Posts with tag basketball

The stars rule the stars. So what's in store for your favorite celeb? Find out in our regular feature, Ho'roscope. The glamor, the sex, the money troubles can all be understood through the astrological powers that really run Hollywood.

Wow, in a very retro 90's way, we're totally psyched that Reebok has decided to bring back the pump. Not the ladies shoe, mind you, we're talking about the pump that allows middle schoolers to over-inflate their sneakers causing longterm damage (or was that an urban myth?). It's all part of Reebok's bid to climb out of the hole that they've been in since -- well, probably since the Pump-it-Up days.

Their new Yao Ming limited edition sneaker is being released in conjunction with Yao's appearance in this summer's Olympics, where he'll be representing China. Complete with fire-breathing dragons and traditional Chinese colors, these are probably the most elaborate pumps Reebok's ever made. The struggling athletic company hopes to use these mean-looking sneaks, and a media blitz targeting China's Yao pride, to gain a foothold in the world's largest emerging market. Only 2008 of these babies will be produced, and they'll run you about $150.

They're a bit flashy for out taste -- would you wear these out on the court?

Gallery: Yao Ming's Olympic Edition Pumps

[via BlackBook]

That's why we're pleased to bring you the 'Trash Talk' shoe from Nike. Yes, Nike. Big companies can have a heart, too.

I'm sure there are a number of you who have read about the 23rd installment of the Nike Air Jordan basketball shoe and are bummed that you didn't get your hands on a pair because:

a) you don't live near one of the 23 retailers who got the initial batch in January;

b) you're ballin' days are over, so if you're spending $200 on a pair of shoes, they'll go with a suit; or

c) ever since Michael Jordan did the whole, "I'm retired! I play baseball! No, wait, I'm still a basketball player!" thing, you just don't want to be like Mike anymore.

At any rate, I have good news: reachnyc.com is holding a contest so you can win a pair of this kicks. The bad news? It ends tomorrow. But, it's easy to enter -- visit the website, answer the three questions, make sure you can wear a size 10.5, and you're golden.

Why should you want these shoes, other than the fact that they're the hot new sneaker on the market? You might be interested to know that Nike implemented environmentally-friendly technology in the making of these shoes by using interlocking panels instead of toxic glue. This update required a great deal of new machinery, so since Nike has made that investment already, I'm hoping they'll continue to go a little greener with some other shoes. Hey, a girl can dream!

The trouble with planning a back seat date, i.e., sex, is that it is rarely ever planned. Chances are that should you find yourself making moves in the backseat that there are no other viable options to you. Of course it could also be that you are 17 and have spent the better part of the evening watching submarine races, but we don't condone such activity. This advice is strictly for those over 18, and of course married.

The biggest obstacle to back seat loving is space. Unless you are in an SUV or mini-van (romantic!) chances are you are unable to move more than a couple inches in any direction. Luckily for most men that is all that is required. That was a penis joke.

There are two steps to ensure a smooth night, a) a Barry White mixed-tape, and b)dressing for the occasion. Yes, I know I said that it is rarely planned, so my suggestion is to always be ready. You never know when these moments will arise and to miss one based on lack of preparedness would be pure folly. Pure folly.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the breakaway pant. This is the answer to all of your backseat problems, well, the undressing part anyway.

These are the pants that you see constantly on strippers basketball players. All they need is a little tug and presto, change-o, you, my friend, are sans pants.

The are available in a number of sizes and all team colors. Not only are they practical, but they are comfortable. Stylish? Not so much.

We're solving problems here, people, not creating miracles.

Seriously, I cannot stress the Barry White enough.

Despite all the help I've given you in sprucing up your pad for the Final Four, the truth is, you sporting types aren't the most fashionable people on the planet. In fact, rumor has it that most of you dress in the dark. Everyday. But thanks to the recent arrival of international soccer star and fashion icon, David Beckham, maybe you'll be upping your game, and dressing with a little forethought.

Because let's face it, at the moment, things look bad. Wendell Brown, the editor of Esquire magazine told Reuters that you atheletes are "desperately" in need of fashion advice, and Adam Raporport, the style editor at GQ, says "I don't think anyone's stepped up to the plate since Jordan retired and I think they could use one." In fact, the NBA had to institute an off-court dresscode your wardrobes had fallen into such disrepair.

But I don't want to be too hard on you. Most of you are pretty big guys, and -- as a tall man myself -- I can only imagine that it's difficult to find good-looking clothing in your size. I understand that Mr. Beckham plays soccer, and thus, is smaller, and a better size for the Dolce and Gabbana, Versace and Prada clothing that he wears. That being said, you make in a week what I make in a year, so you have more options.

I encourage you to look into them.

(PS: No matter how you dress, I'll still think you're awesome.)

Chicago center Ben Wallace's recent decision to wear a headband during a game against the Knicks has created a small crisis in the world of basketball. Part of Wallace's contract states that players are not allowed to wear headbands, but wore one anyway. Once the slightly oblivious coaches noticed the headband, the center was immediately pulled off the court, where he pouted for ten minutes before agreeing to take off the headband.

According to those close to Wallace, his behavior has nothing to do with the headbands per se. Rather, wearing a headband his way of venting frustration with the disappointing season (i.e. he can't blast his pre-game music, the Bulls aren't winning, he isn't playing well).

Call me crazy, but my take is that if you have a $60 million contract, you really ought to follow the team's uniform rules without complaining. Being a professional athlete is a job, after all. Jobs by their very nature entail things that are unpleasant, so Wallace should stop being a baby and get over it.

So maybe his real name is Julius Winfield Erving II, but if you were the most stylish basketball player of the 1970s, wouldn't you go by the name "Dr. J"?

Sure, he played high-intensity, fast-paced, amazing basketball. Sure, he managed to dunk from the foul line. And sure, he managed to sink a lay-up from behind the backboard during the 1980 NBA Finals.

But what I do I like about the good doctor? His amazing style, and two things in particular. First of all, the Afro -- the man went huge. Second, the socks (a.k.a. "high-highs") -- even in his choice of hosiery, Dr. J reached for the stars.