Nike Basketball News

The Moment: Ruthless Efficiency

TheLetterJ — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:05:03 GMT

The Game 2 table was set as a must-win scenario.

That's right: a non-elimination home affair that Phoenix just had to have.

The Suns simply couldn't extend the same courtesies to its guests as it had in Game 1: settling for 32 threes, almost refusing to attack the basket, letting an injury-ravaged Portland squad without its leading man truly believe.

Phoenix was in danger of letting Portland escape the desert with a commanding series lead - carrying all the momentum back to the comforts of the sure-to-be-rocking Rose Garden.

But it didn't happen.

It began with their first break-out basket and exploded into a 29-point victory. It ended with their starters not needing to set sneaker on hardwood for the entire fourth quarter.

In the Game 1 loss, Phoenix scored exactly 100 points. Game 2: nearly 100 by the end of the third quarter. The starting five shot 65% from the floor, 63% from deep and 87% from the line.

Grant Hill turned back the clock, sinking 10-of-11 shots. Amar'e Stoudemire spent 31 minutes on his personal pogo stick. And Steve Nash dished out 9 first quarter assists on his way to a masterful 16-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Moment? Try a collection of ruthless efficiency.

The Collection 3.0: Hyperdunk Low Steve Nash

TheLetterJ — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:44:24 GMT

Steve Nash had 9 assists on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. 9 assists - in the first quarter. Nash finished with 13 points and 16 assists, as the Suns defeated the Blazers 119-90.

Steve has been wearing the Cradle Rock Low recently, but he may break out his Hyperdunk Low in the future.

All-Star Round-Up: Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers

tonyhellberg1 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:38:59 GMT

The 2010 Eastern and Western Conference NBA All-Star starters will be announced on Thursday, January 21 - right before a game between the Lakers and the Cavaliers. One week later, on January 28, the remaining All-Stars will be named, after the the results of each conference's coaches vote are announced.  nikebasketball.com will be taking a look at players from all over the league, and stating the case on why specific players have earned a vote from the coaches.

Today: The Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash

Season stats: 19.2 PPG, 11.3 APG, 54.4% FG, 44.1% 3PT FG, 94.5% FT

Hello...fountain of youth. That 19.2 PPG clip would be a career-best. And every other number listed above is at or above a career-high mark, too. Nash is doing it all in just 33.7 minutes per game. Translation: this may be the most efficient season in a career spent redefining that word. Did we mention Nash has only missed seven free throws to date? SEVEN. And he’s apparently got a stranglehold on the fabled 50/40/90 troika that defines legendary shooting ability.

Amar’e Stoudemire

Season stats: 20.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 56.7% FG

There’s raw. There’s athletic. And then there’s Amar’e Stoudemire careening down the lane at 6’10”. With 14 double-doubles and a litany of fresh posterizeable dunks, Amar’e has spent the first half giving us reasons to be thankful for the Suns’ breakneck pace. With that aforementioned high-flying capacity, he’s currently holding down the No. 8 spot for field goal percentage and a top-20 rebounding average. The Suns’ remain within striking distance of the Pacific Division crown.

Philadelphia 76ers

Andre Iguodala

Season stats: 18.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.8 APG

As the 76ers do-it-all leader, Iguodala continues to be a highlight waiting to happen on any given night. 10 rebounds here and 10 assists there add up to 4 double-doubles to date. Plus 18 games with at least 20 points. A model of consistency, Iggy remains “Top Plays” appointment viewing.

Steve Nash: Athletes for Hope - Educare Arizona, Quality Early Learning For Little MVPs

TheLetterJ — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:29:51 GMT

Athletes for Hope is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by some of the world's finest athletes with the singular goal of inspiring the sports community to make a positive difference throughout the world.

Steve Nash is participating in Who Gives? Racing for a Cause, a not-for-profit competition. Donations will be accepted through January 15, 2010. The athletes who raise the most money on behalf of his/her project in that time, and those who receive the greatest number of donations will win additional bounty awards of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, respectively (total of $30,000 in bounty awards). In addition, there will be periodic daily challenges with additional awards to be announced - stay tuned!

The Steve Nash Foundation is working to eliminate the quality gap in educational opportunities offered to our youngest MVPs: at-risk children ages birth to five. In Arizona, just over a third of a million kids are living in poverty, and most of them don't have health care. Educare Arizona hopes to provide quality early learning and teacher training programs, neighborhood medical services, and help for parents fostering learning at home, changing the lives of children, their families, and our communities.

To learn more about Educare Arizona, including how to make a donation, visit the GlobalGiving web site.

The Collection 3.0: Cradle Rock Low Supreme

TheLetterJ — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:25:09 GMT

Steve Nash has steered the Phoenix Suns to a 15-7 record, good for second place in the Pacific Division. Despite playing an early-season schedule that included 15 out of 22 games on the road, the Suns train the Lakers by only three games.

Steve is averaging a league-leading 11 assists per game in Phoenix's high-paced offense. He's also improved his scoring by two points over last year to 17.5 points per game.

This season, Steve is wearing the Cradle Rock Low. Before the season began, four versions of the Cradle Rock Low Supreme were released in Asia. Each color represents a different country. Thailand: orange, China: green, Philippines: blue, Japan: red.

Check out the photographs, and share your opinion in the comments.

Play With Heart Moments: November 9, 2009

TheLetterJ — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:32:13 GMT

Steve Nash scored 21 points last night in a 119-115 victory over Philadelphia last night. But that wasn't the most impressive part of his evening. Why not? He also dished out 20 assists - in 36 minutes.

Helping five of your teammates score in double figures? Recording 37 assists in your past two games? That's Playing With Heart.

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Don't just play. Play With Heart. See what Playing With Heart means to LeBron James, and pledge your heart to the game.

Play With Heart Moments: October 28, 2009

TheLetterJ — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:25:59 GMT

Check out Play With Heart moments from Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, and Al Horford.

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Oklahoma City made a statement in its first game of the season, beating Sacramento 102-89. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook had the pure drive to win. Durant had a double-double, with 25 points and 11 rebounds, two of which came on a baseline-to-baseline finish in the first quarter. Northwestern High School alumnus Jeff Green chipped in 24 points, going 4-5 from behind the arc, along with 8 rebounds. Russell Westbrook ran the offense to perfection, finishing with 14 points and a career-high 13 assists, including a pretty thread of the needle to Durant in the second quarter.

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Steve Nash was clutch in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 24 points--including 7 straight Suns points--in the final stanza, as Phoenix beat the Clippers 109-107. With 5 seconds to go, Nash hit a circus layup in traffic, which would be the deciding points in the Suns victory.

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Atlanta's Al Horford had 24 points, 16 rebounds to lead his team over Indiana 120-109, with two of those points coming on a follow-up dunk in the middle of the fourth quarter. But he also showed up in the box score with 4 assists, including two in the third quarter on consecutive possessions.

What was your favorite Play With Heart moment from Wednesday?

1-on-1: Tony Parker vs. Steve Nash - Better International Point Guard

TheLetterJ — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:07:22 GMT

At one point:

A Belgian-born French national, NBA Finals MVP.

At the other:

A South African-born Canadian national, back-to-back NBA season MVP.

Tony Parker stands 6’2” and whips through opposing defenses with the smoothest teardrop finish in the league. His resume also includes:

• 3 NBA Championship rings
• 3 NBA All-Star appearances
• 1 FIBA U18 Championship MVP
• 1 European Player of the Year award
• 1 All-NBA Third Team Selection
• 1 NBA Finals MVP

Tony was also named French League Rookie of the Year and led France to a bronze medal in the 2005 FIBA Euro Championships. He’s been the French national team captain since 2003.

Steve Nash checks in at 6’3” and measures every possession with the calculated precision of a nuclear physicist. His resume also includes:

• 6 NBA All-Star games
• 3 NBA First Team selections
• 2 NBA Second Team selections
• 1 NBA Third Team selections
• 1 of only 8 players to win back-to-back NBA league MVPs
• 1 of only four players to shoot 50/40/90 (Field Goal/Three Point/Free Throw percentage) for an entire season

An avid soccer enthusiast, Steve has also won the Lou Marsh Trophy (Canadian Athlete of the Year) and the Lionel Conacher Award (Canadian Male Athlete of the Year). While in college, Nash played on the Canadian national team in the Canada Games (bronze) and the World University Games (silver). He captained them at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and in the 2004 qualifying tournaments.

So who’s the better international point guard:

Tony Parker or Steve Nash?

The Collection: Playoff Pack

Hotnix — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:03:15 GMT

This past weekend marked the beginning of the second season, and after 82 grueling games each team faces their greatest challenge. There's no better way for the league's best players to refresh their game than with the new Nike Basketball Playoff Pack.

This playoff stretch puts these teams’ physical, mental and emotional fortitude to the test until one by one the weakest links fall. To give them that extra edge, Nike introduced revamped versions of their elite basketball shoes for the most elite players in the game. Each shoe is emblazoned with a unique logo designed specifically for Kobe, LeBron, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki. And even though they just nearly missed the cut, there’s even some new kicks for Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash.

The Black Mamba’s approach to this postseason is influenced by his team’s loss in last year’s Finals matchup with Boston. To give him that extra edge to push for the ring the Zoom Kobe IV gets a makeover with a sleek black, white and gold colorway. His unique crest features Mamba, a chess board pattern for his strategic approach to the game, and three interlocked rings symbolizing his wife and daughters that drive him to greatness.

LeBron James is facing his fourth playoff run, but this time he’s a different man with a greater determination and a stronger team behind him. To prepare him for the battle ahead the Zoom Soldier III is lighter and faster, helping him step ahead of his competition. And to celebrate his lifelong love for the game his crest features a nod to his high school Mr. Basketball Ohio honors, a pattern that represents the milk crate that was his first hoop, and the lion head that symbolizes his ferocity and ascent to the throne.

Tony Parker led his Spurs Saturday, putting up 24 points and 8 assists in their tough loss against their hungry Texas rival Mavericks. But the war is not lost, and he’ll be back on his feet tonight rocking the remixed Zoom Flightclub. Modeled after the Zoom Flight 98, the upper is sheathed in a cool white perforated skin for snug lockdown. His Playoff crest features his “TP9″ logo, a Make-a-Wish inspired graphic and a nod to France with the Eiffel Tower.

The Dallas Mavericks are riding high off their 105-97 opening playoff win over the Spurs, largely due to Dirk Nowitzki’s powerful presence on the floor. And he’s riding nice in the new playoff edition of the Nike Air Max Spot Up. The all white upper features a perfed toe box, a black heel cup, Max Air in the rear sole, and Dallas blue accents. To cap it off, his crest features his unique Dirk logo, his jersey number and the majestic German eagle graphic.

Even though Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire won’t be playing in the postseason, they can still style with their special edition Zoom MVPs and Foamposit Lights.

The Foamposite Light gets a Stoudemire retouching in a pearl white with subtle tribal design and black outsole, with flashes of purple on the laces, inner lining, swoosh, tongue and heel strap. His personalized crest features his STAT logo, the moon and sea icon for Forceand the God is King symbol of hope.

And to round out the collection, Steve Nash’s Zoom MVP comes in the cool playoff white with black outsole and the Phoenix orange accenting the black swoosh, tongue, laces and inner lining. His crest sits bold on the heel with the signature Steve Nash logo, the jagged web of the Trash Talk stitching, and the 60 Million Dollar Man graphic from his most recent commercial.

Check out the entire collection at House of Hoops locations now.

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
New York
268 West 125th Street
NY, NY 10027
(212) 316-1667

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
Los Angeles
Beverly Center Mall - 6th Floor
8500 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 854-0071

House of Hoops by Foot Locker
Chicago
North Riverside Park Mall
7501 W Cermak Rd
Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 447-2060

The Family: Versus

Hotnix — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:42:42 GMT

Heading into the final stretch it’s clear who the top teams are. But one of the toughest battles will be fought for that 8th and final position in the West. Sunday Dallas and Phoenix make their last drive for the post season.

Phoenix is a team in search of an identity. Formerly known the fastest team in the league, the Suns have slowed their pace this season as they’ve struggled to reshape their offense around their new big man. And even though the future hall-of-fame center has had some big nights, the team has yet to settle into a groove and return to dominance in the West. Led by their fleet-footed floor general Steve Nash, they have 40 wins and 34 losses and sit just 3 ½ games out of that final seat in the Western conference playoffs.

A short time ago the Dallas Mavericks seemed unstoppable. In 2006 they brought home the conference title and in ’07 they locked up the Division title. But as the Lakers have taken over the crown in the West, the Mavs have struggled this year to regain their footing. With the return of their legendary point guard came a hope that the team would quickly improve, but as they continue to work out the kinks they’ve landed a record of 43 wins and 30 losses. Dirk Nowitzki, the 2007 league MVP, has been the team’s rock for years and their playoff run rests squarely on his shoulders.

These two Western powerhouses go head-to-head Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm ET.

NBA Regular Season

Monday, March 30

Orlando vs. Miami @ 7:30pm ET

Wednesday, April 1

Detroit vs. Cleveland @ 7:00pm ET

Thursday, April 2

Utah vs. Denver @ 10:30pm ET

Friday, April 3

Denver vs. Dallas @ 8:30pm ET

Sunday, April 5

Phoenix vs. Dallas @ 3:30pm ET

The Family: Westbrook's Triple-double

Hotnix — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:33:29 GMT

With all eyes on the #1, #2 and #3 2008-09 draft picks, a player like Russell Westbrook didn't get the attention he deserved as the #4 overall pick. But after last night's triple-double performance he's definitely at the top of the Rookie of the Year list.

There's a lot to be said about Westbrook who, like Canada's Steve Nash, has floated under the radar since high school. As a senior he lit up the L.A. area competition by averaging 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.3 assists. In four years he logged 57 three-pointers, 14 double-doubles, a career-high 51 points in a single game and scored 30 or more points eight different times. But like Nash, he still didn't attract a lot of attention from college recruiters. Not until L.A.'s blue and gold made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

In his two years of college he led his team to the national semi-finals twice. For his all-around game he was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, earned Third Team All-conference honors and was named to the conference All-Defensive Team. And then he joined O.J. Mayo and a class of well known one-and-dones to make the leap.

History proves that not all dominant college players are successful when they go pro. But with only half a season under his belt, Westbrook is following in the footsteps of his teammate, mentor and last year's ROY Kevin Durant. After averaging 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists a game in the first half of the season he was invited to play against KD in the Rookie/Sophomore game during the 2009 midseason classic in Phoenix. Sadly, he and the rookies lost as KD put up an enormous 46 points.

Last night his leadership skills were put to the test as the young Oklahoma City Thunder faced the veteran Dallas Mavericks without the injured Durant. Westbrook showed off his ability to penetrate and create easy baskets for his teammates with 10 assists. He went head-to-head with the big men to grab 10 rebounds. And in the end, he rounded out the triple-double with 17 points, including a beautiful alley oop jam in the second quarter.

With the recent resurgence of power point guards in the league, he's being mentioned in the company of Nash, Deron Williams and Brandon Roy, players that see the entire game, break down defenses and can get the ball to any one of their teammates at will. And as the OKC Thunder look to get their footing and establish themselves in the Western conference it'll be Westbrook's work as floor general that will take them to the top.