Adidas Samba

In 2003 Sports247365, late mother gave him birthday money for sneakers. Took a trip to Center City Philadelphia to City Sports. That June day purchased the Air Jordan XIII black/grey/chrome. However they had a sale and with that sale was able to purchase first pair of Adidas Samba black version. As years would go on, black and white Samba soccer shoes by Adidas would become staple pieces. They too could be dressed up and down and are extremely comfortable. Actually need a new a pair of both the black and white Adidas Samba sneakers currently !

Black Converse All Star (High Top)

We know how far the Converse All Star High Top goes back. A really long long long time ! For Sports247365 growing up, personally thought due to my shoe size they would make my feet look  extremely long. Around 2007 picked up a pair via Urban Outfitters website yet it wasn't a traditional color. Fast forward to about 4-5 years ago, picked up the traditional Black Converse All Star High Top. Which quickly became a staple piece, that can be dressed up or down fashion wise. However not much support in the sole if walking around in them for hours ! Yet they are extremely cool, weather they are new or old. They will continue to be a staple piece type of footwear for me now and in the future.

New Balance 574

As a kid, here at Sports247365 used to think the 'N' on these running shoes were for Nike. It was the early 90's and several people in the neighborhood had New Balance 574 sneakers in various colors. As time went on I begin to understand the 'N' was Nike it was for New Balance. New Balance is a running company based out of Boston. My first pair of 574 came a few day's shy of my 23rd birthday in June 2004. While my favorite colorway of the New Balance 574 is the navy/teal/gray edition. Since 2004 these have become a staple piece of my personal sneaker collection. They are extremely flexible, they can be dressed up or down. They can be worn with a blazer. Of course they can be used to workout in. They look great new, fresh and crispy. Yet the look just as good old and worn. New Balance 574 for life !

Yankees Down 0-2 Comeback vs. Tribe

The New York Yankees added to the postseason misery for the Cleveland Indians and their fans. Wednesday night a 5-2 victory by New York put them in the ALCS vs. Houston. At one point during the season Cleveland won over 20 consecutive games. Now manager Terry Francona team blew a 2-0 best of 5 ALDS lead. Which was capped off by an ineffective start by ace Corey Kluber, with the season on the line in Game 5. During this home postseason start Kluber didn't make it out of the 4th inning. The Yankees already scored 3 runs off the Cleveland ace. Meanwhile the Yankees qualified as a Wild Card participant. Last week at home in a one game winner take all game, they fell behind early at home. Then suddenly the boys from the Bronx took the game over and eliminated Minnesota. Fast forward to this week after losing the first two ALDS games in Cleveland, the Yankees came home to win 2 games and even the series 2-2. Then the Yankees went on the road to complete the comeback. The Indians went down in defeat vs. Chicago last year. The Cubs came back from a 3-1 World Series deficit to break their curse. Leaving the Indians and their fans hurt. The Yankees Wednesday night simply added to that.

Joel Embiid Maxing It Up

Earlier this week the Philadelphia 76ers extended center Joel Embiid contract. Embiid was entering the final year of his rookie contract. After completely missing the first two seasons of his NBA career due to injury, he finally suited up for Philadelphia last season. 33 games then shut down shortly after is what Emiid offered in 2016-17. Yet the potential was there and certainly is there. The former Kansas Jayhawk when healthy can affect both sides of the court, offensively and defensively. Joel Emiid signed a 5 year $148 million deal to remain in Philadelphia. Ben Simmons the versatile number one pick of the 2016 NBA Draft is back after missing his rookie campaign, a year ago. 2017 number one pick Markelle Fultz is battling through shoulder soreness in the pre season. It will be interesting to see how the 76ers will look once you get those 3 on the court together, as well as the supporting cast for head coach Brett Brown.

0-5 Which Of These 3 Teams Will Win 1st ?

After Sunday slate of Week 5 NFL games were over, 3 teams remained win less. These 3 teams are a combined 0-15, each sporting 0-5 records. The San Francisco 49ers have been the most competitive of the 3 teams. Tough close defeats. The Giants are struggling on both sides of the football. Now they are being hit with major injuries. The offensive line has struggled early on. The head coach also has thrown his future Hall Of Fame quarterback Eli Manning under the bus publicly to the media. Cleveland is Cleveland meaning they are in games, yet a play here a play there, they come up short.

The 49ers coach is in his rookie year, the Giants coach is in year two as well as Jackson in Cleveland. So with that said, which one of these 3 football teams will land a victory.

Bang ! Rodgers Does It To Cowboys Yet Again...

On Sunday at AT&T Stadium offensively Dallas came out clicking on all cylinders. Green Bay and their defense couldn't contain the likes of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten along with other Cowboys offensive supporting cast. Last year during the divisional playoffs in Arlington, TX the Cowboys appeared to be heading to the NFC Championship Game. Yet Aaron Rodgers led a late 4th quarter drive that put the game in overtime. Then in overtime put the Packers in field goal range to end the game and the Cowboys season. On Sunday their was no overtime. Yet same result. Late game drive after Dallas took the lead. Prescott scored with a little over a minute left. Rodgers took advantage of it and had a timeout to spare. Thanks in large part to some time mismanagement leaving Green Bay enough time and even one time out remaining. With 11 seconds remaining in the game Rodgers found Davonte Adams on a back shoulder fade, to seal the deal. Green Bay improved to 4-1 with the 35-31 victory. Meanwhile Dallas fell to 2-3. Last year Dallas finished the regular season 13-3.

JJ Watt Done For The Season

JJ Watt became the face of Houston with all his fundraising during Hurricane Harvey. Sunday night during the Texans home game vs. Kansas City, when Watt went down the air came out of the stadium. Kansas City remained undefeated improving to 5-0. Yet for the Texans fans and their organization the leg fracture from Watt is what they are concerned with. This guy is an all pro on and off the field, even in the community. He's a battler with multiple injuries throughout his career from finger to back to shoulder now leg. Who knows what the future holds for JJ Watt going forward. The shining light on the city and franchise is rookie Deshaun Watson. Watson is electrifying with his passing and running ability.

Giants Fall To 0-5 + Beckham Suffers Leg Fracture

Sunday was a nightmare for the New York Football Giants. Metlife Stadium was the sight for the winless Los Angeles Chargers vs. the winless New York Giants. The Giants lost multiple wide receivers during the game, including free agent acquisition Brandon Marshall to an ankle injury. The 4th quarter went back and forth for two clubs fighting for their 1st win. In the end Phillip Rivers would throw a touchdown pass to complete the come from behind victory. Odell Beckham Jr. who was injured during a preseason game in Cleveland was injured again on Sunday. Replays showed his foot being trapped in the turf, as he's being tackled. Beckham Jr. needed help getting to the cart. Odell even cried on the cart. X-Rays showed a fracture in the leg / ankle area. His season could be over. Meanwhile the Giants fell to 0-5.

Alex Smith + Chiefs Make Opening Statement

On Thursday night the New England Patriots didn't look so 'super'. Yes it's only week one and you expect things to get better as the season goes along for the Pats. Despite losing all pro safety Eric Berry in the 2nd half and for the season with a torn Achilles, KC pulled it out 42-27. Welcome to the NFL rookie running back Kareem Hunt set all types of rookie yards from scrimmage records for a debut. Even after fumbling on his opening carry, the kid had rushing and receiving touchdowns. Add in the likes of speedster Tyreke Hill and bruiser Travis Kelce, the Chiefs maybe in business this season. Alex Smith had only is 7th 300 yard passing game in his career. Both teams have ten days off until their next respective games in week two.

Slugfest / Fight Of The Year Candidate

Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez will take place Saturday September 16th. T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This fight will be a middleweight unification bout. Golden Boy Promotions led by Oscar De La Hoya will be apart of the promotional marketing of the fight. Sneaker companies such as the Jordan Brand and Under Armor, have endorsement deals with GGG and Saul Alvarez respectively. These heavy hitters should provide a slugfest for however many rounds the fight will last. Personally believe it'll have a chance to be the fight of the year in 2017. These fighters have been on a collision course for quiet sometime. Kudos to both fighters and their respective camps for finally make it happen.

Thanks To Hurricane Irma No Bye : Dolphins / Buccanneers

The Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't be happy campers. Thanks to the pending weather due to Hurricane Irma, their will be no game in week one between the two teams. The NFL thought about other options : like playing at a neutral site. However the game slated for opening weekend will take place in November. Both teams had an original bye date for November 19. Now the bye is gone and that's when the game will be played. Both teams after week one will basically play 16 straight games weeks 2 through 17. It's a hard knock life, not to be mistaken with the HBO show the Buccaneers recently appeared on during training camp.

Coach Of 1985 'Perfect' Championship Game Passes Away

After a lengthy battle with is declining health this past week Rollie Massimino passed away in Florida. The man who brought the first national title to Villanova in 1985, is a mentor of Jay Wright. Coach Massimino in the late 80's hired Wright as a graduate assistant. Fast forward to 2016 Massimino health wasn't good and he missed the National Semifinal vs. Oklahoma. Nonetheless two nights later in Houston, he was there to see Villanova beat North Carolina. His former graduate assistant had coached Villanova to their 2nd title in school history. Massimo led his guys on a historic run in 1985 pre shot clock. Yet a historic run nonetheless. Tremendous shooting vs. Big East rival Georgetown helped the talk the it would take a perfect game and that is what the Wildcats did. Rollie Massimino will be forever watching over Villanova.

Steelers Sign CB Joe Haden

In Cleveland the Browns are going with a youth movement. Veteran cornerback Joe Haden earlier in the week was released by the Browns. Cleveland was unable to trade the pro bowl cornerback away, probably due to age and contract. Nonetheless Joe Haden and Steelers all pro wide receiver Antonio Brown only have to face off in practice now. The two are teammates. Pittsburgh also extended Haden for 3 years. Joe Haden will have the opportunity to play in meaningful games. With the chance to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. By the way Cleveland matches up with Pittsburgh in week one next Sunday to open up the 2017 season. Storylines galore in that contest. The 1st of 2 this season for the AFC North counterparts.

Rookie Kizer In Veteran Osweiler Out

Brock Osweiler was released after the Cleveland Browns were unsuccessful at trading the quarterback. Earlier in the off season Osweiler was acquired from Houston, where he only lasted one season there. Houston signed Osweiler to big money during the 2016 off season. Brock Osweiler helped hold the fort down while Peyton Manning was out for Denver, until he returned. That Broncos team defeated Carolina in Superbowl 50. Later in the week after being released by Cleveland Osweiler will be back in Denver. The Broncos signed the veteran quarterback bringing him back home. Meanwhile DeShone Kizer the rookie quarterback from Notre Dame showed enough process during the preseason. A preseason in which Kizer caught the attention and eyes of his coaches. With week one of the 2017 NFL season quickly approaching, Kizer is thrown into the 'fire'. Cleveland takes on Pittsburgh next Sunday to open the season.

Kyrie Traded For Isaiah

Weeks following the Cavaliers NBA Finals loss to the Warriors, rumors begin to come out of Cleveland. Scoring point guard Kyrie Irving the former top pick of the NBA Draft, wanted out of Cleveland. No longer did Irving want to play with Lebron James. Kyrie wanted out of the shadows of Lebron. He and James during their 3 seasons together in Cleveland never missed an NBA Finals. All
3 times Golden State were the opponents. The Warriors won in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Cleveland won in 2016 with Irving hitting the championship clinching 3 pointer in Game 7 over Stephen Curry. This past season in Boston Isaiah Thomas help lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals at top overall seed. However they fell to the Cavs. Now the two scoring point guards who averaged over 25ppg last season are trading places. Keep in mind with this trade the nagging hip injury IT suffered and re injured in the playoffs that ended his post season. Yet if the trade sticks, both teams open up the 2017-18 season against each other.

Ranked Matchups Highlight Week 1 College Football Matchups

College football is back. Opening weekend is here. Last season Clemson defeated Alabama for the National Championship. They were joined in the 4 team playoff by the Washington Huskies and Ohio State Buckeyes respectively. We're into late August and the 2017-18 college football season is underway. Alabama vs. Florida State on September 2 is on deck. Pre season #1 vs. #3 in Atlanta at the new Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. The next day on September 3, down at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland the Big 12 takes on the ACC. #22 West Virginia vs. #21 Virginia Tech. Saturday afternoon September 2nd at AT&T Stadium their is a Big Ten / SEC battle. #11 Michigan vs. #17 Florida. Those are the best ranked non conference matchups coming up to start the season.

Adidas Coming To The NHL

Out with Reebok, in with Adidas. The newly expansion Las Vegas Knights won't be the only new thing to arrive in the NHL during the 2017-18 season. Adidas will make NHL uniforms for teams throughout the league. The announcement was made in Las Vegas earlier this summer during the National Hockey League Awards ceremony / expansion draft for the Knights.

Nike Time In The NBA

Move over Adidas, their apparel partnership with the NBA is over. Nike is set to take over for the 2017-18 NBA season. In 2012 Nike begin to make all 32 NFL team uniforms. Now they will do the same in the National Basketball Association. Now home teams can choose uniforms besides just the traditional home white. Once the home team makes their selection, the road team will adjust their selections accordingly. Home uniforms, away uniforms, alternate uniforms and historical uniforms will be in play for all teams. The feel will be different. The look with be different. The design even if slight, will be different. Can't wait to see them in live and in living color !

Everyone's In On Mayweather/McGregor = Big Business

Saturday August 26 Floyd Mayweather will take on Connor McGregor. Boxer vs. MMA in an actual boxing contest. T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada will be the site. Earlier this year an article written by our blog Sports247365 didn't believe this bout would take place. We still aren't personal fans of this fight, however we see the picture. It's about dollars and cents. McGregor has an opportunity to earn more in one night, than in his entire MMA career. Mayweather of course is promoting this fight and the big pay day will continue. Showtime obviously is promoting the fight via pay per view. They are linked in a partnership with CBS. Now Fox who has a partnership with UCF will broadcast the under card. Hence everyone being in on it. It's a win/win for all businesses involved. Who knows what to expect on 8/26/17 besides money being made.

USA Win Gold Cup 2017

Last Wednesday in Levi Stadium the United States defeated Jamaica 3-1 to win the 2017 Gold Cup. With the championship victory the United States men moved closer to qualifying for the World Cup. The World Cup takes place next year in Russia during the summer of 2018. Under head coach Bruce Arena the USA men have yet to lose a match. This team has a mixture of veteran and youth from a players standpoint. Hopefully team red white and blue can utilize this Gold Cup experience to spring board them to the World Cup and eventually make a run in Russia.

Fultz Throws Out 1st Pitch / Phillies Finish Month With A Win

Monday afternoon marked the final game on July for the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia took on the Atlanta Braves with a chance at a 4 game sweep. Philadelphia went on to defeat Atlanta by a 2-1 margin. For the first time this season Philadelphia finished a month with a winning record (13-12). The Phillies in terms of record has been one of the worst teams in baseball throughout the season. In June after a trade with Boston, Philadelphia selected University of Washington freshman Markelle Fultz with the first pick of the NBA Draft. Fultz threw out the first pitch prior to Monday afternoon game. It will be interesting to see if the Phillies can avoid a 100 loss season. Meanwhile the expectations are high for the Sixers.

Where Will Carmelo Land ?

Apparently Carmelo Anthony time in New York as a Knick is up. Phil Jackson is gone and Anthony appears to be the next to go. Currently the Knicks say trade talks are off. However both Anthony and the Knicks are bound to part ways. Simply a matter of when not if. Along with where. Cleveland was on the radar. Houston also was on the radar. That's the landing spot personally think would best fit Melo. He could join James Harden and newly acquired Rocket Chris Paul. With the 3 of them in Houston, a potential playoff series against the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors could go the distance. As long as he can stay healthy, when it comes to offense Melo Anthony can still score the basketball in multiple ways.

25 Years Ago The Dream Team Dominated Barcelona On + Off The Court

The year was 1992. It was the summer between 5th and 6th grade. I resided in the University City section of West Philadelphia. I can recall taking Amtrak with my grandmother for the 1st time. That trip was to visit cousins from Philadelphia who recently moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. The 1992 Summer Olympics were in Barcelona, Spain. As an eleven year old kid I was fascinated with the group of basketball players known as the Dream Team. They obviously dominated on the basketball court in route to a Gold Medal. However off the court these guys took Barcelona by storm. They were larger than life. Just from the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. However Charles Barkley led the team in scoring. Yet off the court he and his teammates took in one of Spain most beautiful cities. These guys were like rock stars, they couldn't stay in the Olympic Village. Despite that you'd see players around town enjoying the experience. Here we are 2017, 25 years removed from those Olympic Games and only a year removed from the Rio 2016 Olympics. You had to see it to believe it in terms of the 1992 Dream Team pop culture.

American League Playoff Spots Up For Grabs

Hours away from August 1. As this article is being written, this is the day of the non waiver trade deadline for Major League Baseball. In the American League the current division leaders are : New York up 1/2 game on Boston in the East. Cleveland 2 games up over Kansas City in the Central. Meanwhile out West the Astros hold a 16 game lead over the Mariners. Now lets get to the AL Wild Card standings. Boston and Kansas city are both narrowly Wild Card leaders. There are 6 additional teams within 2.5-7 games back on a Wild Card berth. Also in the AL East and AL West those two divisions appear to be in the balance with 2 full months of regular season baseball left to be played. Maybe barring a collapse in Houston, from an American League standpoint everything else is up for grabs. Teams will continue to jockey for position for an opportunity to play some October baseball.

George Headed To OKC / Paul Headed To Houston

The chase for the Golden State Warriors is on, in the Western Conference. Over the past week Oklahoma City made a trade to land Paul George from Indiana. Meanwhile in Houston a sign and trade was in the works as Chris Paul is leaving the Clippers for the Rockets. Oklahoma City finished 6th in the West this past season. Houston finished 3rd in the West. Houston eliminated OKC in the first round. Then the Spurs eliminated the Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. How much closer does it make either team closer to the Warriors ? Will either move actually challenge the NBA Champions out West ? For the Thunder, have to keep in mind PG13 is in the final year of his contract. Westbrook could become a free agent in 2018 as well. Meanwhile for veteran Chris Paul who has never appeared in a conference finals, the time is ticking.

Sixers Trade Up To Number One Draft Markelle Fultz

For the second straight year the Philadelphia 76ers had the first pick overall selection in the NBA Draft. Last year Philadelphia won the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery and selected Ben Simmons from LSU. During the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery Philadelphia finished 3rd overall. With the Lakers at 2 and the Celtics at 1. However GM Brian Colangelo was able to switch picks during the 2017 NBA Draft along with future picks with Boston GM Danny Ainge. Philadelphia went on to make University of Washington freshman combo guard Markelle Fultz the number one overall pick in 2017. Fultz will team up with the likes of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric. Philadelphia fan base has some excitement with all these young players in place.

Westbrook Accepts MVP Award With Teammates On Stage

The first player to average a triple double for an entire season since Oscar Robertson, has captured the 2016-17 NBA MVP award. Last week in New York City the NBA hosted their first ever award show. Taking a page from the NFL Honors as well as the NHL Awards. Westbrook averaged 31.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg and 10.4 apg. Oklahoma City finished 6th in the Western Conference. OKC was eliminated by Houston, who were led by MVP candidate James Harden. Russell Westbrook had his teammates join him on stage, as he made his acceptance speech. Shortly after the NBA Awards show OKC acquired Paul George from Indiana. Keep in mind PG13 is entering his final year of his contract, ditto for Brodie.

KD Captures Finals MVP

Golden State face Cleveland for the 3rd straight year in the NBA Finals. Warriors won in 2015. Cavaliers won in 2016. Warriors are standing victorious in 2017. Kevin Durant formerly of the Seattle Supersonics / Oklahoma City Thunder came to the Bay in July 2016. Following the Warriors Game 7 loss after possessing a 3-1 series lead. At the time Durant and the Thunder also held a 3-1 series lead vs. Golden State only to lose the Western Conference Finals in 7. Fast forward to the 2017 NBA Finals Kevin Durant was literally the Ultimate Warrior. Here's a run down of his numbers during the 5 game series : 35ppg, 8rpg and 5apg. He also shot 55% from the field, 47 % from deep and 92 % from the line. What's next for KD and Golden State this summer ? We shall see.

James All Tripled Out During The Finals

Through 5 games on the 2017 NBA Finals Lebron James final stat line was : 33ppg, 12 rpg and 10 apg. Becoming the first player to average a triple double throughout the NBA Finals. Cleveland fell short in their quest to bring back to back NBA titles to Ohio. James even shot 56% from the field. The unfortunate part of his NBA Finals stat line is the 64% from the free throw line. Probably the Golden State Warriors up and down style of play played a part in James limited scoring, in 4th quarters during the series. It will be interesting to see what moves Lebron James make this summer. It will be also interesting to see what moves the Cleveland Cavaliers organization make this summer as well.

Penguins Win Back To Back Cups

In Pittsburgh they are partying like it is 1992. Back then the Penguins went back to back. Winning the Stanley Cup in consecutive years following the 1991 and 1992 seasons respectively. Fast forward to Nashville, Tennessee on Monday night, where the Penguins eliminated the Predators. The 2-0 Game 6 victory gave Pittsburgh a 4-2 series win. Which also cemented back to back Stanley Cup titles for Sidney Crosby and the organization. Crosby has won his 3rd Stanley Cup thus far in his career. It is the 5th Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history. Nashville made a tremendous run throughout the playoffs and simply came up short. The fans their should be applauded as well as the team. The Predators could have easily folded following a 0-2 series deficit.

New Field Soldier During NBA Finals Game 2

Lebron James triple double in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, wasn't enough to rescue the Cavaliers from an 0-2 series deficit vs. Golden State. However James debuted a black colorway of his new Field Soldier sneaker. This addition adds one additional strap compared to the ones he wore last season. James wore last years version in Game 7 in Oracle Arena. Where Cleveland won their first NBA title. Less than an hour prior to writing this article, James wore an orange and black colorway of the Kobe XI. He did that at practice while preparing for Game 3 on Wednesday.