole playoffs. Joker has been one of the best players in the playoffs if not the best. Now he will need to continue that against the Lakers who have length and have bolstered the bench during the season since they last played each other.

Jamal Murray has been a great robin to Joker and he’s been locked in. The last time these two teams played was in the bubble during Covid. Now Jamal Murray will have a chance to showcase that same bubble ball against the Lakers but now in 2023. The Nuggets have a lot of depth with their bench and they have players that have the experience to take down the Lakers. It’s going to take for the other guys like Bruce Brown, KCP, and Jeff Green to hold it down when Murray/Jokic need a break. This Nuggets team came into this playoffs disrespected and they feel like this will be the perfect time to put the league on notice.

The Lakers are deep and it’s crazy because LeBron James looks like he hasn’t lost a step at all in year 20. LeBron was able to coast at the end of the season because his teammates stepped their game up and now he’s well rested and coming off beating the Warriors. LeBron has been a complete player in these playoffs and this could be the series where he needs to put on an offense display. It helps LeBron because he has Anthony Davis by his side and it will be a great matchup with The Brow and Joker. Anthony Davis will be the key to this series for the Lakers and if he can average a double double this would be a great way to lead the Lakers to Banner 18. The Lakers have Schroder, Russell, and Reaves who need to step up for sure in this series.

This series will be about the other players and whose defense will show up in this game. It’s going to be tough to go against LeBron especially with the chip on his shoulder but this will be the Nuggets chance to show the league that they’re for real.

 

Series Prediction: Denver Win in 6 games (4-2)

May 16, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Prediction

SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Prediction

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by | May 15, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 2  Boston Celtics Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

The Eastern Conference Finals will feature the Miami Heat taking on the Boston Celtics for a chance to advance to the NBA Finals. 

The Miami Heat have been one of the most impressive teams in the playoffs this year as they are the number 8 seed in the East. They knocked out the number 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and the New York Knicks in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Jimmy Butler has single handedly put the Miami Heat on his back as the Heat are without Tyler Herro a reliable offensive player. The Heat have a difficult task at hand as they take on the Celtics who have a very well put together roster. If the Heat want any chance at winning this series they’ll have to play as a team like they did in the Knicks series and not just rely heavily on Butler.

The Celtics were on the brink of elimination in game 6 and 7 and found a way to win the series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Game 6 in the fourth quarter is where things really changed for the Celtics, the Celtics were having a tough game and Tatum was having one of his worst games of his playoff career that is until Tatum turned up the heat and forced a game 7 in which they had home court advantage. Though the 76ers are a tougher team than the Heat, the Celtics cannot underestimate this Miami Heat team as they’ve fought their way to the Eastern Conference finals and have not played like an eighth seed. The Celtics will have to rely on other players scoring the ball but Tatum and double team Butler to limit their biggest star.

Series Prediction: Boston Win in 6 games (4-2)

May 15, 2023 No Comments
NBA 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Finals Prediction

NBA 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Finals Prediction

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by | Apr 29, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 2 Boston Celtics Vs No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers 

The Boston Celtics took on the Atlanta Hawks in the first round and won in 6 games, but the Celtics statistically have one of the league’s best defenses and struggled against Trae Young and the Hawks. The Celtics do indeed have a very talented roster from top to bottom and will have to be in their best form to beat the 76ers. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will look to lead the way offensively for the Celtics in case they can’t stop Joel Embiid defensively. 

The 76ers offensively have Embiid who is nearly unstoppable in the paint and James Harden who’s turned up the heat in the playoffs. The 76ers team is full of players who can shoot the ball efficiently, but there’s probably nobody who can hold Embiid under 20 points on the Celtics. As long as the 76ers stay healthy they can pose a serious threat for the Celtics as they are the reigning Eastern Conference Champions who lost in the finals just last year. 

Series Prediction: Boston Celtics Win in 7 Games (4-3)

No. 5 New York Knicks Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat were the 8 seed in the playoffs but didn’t seem that way when they knocked out the number 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat beat the Bucks in five games. Jimmy Butler was red hot in the series against the Bucks despite losing Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo to injury. This Heat team does have some good chemistry but will have to rely less on Butler in case the Knicks shut him down defensively. 

The Knicks absolutely dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers and won the series (4-1), they will have home court advantage and their fans have rallied behind them. Jalen Brunson has been on a mission with the Knicks as he’s led them to an impressive playoff run so far. They’ll have to take on Butler who has been one of the best scorers in the playoffs this year, so defensively they may have their hands full with the likes of Butler and Bam Adebayo. 

Series Prediction: Miami Heat Win in 6 games (4-2)

Apr 29, 2023 No Comments
Timberwolves Win Thriller In Overtime To Send The Series Back To Denver (114-108)

Timberwolves Win Thriller In Overtime To Send The Series Back To Denver (114-108)

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by | Apr 24, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game with their backs against the wall down 3-0 to the number one seed Denver Nuggets. In a game that they desperately need Minnesota had it’s stars shine the brightest.

 

This was one of the best playoff games I’ve covered in recent memory as both teams were hitting each other with some haymakers like this was the Tank Davis boxing match all over again. The Minnesota Timberwolves made it a mission to be aggressive from the start and they did that by getting Nikola Jokic in foul trouble. But even with foul trouble the Joker still was able to stay in the game and be affective finding his teammates but also creating his own offense in a chance to close out the series. Usually it’s Jamal Murray who’s making the big shots for Denver but tonight it was the 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic who was able to put the team on his back. Murray was hitting some tough shots but his point total didn’t reflect the impact especially when it comes to his teammate Nikola Jokic. This was a back and forth battle as both teams wanted this win badly. The Joker led his team in multiple categories finishing with 43 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists but it wasn’t enough to get the job done in overtime.

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves fought all night long and they were led by Anthony Edwards who was sensational tonight. You can tell Edwards was playing with a different type of confidence and swagger tonight. He was playing like a man that didn’t want to let his teammates down and he didn’t want to get swept. Edwards hit big shot after big shot tonight and was able to will the Timberwolves to the win. Edwards finished with 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists tonight. The Timberwolves gave the Minnesota crowd a scare as they were up by 12 with 2 minutes left and the Nuggets forced overtime but that’s where Minnesota shined the most.

 

Nickeil Alexander Walker was the player of the game as he hit two timely 3 pointers and got a charge that cemented the lead for the Timberwolves. NAW was ready for his moment when his number was called and knocked those shots down. The Timberwolves were up by 1 point and got the ball back with less than a minute to go when Anthony “H1M” Edwards showed up with one of the most clutch shots of his career. He hit a huge 3 to give the Timberwolves the 4 point lead as they didn’t look back after that capturing the win. Karl Anthony Towns fouled out but they still made a way to pull out the win in clutch time. Rudy Gobert also pulled in another double double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

 

The Timberwolves have to take this series a game at a time if they want to make history.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

 

Apr 24, 2023 No Comments