The stars are brightly shining.
The 2011-12 NBA season made its Christmas debut yesterday, bringing with it plenty of new sneaker models and special Christmas editions of those new models. If opening day had a theme (besides Christmas) it was tone setting. Tone setting for teams, individual stars, and the sneakers they wore.
The Bulls visited the Lakers in one of the higher profile matches of the day. Derrick Rose provided the customary heroics fans waited months and months of lockout to see, slicing past Derrick Fisher for an arching one-handed drop in with 4.8 seconds left to give the Bulls an 88-87 win. Rose chose his adidas adiZero Rose 2 “Windy City” edition to do his duty. Kobe’s Nike Kobe VII “Leopard” helped him pump in 28, 7, 6 and 2 in the losing effort.
In New York, the Celtics took an 8 point lead into the 4th quarter but Carmelo Anthony (Jordan Melo M8 “Christmas”) iced the game with two free throws and a total of 37 points to edge Boston, 106-104. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each unveiled yuletide colorways of the ANTA KG 2 and Jordan Flight-The-Power, while Amar’e Stoudemire got to lace up his Nike Air Max Sweep Thru.
Dallas hosted the Heat and got toasted, 105-94. D-Wade and LeBron showed up in their expected very red Jordan Fly Wade 2 and Nike LeBron 9. LeBron was particularly full of cheer, recording 37 points, 10 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks with Wade’s 26, 8, 6, 1, and 1 to compliment. Dirk scored 21 in a pair of Nike Hyperdunk 2010 while Jason Terry got to show off his gold and blue Reebok Zig Pro Future “JET Champ” with 23 off the bench.
Dwight Howard and crew turned up in the OKC to face a hungry Thunder squad who handled the Magic, 97-89. Dwight’s adidas adiPower Howard helped him get a quiet 11 and 15. The show was, of course, all Kevin Durant. KD opted for his Nike Zoom KD IV “Copper” for a cool 30.
The “Lob City” Clippers ventured to Oakland to take on the Warriors. Chris Paul paired a solid performance of 20 points, 2 boards, 9 assists, and 2 steals in his red Jordan CP3.V while Blake Griffin added 22 and 7 in the Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011. Monta Ellis did what he could for 15 in the Air Jordan 8.0 and Steph Curry struggled for 4 points in the Hyperdunk 2011. With performances like that it’s no wonder the Clippers took home a 105-86 win.
These Christmas sneaks and a selection of some of the shoes found under the NBA Opening Day tree ahead in NBA Kicks…
