Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality encompasses both the physical and psychological elements of basketball. While his passion for practice and training is well documented, the five-time champion’s curiosity about the external factors that influence human behavior is lesser known. One aspect of that interest is the psychology of color — particularly in understanding the correlations between color, attitude and emotion.
The all-new, mid-top KOBE A.D. shoe applies Bryant’s intrigue of how color personally affects him to a five-shoe collection illuminating the origins and depth of his unyielding quest for improvement.
Metta World Peace made his first visit to the Philippines over the weekend. The former NBA star was flown in by SnippetMEdia and spent several hours in Manila for a brief meet and greet with some of his Filipino fans.
Metta, who is formerly known as Ron Artest, last played for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was teammates with Kobe Bryant and Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson.
In a conversation with SnippetMEdia’s Tina Maralit, Metta had a few kind words for the Fil-Am guard, saying he’s glad to see how far Clarkson’s basketball career has gone.
“Jordan is a good player,” MWP told Maralit. “He went from not believing he can make it in the NBA… I remember when he was young, he would say that he didn’t know. Then he went from that to going to a small school, being a second round pick (in the NBA Draft), and the rest is history.”
Clarkson was selected by the Washington Wizards as the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and went on to become a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his first year in the league.
Since then he has become one of the Lakers’ consistent scorers, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. In the offseason last summer, the 25-year-old Clarkson signed a deal with the Lakers worth $50 million over four years.
“It shows that just because you’re not the best on paper, it doesn’t mean you can’t be the best on the court, and Jordan is an example,” Metta added. “Jordan is doing well. He’s got another huge contract.”
In the 2016-17 season, Clarkson put up averages of 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting 45% from the field. The 6-5 guard is looking to build on his impressive year and head into this season focused on helping the Lakers reach the playoffs again.
“Now he just gotta win,” said Metta World Prace. “But you know, he is already winning because he (has) fulfilled his dream.”
“Who is Reece McLaren?” That was the question of the night during the ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS fight week in December 2015 when he surfaced as Jordan Lucas’ late replacement to face Filipino-American sensation Mark “Mugen” Striegl.
Striegl was supposed to have an easy night against a relatively-unknown Australian martial artist entering a high-profile bout on eight days notice, but McLaren begged to disagree and educated everyone about who he is and what he is capable of.
McLaren pulled off a major upset in his promotional debut by submitting Striegl with a rear-naked choke in the aforementioned event’s co-headliner.
Showcasing his never-say-die attitude, McLaren overcame a series of takedowns and a second-round knockdown against the highly-favored Striegl, but he methodically chipped away with stinging leg kicks.
As his counterpart appeared to lose steam in the final frame, McLaren countered a weary takedown attempt with solid elbows before he advanced to Striegl’s back to latch on the bout-ending choke at the 3:33 mark of the third round.
After his impressive conquest of Striegl, the thousands inside the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena were instantly introduced to the name of Reece “Lighting” McLaren.
Filipino basketball dreams start in the streets, in the cement courts and make-shift backboards found in just about every corner of this hoops-crazy country. It’s in those under the radar pickup games where the next basketball star is born.
These games are at their fiercest at the Tenement Court Taguig – rough, rugged and hidden by towering concrete structures on all sides. Housing a thousand families inside, this mass housing project that has deteriorated with time comes alive every time a basketball thumps on the pavement.
This striking basketball environment in the urban concrete jungle inspired Nike to create a limited edition Hyperdunk 2017 for Manila that features its latest cushioning breakthrough, Nike React. Born from thousands of hours of testing, this latest foam cushioning foam reacts quickly with each step and bounces to its original state, giving Filipino streetball players that consistent underfoot feel, game after game – helping them go further and longer than ever on Manila’s concrete courts.
One of six shoes representing New York, Chicago, LA, Beijing and Madrid in the Nike Basketball HyperFam collection, the Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Manila highlights the Tenement’s iconic look in its all-gray upper and concrete-style midsole.
Thanks to the all-new Nike React technology in the shoe’s midsole, the feel of the shoe provides a surprising combination of comfort, support, and responsive energy return that suits the Pinoy style of play on Manila’s concrete street courts. The colors and graphics used on this special edition shoe reflect Manila’s unique game and competitive playground.
The Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 ‘Manila’ will be released exclusively at Titan Two Parkade in Bonifacio Global City Taguig on August 19 and on Titan22.com for a retail price of P6,745.
Gilas Pilipinas is set to participate in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon from August 8 to 20.
Making up the national team are June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Raymond Almazan, RR Pogoy, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, Christian Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz.
In the 2015 edition of the FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas was able to reach the finals but unfortunately lost to China. Now the Philippine team is looking to perform better in this year’s tournament, but that will prove to be an even more daunting task now that Australia and New Zealand are also competing in the event.
Gilas is grouped in Group B with China, Iraq and Qatar.
Here’s the TV schedule of the Gilas games in the group phase of the FIBA Asia Cup:
Nike’s React technology is the brand’s latest innovation when it comes to shoe cushioning. The revolutionary foam is lightweight, responsive and durable, making it easier for athletes to manuever and perform better.
One of the first shoes to incorporate the React is the Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit, which was worn by Draymond Green in the Golden State Warriors’ title run earlier this year.
I was lucky to have received a pair of the Nike React Hypedunk 2017 Flyknit before the local release during a media trial runs which was set up by Nike Philippines at the Titan Love Court. Several media members and I got the chance to break in the shoes, along with Nike athletes Gabe Norwood, Kiefer Ravena, LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson.
I was really looking forward to these new Hyperdunks and the React technology that came with it because I own a pair of the 2016 model, which I also got from an event before. The 2016 Hyperdunk Flyknit became my go-to basketball shoe and I was pretty satisfied with its performance.
But when I got to try on and play in the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017, that all changed. Even basketball stars Norwood, Ravena, Tenorio and Thompson were pleased with shoe’s performance.
Aesthetic-wise, the Flyknit upper in the 2017 Hyperdunks looks more premium and sleeker than in the 2016 model. I love the adjustments they made to the Flywire eyelets as well, because that was my main concern when it came to the previous verson — I had a tough time tightening and loosening the laces.
The latest Hyperdunks are powerful and more durable. It provides better support and there’s a lot more bounce (I guess that’s because of the React technology). The one feature I really loved lies at the bottom of the shoe. The traction is insanely impressive, almost similar to the traction on the Kyrie 3, which I also did a review on several months back. I like to be quick on my feet and be able to change direction without sacrificing speed, and the shoe does great with quick and sharp cuts.
There are a few other differences between the 2016 model and this version of the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit, so I made a short video comparing the two:
Overall, Nike did a great job on the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit. I’ve already used it on both indoor and outdoor courts, no problem whatsoever. The React tech performs great and the traction is phenomenal. This may just become my new go-to basketball shoe. Looking forward to the different colorways this comes out in.
You can cop the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit at Nike stores and Titan branches nationwide starting August 3 for P8,095.
Here are some photos of the 2016 and 2017 models of the Nike Hyperdunk Flyknit
Nike recently unleashed its newest cushioning technology called React in the Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknits.
Before the official release of the shoes here in the country, Nike Philippines hosted a fun mini tournament so members of the media could try on and get a feel of the new Hyperdunks.
The shoes were great right out the box and performed pretty well on the Titan Love Court. The shoe’s durability and the reaction to sudden lateral movements is better than the 2016 model.
Gilas players Gabe Norwood and Kiefer Ravena and Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson were also able to give the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknits a run and here’s what they thought about it:
Nike Philippines round up several members from the media to test out the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit, a new shoe which features the brand’s latest innovation — the Nike React cushioning setup.
We got to play in a short 5-on-5 tournament at the Titan Love Court together with Nike brand ambassadors Gabe Norwood, LA Tenorio, Kiefer Ravena and Scottie Thompson.
NBA 3X Philippines 2017 presented by AXA reached an all-time high in popularity this year with increased participation from Metro Manila and provincial teams joining the various age group categories of the seven-year old 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Fifty six out of 176 participating teams survived the qualifiers held at Don Bosco Makati on July 15-16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals matches of the Boys Under-13, Under-16, and Under-18, Girls Under-18, Men’s Open and Women’s Open were staged at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on July 22-23.
Serving as the catalyst in NLEX’s strong 2-0 start, young guard Kevin Alas emerged as the first PBA Press Corps Player of the Week behind his inspired plays in the opening week of the Governors’ Cup.
The six-foot guard kicked off NLEX’s campaign by banging in 20 points, hauling down 8 rebounds and issuing 4 assists to lead the Road Warriors past Alaska, 112-104, last Wednesday in the opening game of the season-ending conference.
Curiously, Alas has gone up 3-0 in his head-to-head this season with his father Louie, who serves as the deputy coach of Alex Compton at Alaska.
Alas then submitted another all-around stats line of 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block as NLEX hacked KIA, 100-93.
The former Letran star easily beat out Phoenix guard RJ Jazul, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Rain or Shine’s Maverick Ahanmisi and Star veteran PJ Simon for the weekly citation.
The Road Warriors are determined to move forward following a woeful 4-win total in the first two conferences this season.
Alas and the Road Warriors will be shooting for a 3-0 start, the franchise’s first if ever under coach Yeng Guiao when they take on Rain or Shine on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
