Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 2)

I can see this series becoming one of my favorites to write on this blog. Reflecting on some of my favorite pairs of sneakers while writing the first post of this series was very rewarding and humbling in that I was able to really appreciate and think about why I love every pair in my collection, and it is also fun being able to share some of my sneaker knowledge to anyone who reads these posts. Today’s pairs are slightly unconventional, which is the one thing that they have in common. Otherwise, these are very different shoes, all with different connections and stories which allow them to have entered my collection. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in White / Splatter

Besides being just an interesting shoe to look at in general, the history and inspiration of this paint-splattered pair is what really drew me to adding these to my collection. The Chicago Art Institute features one of my favorite paintings from one of my favorite artists of all time, Jackson Pollock’s Greyed Rainbow. I saw this piece for the first time while on a family Christmastime trip to Chicago in Winter 2017. On that same trip, I was able to purchase the very last pair of Maison Margiela GAT Replicas which take inspiration from Pollock’s painting style and which also just happened to be in my size. It seemed like a sign from the universe that this pair was for me, and even though I still get the occasional “What did you spill on your shoes?”, the regular wear that I get and love that I have for this sneaker makes it entirely worth it. If you know, you know.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Royal”

If you’re new to the sneaker world but read my first post from this series, then the blue variant of these Jordan 1s should look very familiar. That’s right, these are a royal blue version of the black and red Jordan 1s I wrote about earlier. Nothing is different except for the color - there is the same tumbled leather swoosh, same proportions on the tongue and midsole, and no production differences from this 2018 pair to their 2017 “Bred” counterpart. This pair was purchased in New York City during Spring Break of my Senior year of high school. While the royal blue here is louder and more vibrant than a lot of my other sneakers, these still get regular wear. Even though Michael Jordan never wore these on the court, his admiration of this colorway made it one of the most exclusive and beloved Jordan 1s of all time. If you want more history on these, Complex wrote a great article about them which you can check out here.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Bottega Veneta Voortrekking Boot in Ardoise

I’d best describe my wardrobe and style as a blurring of the line between streetwear and menswear. This pair of Chelsea boots by Bottega Veneta does just that. This specific pair, in the ardoise (slate) colorway, was popularized and ingratiated into the world of streetwear by Kanye West some years ago. The integrating of classier footwear into traditional streetwear is something I am a big fan of, so rocking these with an overcoat or distressed jeans works either way. The distinct and recognizable middle stitch and comfortable crepe sole are what really sell me on these.

Pair 4 (Bottom Right): Adidas X Kith Ultra Boost Mid “Aspen”

Streetwear brand Kith founder Ronnie Fieg has proven time and again that he knows very well how to do a collaboration. His take on the Adidas Ultra Boost as a part of the Aspen collection seen here reinvented and toyed with the silhouette as a whole, making this the first pair of mid-top Adidas Ultra Boosts on the market. Intricate knitting throughout the primeknit upper, a harshly contrasting white midsole, and a tight ankle give these Ultra Boosts a very unique look that, like lots of my favorite shoes, can either be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. One of my favorite pairs in the summertime, these Ultra Boosts are also one of the most comfortable pairs in my entire collection.

Again, this series is one that I am really excited to eventually complete. Reminiscing on trips and memories has made me even more appreciative of the footwear collection that I have built, but it has also made me start to pine for another vacation. That being said, stay tuned for a review post of a pair I just ordered today. Shall be fun.

Ranking The Seasons From My Least To Most Favorite

This is going to be a fun blog post. The topic of ranking the four seasons from least to most favorite came up recently with my wonderful girlfriend and while I initially thought I knew what my answer would be, I couldn’t definitively give an answer I was totally comfortable with without then thinking of more and more counterpoints which changed my position on the matter. The more I thought about this very controversial topic (not actually lol), pros and cons came to mind for each of the seasons and I was eventually able to come up with an order that I can comfortably rationalize. I will be doing just that in this post, so let’s get into it.

4th Favorite Season: SUMMER

I spent my entire childhood growing up in Illinois. In those formative years, summer would’ve likely ranked number 1 on my list had you asked the 9-year-old version of me who was probably in the pool 90% of the time. The reality is that I now live in Atlanta, Georgia, and the heat and humidity here, which I already am not a fan of, are seriously no joke. Being in college makes the summers strange, too, as my usual routine has to adjust and I am away from my school friends, and especially because I am 45-60 minutes away from my girlfriend when we are both home. The most redeeming quality for summer at this age is that I get to see my family so much, which is nice, but the other three seasons just have more going for them than summer does for me.

3rd Favorite Season: SPRING

The snow (if we even get any in Georgia) is beginning to melt. The birds are beginning to chirp. The beautiful flowers are beginning to show signs of life, and the windows are open. Spring is quite pleasant to me. School starts to wrap up and the summer wardrobe gets to make its return. The weather here in Atlanta is tolerable in the Spring, as well, which leads to many outdoor activities that don’t also include breaking into an instant sweat. The biggest downside to Spring is the pollen - I’m getting teary eyes and a scratchy throat just thinking about that yellow death powder. Overall Spring is a solid season, but it isn’t as special as the other two left on my list.

2nd Favorite Season: WINTER

Let’s just take the hater’s counterpoints out of their mouths before they can even say them. YES, I know it’s cold outside. I know you can’t go out for walks without bundling layers on like Ralphie’s brother from A Christmas Story. I’m sure you miss grilling out, lathering on sunscreen, and jumping in the pool (not in that order I hope). I’d argue, however, that the cozy-factor that puts Winter and my eventual #1 season over those things (it’s Fall by the way, my #1, I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now) is so much better than the heat accompanying Spring and Summer. Chocolate chip cookies, comfy blankets, and Winter holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve / Day make hold a special play in my heart. Semi-annual family trips to Chicago around Christmas time will also always be unparalleled in their sentimentality in my mind. The one season, however, that tops all of this, is…

1st Favorite Season: FALL / AUTUMN

I know better at this point than to step foot into a Bath & Bodyworks store. Doing so activates a vicious cycle of wandering over to the Fall candles and losing myself in cinnamons, pumpkins, and other Fall favorites which just makes me mad that those smells won’t be around for another two or so months of heat. My September birthday is technically at the end of the summer, but I’ve always seen it as kicking off Fall festivities. Halloween is my favorite holiday (I like da spookies), and Thanksgiving always brings my family together. Being able to wear sweaters, flannel, and boots comfortably instead of in heat-pain / denial like I do in the Summer is wonderful. The crisp air, family traditions like going to the apple orchard, and all of the wonderful colors of falling leaves make Fall my favorite season of them all.

I hope you enjoy this post and I’d be curious to hear your personal ranking and justifications. Writing about Fall just now makes me not want to go outside into the 85 degree day… what have I done?

2019 NBA Off-Season - Anthony Davis To Los Angeles Lakers Reaction

Onto the next one. Less than 48 hours after the Toronto Raptors were crowned our 2019 NBA Champions in their Game 6 defeat of the Golden State Warriors, attention shifted to the first major off-season move of what I expect will be many more to come. That move, of course, is the trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers which sends Anthony Davis to California in exchange for essentially every single Laker except for LeBron James himself. That’s right, in exchange for the Brow, the Magic-Johnson-free Lakers decided to package Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and 3 first-round draft picks (including this year’s #4 overall) to the Pelicans, who are likely to select Zion Williamson first overall during Thursday night’s NBA Draft. The acquisition and pairing of AD with LeBron seem logical for LA, but in this post I will be analyzing the trade and explaining why I think that Los Angeles gave up too much depth to justify it, and why it may end up hurting them in the long run.

Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart are all young and promising players. I’m not going to go as far as Lavar Ball often does when describing his son’s talents, but I expect him to develop into a solid starting point guard if he’s able to avoid injuries as his career continues. Brandon Ingram has been called the “next KD” which I think may be a stretch to some degree, but it’s entirely possible that Ingram will one day develop into an all-star level player especially if surrounded by other young talented players. Josh Hart and the 3 first round draft picks (WAY too many, in my opinion) are unknowns to me, but at the very least I expect one of those four players to at least benefit the Pelicans’ depth. In return for this haul, the Lakers acquired superstar Anthony Davis. While I’m excited to see Davis play alongside LeBron James on a nightly basis, I’m worried about the Lakers’ lack of depth now that the deal is done. The way that the Lakers handle free agency this offseason is going to dramatically shape their future for the next 3 to 5 years, and I think going after another superstar like Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, or Jimmy Butler this summer would be a mistake. While Golden State was able to find success and win championships with a star-studded roster, that was only possible with a talented bench who could get buckets every night to take the load off of their superstars. They were unable to win it all this year as their bench proved to be insufficient and injuries shook the foundation of their super-team. The Lakers may run into the same fate if they try to acquire another superstar. I also do not like the prospect of removing young players and draft picks. It may be a harsh reality to some, but LeBron is aging, won’t be in the league forever, and has a supermassive contract which eats up cap space to acquire depths and shooters to surround the new best backcourt in the Western Conference and possibly the NBA. LAL seems to be convinced they can win a championship next season, but I am doubting that as of right now. On the other hand, I think that the New Orleans Pelicans will be a force to be reckoned with in a few years, and would be even more of a threat sooner if they were in the Eastern Conference (they’re in Louisiana, why aren’t they anyway?).

I completely expect Kenan Thompson to give us Lavar Ball’s reaction to the trade as soon as SNL returns.

I’m already caught up in F5 season as I sit on NBA threads refreshing to see if there are any new developments in trade talks or free agency. I have a feeling that this will be a very eventful off-season as we approach a new era of NBA Basketball. All of the happenings around the league will be covered and analyzed right here on this blog, so stay tuned if you geek about this stuff as much as I do. Also - is ‘Big Baller Brand’ even a thing anymore? RIP to anyone who bought those $495 sneakers Lonzo released a couple of years ago.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 1)

Today I am excited to start what I hope will be a successful series of posts on this blog which will highlight one of my biggest hobbies and passions, which is sneakers and footwear. In these posts, I will select 4 sneakers, boots, or shoes from my collection that are not entirely similar to one another and share something about each pair whether it be why they are special to me, the history of the shoe, or a funny story that occurred while I was wearing that pair. I’m fortunate in that I have been able to cultivate a diverse and sizable collection of shoes to post about, so this series should last a good while. Once I write about every shoe in my collection, I will then have to wait until more pairs join the shoe-family to continue posting. Let’s start, shall we?

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Bred”

I’ll start by saying that the Air Jordan 1 is my favorite sneaker silhouette of all time. As this series continues that will become evident as I highlight different colors of the “same shoe”, all which are extremely different to me. The “Bred” (black + red) colorway of the Air Jordan 1 may just be my favorite shoe of all time overall, as well. Iconic for its infamous banning in the 1985 NBA season when Michael Jordan debuted a sneaker which had colors contrary to his Chicago Bulls dress code, the Jordan 1 in black and red has become one of the most culturally significant and easily recognizable shoes with its distinct university red swoosh. One of the more versatile sneakers in my collection, the Bred 1 is a go-to for any season and will forever be a sneaker that I cherish dearly, and will hopefully double-up on sooner rather than later.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Nike X Off-White Presto - The Ten

While it may look like an ordinary or even somewhat strange sneaker to the average person, this sneaker is one of the most highly-coveted in my entire collection. The Nike X Off-White Presto released in 2017 as a part of Nike’s collaboration with Off-White label founder and Rockford, Illinois native Virgil Abloh. Virgil's series, The Ten, redesigned and reconstructed classic Nike silhouettes such as the Air Jordan 1, Nike Blazer, and pictured here, Nike Presto. The deconstructed and very literal aspects of this sneaker make it unique, such as the detached tongue, quotation marks on the shoelaces and back velcro tab, and the zip tie (more info here) which I refuse to wear on feet as I think it looks a bit over-the-top. I enjoy the street appeal of this pair, but mainly enjoy them because of their comfort and am a big fan of the color blocking and interchangeable neon laces on these shoes.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Adidas Yeezy 350 Boost V2 “Sesame”

While there is a lot to be said about artist and pop-culture icon Kanye West, it is undeniable that he had made an everlasting impact on music, of course, but more recently sneakers and fashion as well. West’s promise to make Yeezy’s available for everyone seems to finally be coming true as adidas has upped production numbers on recent releases, especially for certain colorways. I was lucky to have scooped a pair of the “Sesame” 350s the morning that they released on YeezySupply.com, and since then I have worn they fairly regularly. I have owned a fair share of Yeezys throughout my sneaker collecting time which have come and gone, but the “Sesame” 350 is the one pair that I have left. The comfortability of Mr. West’s collaboration is incredible, and the neutral tones and gum sole featured on this specific pair make it the perfect casual summer sneaker, or a nice fall switch-up when paired with a button-down shirt and overcoat for a sophisticated urban look.

Pair 4: (Bottom Right) Saint Laurent Paris Wyatt Harness Boot in Black Leather

These rival my “Bred” Air Jordan 1s for favorite shoe in my collection. Perhaps these are my favorite non-sneaker footwear of them all. The iconic statement piece featured here is one that I am extremely lucky to have as a part of my collection. The quality of Saint Laurent footwear is incredible (I have another pair which will be featured in a future post) and the craftsmanship is remarkable, as well. This boot makes me feel like an absolute rockstar when on foot, and its heel gives me just enough height to be able to say that I am actually six feet tall without having to round up. Pairing this boot with an all black outfit or oversized sweatshirt in the winter makes me feel like I can conquer any task in front of me, and they are certainly a conversation starter, as well. Forever love my Wyatts.

I’m excited to continue this sneaker (and boots, etc.) series over the coming weeks and months. I find great value in cherishing dearly the possessions you have in your life, and reflecting upon why I love every single pair in my collection on this blog will allow me to do just that. Stay tuned.

2019 NBA Finals Game 6 Recap + Series Recap

Well, it actually happened. The Toronto Raptors are our 2019 NBA champions, and it’s beginning to look like the beginning of the end of the Golden State Warrior dynasty. Though the Warriors were as injured as they have been since the beginning of their yearly championship tradition, they fought their hardest and left everything out on the court against an extremely talented and spirited Raptors team who were able to earn their first NBA title. Any of the doubters who said the Kawhi Leonard acquisition last summer was ill-advised and wouldn’t pay off have been silenced. Hopefully there isn’t an asterisk placed next to this championship, because the Raptors completely earned it - fair and square.

It was hard watching Klay Thompson writhing in pain on the floor during the 3rd quarter of what seemed to feel like a winnable Game 6 for Golden State. He had played a fantastic game up until that point. As soon as he fell, I knew that the season was effectively over. Golden State played a very good game up until then, but losing one of the splash brothers along with Kevin Durant being out of the game was simply too much of a mountain to overcome, even for such a talented and explosive Warriors team on their home court. Now 2X Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet (shoutout 815) proved that they are worthy of winning a championship by playing smart basketball, making difficult shots, and remaining composed and focused as the prize got closer and closer. If Kawhi Leonard stays in Toronto next season, it’s hard not to call them the frontrunner for next year’s championship as of right now before free agency. The Warriors are going to be going through changes and the Western Conference is still taxing on its playoff teams, so it seems like the Raptors may have good odds of returning to the biggest stage next season.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series and this year’s NBA Playoffs as a whole besides all of the injuries that occurred. I am extremely happy for the Toronto Raptors for finally getting over the hump and winning their first title, and it will be very exciting to see what kind of moves teams make over the summer which will directly affect next season. I will be covering and analyzing all of those moves on this blog. Hoping that my predictions are slightly more accurate next season, but until then, the grueling wait begins.