words_Nick DePaula
For the past week in Las Vegas, several NBA players squared off in a series of scrimmages and practices as a pseudo try-out for the 2012 USA Olympic squad. With USA Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo, Coach Mike Krzyzewski and several other coaches all paying close attention to the action, they’re hoping to get a feel for the playing styles of several promising young players and see who could potentially fit into their plans for London’s Games. A lucky byproduct of the week-long mini-camp is also a sneak peak at several of the sneakers that the guys will be wearing this upcoming season!
Thaddeus Young might not yet be a household name, but I’d figure by 2012 he’ll be known by more than just the hardcore fans of the game. Like several of the Nike athletes at the camp, Bad Thad is wearing the Nike Hyperize in a white/navy team colorway.
During a scrimmage open to the public, Andre Iguodala showed off his exlosiveness in the Nike Hyperize. Not a good look for Wizards’ big man JaVale McGee!
OJ Mayo was also in the house too, as he broke out the Nike Air Max Rise. You can also spot Kyle Korver in the Converse Assist and DJ Augustin in the Jordan Jumpman Elite.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose pulls up for a jumper in the adidas TS Cut Creator, coming this fall!
Kevin Love THROWS IT DOWN BIG MAN in the Nike Hypermax.
Clippers emerging off guard Eric Gordon takes it to the rack in the adidas TS Creator Lightning. You think he’s got a shot at the 2012 team?
Greg Oden shows off his defensive positioning skills while Brook Lopez puts down a nice dunk in the adidas Pro Model Fusion.
Kevin Durant had everyone talking during the camp, as not only did he debut the Nike Zoom KDII, but he also left everyone in attendance in awe and appears to be a lock for the 2012 squad.
One of the lesser known players invited to the camp, Ronnie Brewer of the Utah Jazz, isn’t unnacustomed to having to work hard for his goals, as he’s been under the radar every step of the way while already enjoying some early success in his career.
Nate McMillan, Mike D’Antoni, Coach K and Jerry Colangelo all man the sidelines as they take a look at the crop of players fighting for their spot in the next Olympics. Mike D is doin’ big things!
Oh yeah, and some power moves went down in the L this week. Clippers fans — you hyped!?
July 28th, 2009 at 3:52 am
Woohoo, finally we got a name, the TS Cut Creator
(still curious about the shrouded shoes Devin Harris was wearing in China a while back).
Also, Lopez’s Pro Models, are the regular 08′s?
The KDII’s look a lot better on his feet, than the early pics did.
The Jumpman Elite’s look nice.
And I just can’t get used to the Shark-a-Laid’s, Rudy Gay deserves a better shoe than that.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:57 am
what about oden, what’s he wearing? kd2 looks good so is the sharkalaid on rudy…
July 28th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Oden is wearing the Blue Chip II
July 28th, 2009 at 8:12 am
lol look at michael beasley in the background of that kevin lunk dunk picture
July 28th, 2009 at 8:14 am
oooo type..kevin love (whered the lunk come from?)
anyways..i agree, rudy gay deserves a better shoe
July 28th, 2009 at 10:53 am
“Greg Oden shows off his defensive positioning skills” LOL he just let Brook Lopez dunk the ball hahaha
July 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I have never seen the shoe that mayo was coppin’ want to see another look.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
woooh i finally seen an NBA player wit the sharkalaids.
chusz i have them and havnt seen one person with them =D
July 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
For years I never understood why they held the Olympic practices at Valley HS… they school/gym aint sht compared to others around the city.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:39 am
wat about the shoes oj is wearing they might be a signature shoe.about time nike gives him a shoe
July 29th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Greg Oden shows off his defensive positioning skills
July 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
In every single in-game pic iv seen of Oden, he’s always pigeon-toed.
After all those surgeries you’d think…
Best pic iv seen of the Sharkalaids.
KD2s not bad.
“Cut Creator” fly ass name.