Go KD, Go Dasher, Go Breezy...

     It wouldn't be Christmas without the NBA putting on a showcase of it's best players throughout the day as we open gifts and eat more food.  As they did last year, the NBA rolls out their Christmas commercial in promotion of their holiday jerseys as your leagues finest will rock the solid color tee's.
D. Rose, Durantula, Steph Curry, Nash, Harden, and the oop to the King are featured in the promo.
As much as these commercials feel like they'll really just shooting hoops making it sound like a real song, the holidays aren't the holidays without a little make believe...regardless I still get a kick out of it.

Asics Gel-Lyte III "Urban Camo"

     The Gel-Lyte III first caught my eye because my neighbors were cross country runners and always had different kinds of sneaks around other than Nikes or Adidas.  First thing I noticed, and yes, this is when they originally came out in the 90's, was the split-tongue right down the middle.  Not only did it make it look pretty sleek, especially back then, but it also made them super comfortable.  Right away, they became one of my all time favorites.  Fast forward to 2013 and it seems like there's a new boutique collaboration release every weekend for the Gel-Lyte III model.  Every color you can think of and different materials have been showcased from designers such as Ronnie Fieg to Asics themselves coming out with more colorways then they ever have.
     The first pictures of the "Urban Camo" colorway was released very early this year and after hitting  Europe first, finally found it's way stateside only a couple months ago.  The high interest wasn't shocking as the model has sold out every time a link goes up, but a little surprising considering it was a general release.  Asics did pick a winner with grey suede, black color blocking and light blue highlights, as it gives way to the camouflaged insole.  They also throw some bonus alternative color laces as well.  Subtle 3M hits on the front and back of the sneaker as well.  This model has withstood the test of time and is definitely thriving.

I'm Funny How ??

Pretty great parody of a couple of classic movie scenes...been out for a while, but great none the less.
Happy Thanksgiving...

"Philly Is Ugly" x Nathaniel Dodson

     Having never lived more than an hour away from the City of Brotherly Love, it has obviously given me an affinity for one of the first cities in this country.  The long chronicled history has been told many times and is embedded in the city's culture and personality.  Philadelphia has served as the metropolitan cityscape for the South Jersey, Delaware,  and Eastern Pennsylvania region since inception.  It's easy to get overlooked when you're in between the city that never sleeps and the nation's capital but there is no doubt that Philly has it's personality and can hold it's own amongst the best cities in the world.  Although some outside perceptions of Philly has been the opposite..
     Local Philadelphia photographer Nathaniel Dodson put together a short film, using stop motion photography, to dispel the myth of the city's aesthetics.  The title "Philly is Ugly"  pokes fun at that idea as he gives everyone a really wonderful view of the city we've grown to love.  It also gives you a different view of the things we see every day and take for granted or don't think much of.  A building here, a road there…
     A great original soundtrack, provided by @shelteredturtle, accompanies the visuals as well.  Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did and feel a little sense of pride for "our" city.  
     You can follow Nathaniel on Twitter @EndyPhoto for more information and behind the scenes footage.



Philly Is Ugly from Nathaniel Dodson on Vimeo.
View in full screen!

Nike Flyknit Trainer + Volt/Black

     A year ago the Olympics graced London and of course Nike paved the way by using the global showcase to introduce new products.  One of them being their Nike Flyknit technology.  A one piece seamless upper that is knit from materials that make it extremely light and form fitting.  What better way for everyone to see them by pretty much every US medal winner wearing the Flyknit Trainer on the podium and being associated with greatness.  Numerous athletes were seen wearing the bright colored kicks throughout London, especially the US Men's Basketball team along with the US Swim team and phenom Michael Phelps.
They were released last summer and this color way sold out immediately and prices on the secondary market soared.  Not only did everyone want what their idols were wearing, but the uber popular Volt color way with the black blocking on the interior, and the gradient volt to black upper, made them the ultimate attention getter.  Not to mention they actually were super comfortable and super light, the reasons continued to pile up to make this must own footwear.  Patience is a virtue as I was lucky to get them from Nike directly this past spring for retail and they have become one of my all time favorites.  Take a look for yourself and if Volt isn't your thing, they have the Trainers along with other Flyknit models in any color you can think of.

"Work" x Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea has been on my radar for quite a while now, but why wouldn't she be.  A bombshell blonde from Australia that spits rhymes.  Sure, why not.  She's been signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label for the last few years and is releasing her second album this fall.  This single and video should bring enough attention to it and for all the right reasons.  She's up for best new artist at this Sunday's MTV awards.

Oregon Football Performance Center

Football is back……and Chip Kelly might want to reconsider leaving the Ducks  to come to the Eagles after you see the spread that his former employer has on campus. A reported $68 million dollar renovation has the University of Oregon ducks facilities looking like the Star Trek Enterprise.  Just kidding Chip!  I'm definitely excited to see what he has in store for the Philadelphia Eagles with his fast paced offense and getting back to running the ball.  Something we never did with Andy.  I digress, back to the stadium facilities.  Watching the video will definitely have you rethinking what college is like for today's student athletes and money that's involved in the whole process. Oregon has recently taken marketing themselves to the next level with the multiple eye-catching uniforms,  helmets, their forest inspired basketball court, home of Tracktown US, and countless Nike and Jordan Oregon sneakers. Given that one of their most famous alumni, Phil Knight, heads the worlds biggest athletic brand, it's no secret he's donated substantial amounts to the school which allows it to offer facilities such as these…enjoy the tour!

Some of the amenities include:

The lobby has 64 55-inch televisions that can combine to project a single image.

The floor of the weight room is Brazilian hardwood.

There are custom foosball tables where one team is Oregon and the other team has 11 players, with each player representing a different Pac-12 team.

The players' lounge has six gaming stations.

There's a skybridge with an art installation of ducks. Each duck has the name of an Oregon player drafted by the NFL.

A "war room" with six 80-inch TVs.

A two-story meeting room with a window that overlooks Autzen Stadium.

A hydrotherapy tub in the coaches' locker room.

TVs are embedded in the mirrors of the coaches locker room.

A cafeteria with the words "EAT YOUR ENEMIES" in neon lights

Building consists of 145,000 square feet and 6 floors, 2 auditoriums

Photo Gallery: Football Performance Center - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site