IRC-Galleria

August isn't typically the best month for NBA fans. But this has been no ordinary offseason. There was the LeBron James ruckus, and a stellar draft class that gave us John Wall and enough young blood to satisfy 100 sparkling vampires.air max 2009 women Yes sir, the 2010-11 season looks like itÂ’s going to be a humdinger.

But why stand on ceremony? The 2011 NBA draft is a mere 320-odd days away.air max 2009 women Things will no doubt change between now and then. Teams and prospects will rise and fall, and things that look like sure locks might become pieces of scotch tape holding up a dam, especially since the draft is heavy on incoming freshman. Then thereÂ’s the possibility of a lockout, and the first work stoppage in the NBA since 1998-99.

But we can still speculate. Imagining how next year's draft might look isnÂ’t exactly rocket surgery. [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/nike-air-max-tailwind-2009-women-c-24.html']air max 2009 flywire [/url]Combined with some instinctual mixing and matching, the potential draft order can be gleaned from each teamÂ’s current odds to win the 2011 championship. The selections themselves are products of tireless research and gut instinct. nike 2009 air max Scouting reports on all 30 teams and prospects will show how the two will mesh.

Click “Begin Slideshow” to start disagreeing.

Rest easy, basketball traditionalists: At least one all-star player is staying put in the hardscrabble industrial city whose heart he won.

Associated Press
Stephon Marbury, left, in his debut match playing for Shanxi Zhongyu in Taiyuan in January Stephon Marbury, a two-time NBA all-star, has agreed to a three-year deal to remain in Taiyuan, nike air max tailwind 2009 leather China, with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons, the team announced last week.

The 33-year-old point guard, who played 15 games last season in the China Basketball Association and won the Most Valuable Player award in the leagueÂ’s all-star game, is set to play two more seasons and may coach in the third year. The teamÂ’s owners, led by iron-and-steel magnate Wang Xingjiang, will also establish a company to produce and sell his signature Starbury brand of athletic gear.

MarburyÂ’s decision appears to stand in stark contrast with the decision by LeBron James last month to leave the NBAÂ’s Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heatnike [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/nike-air-max-tailwind-2009-women-c-24.htm']air max tailwind 2009 running shoe.[/url]

But last week in a report in the New York Post, Marbury dismissed as “total nonsense” a Chinese media report that he had rejected an offer to play in Miami with its superstar trio of James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. He told the Post that the Miami team had contacted him about a position with the team in early June, before the Heat’s summer acquisition spree, and that he was still waiting to hear back from Miami.

Though nothing is certain until the contract is signed–which the Chinese team said would occur before the season begins–the Chinese team’s announcement and recent comments from Marbury himself suggest that door seems to have closednike air max tailwind 2009 women.

In an appearance Monday night on “Mike’d Up,” a New York sports talk show, Marbury sang the praises of Taiyuan (a video here; it may not be available in all regions), the capital of northern Shanxi province and the center of China’s coal-mining industry.

“Being able to be someplace where they show nothing but love to you… It’s the best feeling in the world,” he said. “You’re going somewhere where people want to be around you, they want to understand you, they take the time to understand you.nike air max tailwind 2009 mens It’s new. It’s a brand-new start.”

When host Bruce Beck—who’d spoken with an eccentric Marbury in a memorable session of the same show in July 2007 asked Marbury if he was considering a return to the NBA, Marbury was clear.

“Of course I miss the NBA, but I love what I’m about to endeavor now,” he said. air max 2009 women“Right now my focus is on China…. I’m focusing on continuing to build my legacy as far as building my brand.”

On his Twitter feed Tuesday, Marbury wrote: “I may be there until I hang the shoes up. Retiring in CHINA that might be kinda dope.” A tweet earlier in the day sounded less sentimental about the U.S. league: “I’m not returning to the NBA I’m rocking with the CBA. Its a bigger movement.”

St. Paul, Minn. — As criticism mounts over a big political donation by Target Corp., executives at several other Minnesota companies are weighing whether to get involved in this year's governor's race.

Gay rights groups and immigrant rights groups have called for a boycott of the retailer because it contributed to a group backing Republican Rep. Tom Emmer's campaign for governor.

The protests started when Target Corporation gave $100,000 in cash and $50,000 in contributions to MN Forward, which is supporting Emmer's bid for governor.

Emmer supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. nike airmax 2009 Target's CEO apologized for the donation and said it would review its political donations, but the criticism continued.

Immigrant rights groups protested against the retailer because Emmer called the Arizona immigration law a "wonderful first step." The liberal group MoveOn.org also started running an ad criticizing Target, and calling for a boycott, that said "our democracy is not for sale."

Target isn't the only Minnesota-based company that has given to MN Forward. Others include Best Buy, Red Wing Shoes and Polaris.

Campaign-finance reports show that a bulk of Minnesota's Fortune 500 companies have not contributed to the group [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/']nike airmax[/url]-- and many are staying mum on whether they'll get involved.

U.S. Bancorp, Ecolab and CH Robinson did not return calls seeking comment. Officials with General Mills, Hormel and 3M say they haven't given money to MN Forward but wouldn't say if they would. Medtronic spokesman Brian Henry said his company is weighing its options.

"We have been approached by MN Forward but at present we have not made a decision at this point regarding a contribution," Henry said. "It's important to note that in light of the recent Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, we have been evaluating and updating our policy regarding corporate political contributions and the MN Forward is 09 cheap nike air maxone that will be reviewed under this policy that we have."

An official with UnitedHealth Group wouldn't say whether his company has given or intends to give to MN Forward. A lobbyist for Cargill said her company will not give to the group because it has a policy of not giving to so-called 527 political groups. Officials with Land O' Lakes, Xcel Energy and SuperValu say they also won't give to the group.

The decision to get involved in politics can be a difficult one for a company and one that isn't new. 09 sneakersWhen basketball star and Nike spokesman Michael Jordan was asked why he refused to back a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, Jordan responded "Republicans buy sneakers, too."

That's the problem with mixing business and politics, said Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic and a one-time Target board member.

"I think it shows, unfortunately, that these things can reverberate because candidates have a multiplicity of positions," he said air max 09 shoes.

George said MN Forward's mission of focusing on improving the state's economic climate is important, and there is no doubt that politics has a huge impact on business. But he predicts the controversy over Target's donation has created a chilling effect in boardrooms across Minnesota.

"Nothing against MN Forward, because I think it's well intentioned, but I think companies will take a hard look at this," George said.nike air shoes "I think they will take a hard look at what the implications can be. And I think they should."

Brian McClung, who directs MN Forward, said no company executives have told him they won't give money to the group because of the Target controversy but says some are looking at Target's experience. He said many companies are undeterred by the controversy.

"Many job providers are saying, 'If we're in a situation where special interests can intimidate and shut down legitimate speech than we're all going to lose.'" he said.nike shoes 2009 "So there are many job providers that believe the answer here isn't to be swayed by this intimidation and boycotts and the like."

That latest campaign finance reports show that 15 companies gave to the PAC through Aug. 10. McClung said other companies have given but declined to name them.

The information will be made available Sept. 21, the deadline for MN Forward and other political committees to file their fundraising report.

It was just another mid-August weekend, when most New Yorkers seek refuge in the Hamptons, Fire Island or upstate along the Hudson, where the sea, sun and cool breeze surely beat the persistent humidity. Yet for the cityÂ’s basketball fans, Manhattan was the place to be these past few days.

That’s because the Global Community Cup visited New York. A bit like the World Cup of basketball, GCC held games at Madison Square Garden–the USA team played France and China played Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden.

Next the GCC will head to Madrid, where the USA will [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/']nike shoes [/url]take on Spain.

But whatÂ’s this got to do with fashion?

No other sport today is so interconnected to fashion as basketball. From the street level, where new styles are born, to fashionÂ’s adoption of the hi-top as a replacement for dress shoes, itÂ’s undeniable.

In conjunction with these games, Nike, Brand Jordan, and Converse organized a series of events.air max classic Aptly titled the World Basketball Festival, it all started on Thursday with a USA exhibition game and a performance by Jay Z at Radio City Music Hall.

The festival included scrimmages, youth tournaments among local leagues, and workshops. Kobe Bryant coached kids at HarlemÂ’s Ruckus Park, and Nike launched some new shoes: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse, the Hyperdunk 2010, and the Air Force 1 Foamposite.

To highlight its accomplishments in bringing basketball to a global audience,air max lebron Nike built a small space called the Ball Room–at Frederick Douglass Blvd and 134th Street–outlining the history of basketball since the early 20th century.

On display is the first Converse all-star shoe–created in 1917–and the Nike Blazer, launched in 1974. Those are followed by other sneakers that have edged themselves into popular–and fashionable–culture: The Air Force 1 in 1983, the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, the Air Jordan XI in 1995, and the Foamposite in 1997. (The Ball Room remains open to the public until mid September.)

Nike also devotes an entire section to the evolution of shoe technology. air max 09 Take, for example, the new Hyperfuse. Made specifically for players in China who practice in the rugged outdoors, the Hyperfuse combines a breathable outer layer of mesh nylon with a durable skin to create an extremely lightweight shoe–a size 9 weighs just 12.5 ounces.

This constant drive for technical innovation is akin to the some of the most forward fashion designers working today. nike airmax 2009 Consider Alber Elbaz. One can say that each Lanvin dress or jacket is a process of accumulation–pattern cutting, exterior and interior constructions, fabric selection, and fittings. After examining the different components that make up the Hyperfuse–mesh exterior layer, exterior upper body, outer and inner soles–I realized that a similar level of design and craftsmanship is involved.

I would venture to say that these four days seemed more like a mini “fashion show weekend” than a sporting event.09 cheap nike air max Surely it’s hard not to appreciate the diverse street style on display by attendees at Ruckus Park–even the young teenagers’ sense of fashion and style were on point

St. Paul, Minn. — As criticism mounts over a big political donation by Target Corp., executives at several other Minnesota companies are weighing whether to get involved in this year's governor's race.

Gay rights groups and immigrant rights groups have called for a boycott of the retailer because it contributed to a group backing Republican Rep. [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/nike-air-max-tailwind-2010-mens-c-28.html']air max 2010Tom [/url]Emmer's campaign for governor.

The protests started when Target Corporation gave $100,000 in cash and $50,000 in contributions to MN Forward,which is supporting Emmer's bid for governor.

Emmer supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. nike air 2010 Target's CEO apologized for the donation and said it would review its political donations, but the criticism continued.

Immigrant rights groups protested against the retailer because Emmer called the Arizona immigration law a "wonderful first step." The liberal group MoveOn.org also started running an ad criticizing Target, and calling for a boycott, that said "our democracy is not for sale."

Target isn't the only Minnesota-based company that has given to MN Forward. nike airmax 2009 Others include Best Buy, Red Wing Shoes and Polaris.

Campaign-finance reports show that a bulk of Minnesota's Fortune 500 companies have not contributed to the group -- and many are staying mum on whether they'll get involved.

U.S. Bancorp, Ecolab and CH Robinson did not return calls seeking comment. Officials with General Mills, Hormel and 3M say they haven't given money to MN Forward but wouldn't say if they would. Medtronic spokesman Brian Henry said his company is weighing its options.

"We have been approached by MN Forward but at present we have not made a decision at this point regarding a contribution," Henry said. [url='http://"http://www.nikeeb.com/']cheap nike shoes [/url]"It's important to note that in light of the recent Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, we have been evaluating and updating our policy regarding corporate political contributions and the MN Forward is one that will be reviewed under this policy that we have."

An official with UnitedHealth Group wouldn't say whether his company has given or intends to give to MN Forward. A lobbyist for Cargill said her company will not give to the group because it has a policy of not giving to so-called 527 political groups. scarpe nikeOfficials with Land O' Lakes, Xcel Energy and SuperValu say they also won't give to the group.

The decision to get involved in politics can be a difficult one for a company and one that isn't new. When basketball star and Nike spokesman Michael Jordan was asked why he refused to back a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, Jordan responded "Republicans buy sneakers, too."

That's the problem with mixing business and politics, foot locker said Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic and a one-time Target board member.

"I think it shows, unfortunately, that these things can reverberate because candidates have a multiplicity of positions," he said.

George said MN Forward's mission of focusing on improving the state's economic climate is important, and there is no doubt that politics has a huge impact on business. But he predicts the controversy over Target's donation has created a chilling effect in boardrooms across Minnesota.

"Nothing against MN Forward, because I think it's well intentioned, but I think companies will take a hard look at this," George said.Air Max Nike shoes "I think they will take a hard look at what the implications can be. And I think they should."

Brian McClung, who directs MN Forward, said no company executives have told him they won't give money to the group because of the Target controversy but says some are looking at Target's experience. He said many companies are undeterred by the controversy.

"Many job providers are saying, 'If we're in a situation where special interests can intimidate and shut down legitimate speech than we're all going to lose.'" he said. "So there are many job providers that believe the answer here isn't to be swayed by this intimidation and boycotts and the like."

That latest campaign finance reports show that 15 companies gave to the PAC through Aug. 10. McClung said other companies have given but declined to name them.

The information will be made available Sept. 21, the deadline for MN Forward and other political committees to file their fundraising report.

Sometimes with all the releases of shoes like the Nike Hyperdunk 2010, the Nike Hyperfuse and the Nike Air Force 1, 09 sneaker sit can be hard to remember that there are sneaker fans out there that are fans of shoes that fall well outside the realm of your typical basketball shoe. air max 09 shoesThere is definitely a separate subculture for shoes that look like the Clark Wallaby and there are many other shoes that look like them and are releasing at a rapid rate. Today we are going to be looking at a new version of a shoe called the Clae Jones Walnut Suede.

These ones are getting set to release at premium retailers very soon and will be constructed of a walnut colored suede upper. nike shoes 2009There will also be a cup sole and an off white midsole that is put into effect for this shoe and give it the all around smooth look.

I see way too many kids go in to a shop to buy a new pair of boots where their only criterion for the new footwear is: “Neon green.”

ItÂ’s too often that people shopping for a new pair of soccer cleats go based on something that they heard was good or looked good without even giving the alternatives a look.

This will be a new series on 10 Shirt just because one post would simply be too lengthy. air max lebronAnd with that, weÂ’re off to the first segment: Uppers!

There are really two kinds of uppers with variations in each kind as you go down a level. Neither one is necessarily better than the other, it really is all about preference.

There are three major types of leather, each with their advantages and disadvantages.

First, full-grain leather: This will be the least expensive option and tends to be the most durable of the leathers. The leather will stretch a bit and breathe a little bit. air max 09 downside with full-grain is that it doesnÂ’t stretch too much. When you buy a boot with this leather, expect it to soften up a little bit, but size wise, it will feel largely the same.

Calfskin: The middle of the range. Calfskin will stretch and breathe more than full-grain leather but will also be a little less durable. The durability factor comes in because the leather tends to be a little softer and thinner.


Kangaroo : The leather that will stretch and breathe the most but will tend to be the least durable. They also require a bit of maintenance. Not taking care of the shoe will quickly decrease the lifespan of the boot. nike max air The kangaroo is the thinnest and softest of the leathers as well as, in this writerÂ’s opinion, the most comfortable. Most of the high-end leather boots will be made of this material (your Adidas Adipures and Nike K-Leather Lasers and Legends). When purchasing a kangaroo leather cleat, you want the fit to be snug all around your foot as the leather does stretch anywhere from half a size to a full size based on the type of shoe and the kangaroo it came from.

There are options as well. nike airmax 2009The Adidas Predator X is made of engineered calfskin while Kelme famously experimented with sharkskins.

Onto the synthetics:


Synthetic shoes tend to be the most durable due to their inability to stretch to the foot. That being said, once you start getting into the very high end synthetics (your Vapors and synthetic Lasers) the durability tends to go way down due to the synthetics becoming much thinner and lighter. The main thing to know about synthetics is that the way that they feel when you first purchase the shoe is essentially the way that they will feel throughout the life of the shoe.

Newer high end synthetics from Adidas and Nike do have the ability to stretch though. 09 cheap nike air maxThe Adidas Sprintskin and Kanga Lite from Nike utilize the heat from your foot to mold the synthetic to the shape of your foot.

Dying a leather can wreak havoc with the quality and feel. One thing that IÂ’ve noticed is that different colors of the same exact boot can fit and feel differently simply due to the color of the shoe. Some colors will be softer than others. This is why you tend to find many of the really bright colors on synthetic shoes.

GAINESVILLE - Nike has collaborated with EA Sports to produce a special Florida Gators Tim Tebow Nike Air Trainer 1.2, with details announced on Monday.

The limited edition shoe was themed after the ex-Gator and The Promise he made in 2008 that got a lot of credit for Florida winning the national title that season.

The shoe bears the EA Sports logo and symbolizes the cover art of EA Sports NCAA 2011. scarpe nikeTebow was a first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos. The shoe has PROMISE written on the back and the date Sept. 27, 2008, written on it.

That's the day Florida lost 31-30 to Ole Miss and Tebow gave an emotional speech afterward promising to work harder than ever. UF went on to win the rest of its games and the national title that season.

BRANTLEY THRIVING: Florida quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler gave rave reviews for foot locker the work John Brantley has done so far in the preseason.

"He's doing a great job," Loeffler said. "Every day our main objective is to go out there and get a little bit better."

David Jones


DT recruit heading for junior college

TALLAHASSEE - The wait for Damien Jacobs to officially become a Florida State Seminole will continue a while longer.

Coach Jimbo Fisher confirmed that the defensive tackle recruit from Houma, La., air max shoes will not enroll at FSU this semester but will head to East Mississippi Community College.

The question now is: For how long?

Jacobs has been waiting all summer to be cleared by the NCAA. That wait has now carried over into the first week of practice with still no official word.

So he has decided to go the JuCo route.

"Why wait on the NCAA?" Fisher said. "If he came in now he'd be out of shape and it would be a wasted year.nike shoes If he doesn't, he redshirts over there, he gets school in and he's still got four years (to play). It would be like coming here."

If Jacobs is ruled eligible by the NCAA while he's attending East Mississippi, he would be able to enroll at Florida State the following semester. air max classicIf he's ruled ineligible, he wouldn't be able to attend FSU until he achieved his AA degree.

ANDREWS VISITS: He didn't have his whistle, but longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews still grabbed the attention of Florida State's players when he stopped by Monday's practice.

"I missed a tackle," sophomore LB Vince Williams said, "and I was like (looking over shoulder in fear). ... I thought he was gonna start coaching. nike air classic I was like, 'Somebody's gonna get blessed out in a minute.'"

Andrews, who led the defense for 26 years before retiring earlier this year, also spent some time with current FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops in the coaches' offices.

(Reuters) - Just as recession battered consumers are trickling back to malls, clothes makers in the United States face a tough choice.

Squeezed by ballooning raw material, labor and freight costs, manufacturers from Nike Inc (NKE.N) and VF Corp (VFC.N) to Hanesbrands Inc (HBI.N) and Levi Strauss & Co are fretting they might have to raise prices in fragile markets to maintain margins.

Price tags on everything from jeans to jumpsuits are likely to rise next year,nike shoes 2009 ending about three years of serious discounting.

"It's sort of the worst time possible," said Nate Herman, Vice President of International Trade with the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA),nike air max 2009 which represents over 700 apparel companies, brands and suppliers.

"As the economy is showing signs of resurgence and people are more willing to come out and buy, we have this huge cost pressure from the back-ends," Herman said, noting the last time the U.S. apparel industry saw such broad-based hikes was in the mid-1990s.

During the recession, many factories in China shut down as demand dropped.nike air max tailwind 2009 leather Now, decreased production capacity coupled with lower cotton output and higher prices of oil and labor are pressuring production costs.

Bob Shearer, Chief Financial Officer at VF Corp, the world's largest apparel company with brands such as Lee, Wrangler and Jansport, said "It's clearly not just us ... costs overall in apparel are going up."

"Cotton-based products might be pressured more than other types, but it's an overall trend," he told Reuters.

Both the AAFA and Perry Ellis International Inc (PERY.O) CEO George Feldenkreis expect prices to increase by around 5 percent starting next year.

"I think price increases will be felt around the Christmas season and going forward," Feldenkreis told Reuters.

PROFIT OR PATRONS?

With consumer confidence still fragile -- latest retail sales numbers were a damp squib -- companies are trying to mitigate price rises by seeking cheaper inputs and suppliers, but this may only be a short-term fix, said Jeremy Rubman, strategist at retail consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates.

"In the long term, I think we're looking at sustained inflation in the apparel supply chain. nike air max tailwind 2009 running shoeCosts are going to go up and the reality is that apparel companies don't have the margins to absorb it," he said.

During the latest recession, apparel retailers took on massive discounting to drive sales, and that trend has continued, albeit more temperately.

With consumers now conditioned to buying at discount, the stage could be set for a war of wills between retailers and their customers.

"Consumers focus more on what they're saving than they do on what they're spending and so they get really fixated on "this is a bargain," said Dr. Kit Yarrow, consumer psychologist and professor at the Golden Gate University.

"It's a question whether or not they're going to just hold out for a little longer until they realize prices will be higher permanently because of higher costs of labor and fabric," Yarrow said.

In the ICE Futures market, the U.S. benchmark December contract for cotton -- traditionally the most important raw material in apparel manufacturing -- rose to a 3-month high on Friday amid supply concerns.

Company executives see no reason to believe cotton prices will come down any time soon, and rising labor rates in China, dubbed the world's factory, are an additional pressure.

"And layered on top of that, cargo prices are much higher and factory capacity is down, meaning retailers are finding they are having to pay a premium in order to get what they want," Kurt Salmon's Rubman said.

Some specialty retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch Co (ANF.N) and Aeropostale Inc (ARO.N),nike air max tailwind 2009 women which have better margin buffers, are likely to begin passing on the pricing pressure by trimming discounts, followed by eventual price increases.

"The mass stores, like a Wal-Mart (Stores Inc (WMT.N)) for example, don't have that space and margin. So you're going to see small price increases start from them," Rubman added.

(Editing by Ian Geoghegan)

Rihanna isn't done expressing herself via body art.

The 22-year-old star revealed yet another tattoo, this one on her neck, while out and about in Manhattan on Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Rihanna's craziest looks of all time

Written in delicate cursive script, the fresh stamp reads "rebelle fleur," which means "rebel/rebellious flower" in French[url]http://air max 09 shoes (According to JustJared, Rihanna got it done the night before at East Side Ink in NYC's East Village.)

The "Love the Way You Lie" singer now has paid well over a dozen visits to tattoo parlors. Back in January, she revealed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that she then had "approximately 13" tattoos.

PHOTOS: [url]http://new lebron shoesRihanna straddles her beau -- plus other affectionate couples

During her appearance, she told of a new tat across her chest.

"It reads, 'Never a failure always a lesson,'" says the singer, who split with Chris Brown last year after he assaulted her.nike shoes 2009 "It's basically saying that it's ok to make a mistake, just don't make them twice." (She added that the tattoo was written backwards, so she could read the message "in the mirror to myself.")

PHOTOS: More weird celebrity body art

Tell Us: [url]http://nike air 2010do you like her latest ink?

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