<![CDATA[Phase2 BLOGS

<![CDATA[Phase2 BLOGS - Blog]]>Thu, 23 May 2013 08:11:10 -0900Weebly<![CDATA[SneakerShot of the Day]]>Mon, 20 May 2013 20:28:28 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/sneakershot-of-the-day14.htmlWhite/Silver AirJordan XX3 Samples... Yeah, I need to track these down somehow.

]]><![CDATA[Flywire AirJordan Prototype #TBT]]>Thu, 16 May 2013 22:39:59 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/flywire-airjordan-prototype-tbt.htmlSoleCollector Magainze had an article in their Issue 26 (2009) about the origins of Flywire Technology. It was perfectly fitting for this issue, since the Kobe IV was the first Kobe signature model to utilize Flywire. This article contained a wealth of knowledge on how this Nike innovation came into fruition. It showcases quite a few early stage prototype pictures of Nike trying to figure out where to pinpoint the Flywire for optimal foot support. This picture below is my personal favorite from the article...

It was the very first Flywire Basketball shoe Sample... Of course they would use Air Jordan XI tooling! Thank you Sole Collector for sharing this rare gem with the world! Be sure to purchase this issue to read more on the early development of Nike Flywire!

]]><![CDATA[SneakerShot of the Day]]>Thu, 16 May 2013 20:51:12 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/sneakershot-of-the-day13.htmlUnreleased CDP AirJordan VII Samples. Note the mismatched outriggers (red on the front and black on the back).

]]><![CDATA[SoleSupreme PE Flashback #TBT]]>Thu, 09 May 2013 21:48:58 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/solesupreme-pe-flashback-tbt.htmlHere's a quick #ThrowbackThursday picture from a few years ago. These two incredible PE's belong to my good friend SoleSupreme (SoleSupreme23 on instagram). He and I had a Jordan only display at the Kixpo sneaker showcase in Texas. Here's a random picture I snapped the morning of the show.

The PE on the left is a Derek Jeter IX cleat, and the one on the right is a Deion Sanders XI cleat in all patent leather. Both of these are over a decade old and SUPER rare...Either one can cost any collector thousands of dollars to obtain.

]]><![CDATA[Original Nike Air Mag]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 01:52:39 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/original-nike-air-mag.htmlSure, you've seen Nike Air Mags at events here and there. I'm sure you guys out there even own a pair or two. What you probably haven't seen in person is an authentic original pair from the actual movie set.

Back in 2006, I had the privilege to see this single foot in person. It was on display at the Caesar's Palace NikeTown for SoleCollector final competition. I was browsing through some of my computer folder from the event and I stumbled across this pic I snapped. Considering the rarity of these, one has to wonder how many pairs still exist out there!

]]><![CDATA[Super Rare Jordan PE]]>Sun, 05 May 2013 03:59:32 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/05/super-rare-jordan-pe.htmlFirst off, these are NOT MINE...but I wish they were! These things are original 1985 Air Jordan I PE's made exclusively for Michael Jordan himself. They might look like regular OG Jordan I's to the untrained eye but upon further inspection, they are certainly something else.

Here are the big differences... 1) OG Nike Dunk tooling was used. 2) AirJordan Wings logos used on both sides 3) Slightly lower ankle collar height.

There's a good chance you readers have never seen or heard of these gems before...If you have, that's cool. If you haven't, you're welcome for the eye candy.

]]><![CDATA[Ray Allen PE]]>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:31:50 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/04/ray-allen-pe-xl.htmlA lot of people assume that my all-time PE Holy Grail is the Ray Allen Air Jordan XI...It's actually not. My personal Holy Grail is his home white/green Air Jordan XX3 from 2008 from his Celtics days. I am fortunate enough to say that I'm a collector who has successfully obtained my own ultimate shoe, but that's another story all together. This post is about my favorite Ray Allen XI PE. There were quite a few AirJordan XI's made for Ray, and a couple of the colors still have yet to leak out to the general public. This particular one below is my personal favorite of the bunch, and it differs quite a bit from the one he wore during his Ring Ceremony.

I really like this colorway because of the clean presentation. His Ring Ceremony PE had a bunch of green on them, which made them look a bit gaudy in my opinion. They had a green sock liner, laces, and a green outsole. This PE shown here has a lot more black along with a clear outsole and traditional white laces. Most people don't know this but his XI's had his number 20 on the back instead of MJ's 23. He wore these a few times during the 2008-2009 season, and this is a pair that I'd LOVE to eventually add to my collection before I die.

]]><![CDATA[Best of Chi McBride #TBT]]>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:07:17 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/04/best-of-chi-mcbride-tbt.htmlI've had the opportunity to meet Chi McBride a few years ago. I was in SoCal at the time and ran into him at the now defunct Sole Bar. Other than the actor being taller than I expected, he was also super nice and humble. What a lot of people don't know is how deep his sneaker collection is. Of all the actors out there, I personally like his taste and variety in shoes. I've seen some RIDICULOUS heat on his feet over the years. Here are a few examples of my personal favorites.

"Eminem" AirJordan IV

2 pairs of VIBE AirForceOne's

University of Oregon AirJordan IV

Black Quai54 AirJordan V Promo

white/gold Maccabi Zoom LeBron II

Concord Low MJ PE (gold plate on the tongue)

Atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Safari

Black/Yellow University of Oregon AirJordan III

Photo Cred: The Hundreds, SoleCollector, SneakerNews.com

]]><![CDATA[Early AirYeezy Sample]]>Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:46:18 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/04/early-airyeezy-sample.htmlHere's a cool shot of Kanye West's personal tan Nike AirYeezy during one of his tours. They might look like a regular tan AirYeezy to the untrained eye but upon further inspection, his pair has a few slight differences. Flat waxed laces, Nike Sample stamp, sock liner material, leather thickness... You know, the small stuff.

I don't own them, but these would be a pretty sick pair to track down!

]]><![CDATA[Unreleased 1985 Air Jordan 1]]>Sun, 14 Apr 2013 23:25:49 GMThttp://www.phase2blogs.com/1/post/2013/04/unreleased-1985-air-jordan-1.htmlHere's a rare shoe that a lot of people don't know about... It's an original 1985 Air Jordan I in a colorway that never released. I'm guessing that it was an alternate Sales Sample or LookSee Sample to the original released black/grey pair. It's very similar as you can see in the side-by-side comparison, but you can see some panels reversed in color. Other notable differences include the outsole and sock liner colors...

For those that don't know, it's the shoe on the right.

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