And1 Japan EXCLUSIVE Empire Mids – Christmas CW (limited to 60 pairs only!)

[Shoe News – 11.21.11] – And1 Japan EXCLUSIVE Empire Mids – Christmas CW (limited to 60 pairs only!)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: And1 Creative Team / Rob Purvy (Executive Director)

This just in! Just got an email from And1 that Japan will be releasing an exclusive Christmas colorway of the And1  Empire Mids this week, and it will be so limited, there will only be 60 pairs available!

Quick background, Monta Ellis rocked a Christmas version of the ME8 Sovereign Mids (when the Golden State Warriors played the final game on Christmas day – a 109-102 win at home over the visiting Portland Trailblazers). During last year’s game, Monta dropped 39 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a block (stats courtesy of ESPN – click HERE for more).

As And1 Executive Director Rob Purvy puts it, this is “..an already proven and very critical/effective way to spread the brand message.”

I will get more info about the retail price and ordering details (I’m pretty much assuming some of these would make it to the And1 Japan online shop – click HERE, or you just might have to visit the And1 Fukuoka store – find them HERE or follow them on Twitter @and1fukuoka). For now, check out the images below for that exclusive pair.

Dang I wish I could be in Japan right now. Those pairs are sooo sick, and I want to cop a pair ASAP!

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph). Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com. And that’s the 411, And Juan.

The ME8 Empire Mid in RED is EN FUEGO!

[Shoe News – 11.8.11] - The ME8 Empire Mid in RED is EN FUEGO!

Inks & Images: FLASH

And1 Ph’s 8th of November article features the ME8 Empire Mid and its latest colorway to be locally released. I’ve actually previously posted a write-up about the And1 ME8 Empire Mid already from Monta Ellis’ signature line (click HERE for that post), and just recently, a red/white colorway of said silhouette has now reached Philippine retail.

Retailing for Php 5995, this new colorway now features a micro-fiber/suede material that joins the mesh upper that is designed to be “breathable, lightweight, and durable”. This red pair is to be used with utmost care outdoors. Suede is a pain in the a$$ to clean in case it gets wet and muddied, and if used for ballin’ outdoors, it would most certainly likely to get scruff marks as compared to its other TPU-topped releases (white/white/silver and black/black/gold). At first, I was so hyped up to cop a pair of red Empire Mids by Christmas season..but looks like I might have to give it some more consideration because of the upper suede material.

Still, using this lightweight pair for hooping is a huge advantage on the hardwood. You can get more than ample ankle support and cushioning because of its TPU cage (read: lateral stability), and you might want to consider changing its laces to pure white to give it more of a two-toned look (not to mention breaking the monotony of a pure red shoe with a barely visible white sole). Imagine slashing thru the opposing defenses in a pair of red shoes, and exploding to the hoop for a quick deuce or stopping on a dime for a pull up jumper. Yep, just like how Monta would.

Counterkicks also dropped an article about this colorway, check it out by clicking HERE.

So far there are already three CWs of the And1 ME8 Empire Mid available locally. Start building your empire NOW.

(Monta Ellis and the And1 ME8 Empire Mid grace the cover of Kicks #14 by SLAM Magazine)

Happy 26th birthday, Monta Ellis!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 10.26.11] – Happy 26th birthday, Monta Ellis!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / Gettyimages / And1.com)

And1 brand ambassador. 2007 NBA Most Improved Player. Pure scorer.

Current Golden State Warriors player Monta Ellis celebrates his birthday today, born October 26, 1985. One of the NBA's leader in minutes played for the 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 seasons, the player otherwise known as the Mississippi Bullet/Missile has shown significant improvement in each of his playing years, and swears that he'll be a much more lethal player this upcoming season (SLAM Kicks interview, 2011).

Since 2006, Monta has rocked And1 shoes and his kicksology includes the Wonder Mid, Disciple Mid, Onslaught Mid, plus a signature line that featured the ME8 Mid and ME8 Sovereign Mid, and the yet-to-be-worn in a NBA game, ME8 Empire Mid, among other silhouettes.

AND1 Ph greets one of the best pure scorers in the NBA on his special day. Check out the pics below of Monta wearing And1 shoes through the years, and click HERE to view some of his NBA highlights from the 2010-2011 season.

On a more personal note, I am still hopeful that Monta gets the respect that he deserves and makes it to the NBA All Star game soon. At 26, he can only get better. A more consistent long range shot with better rebounding and assists averages should seal the deal for this speed freak.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ME8!

Images of 2006:

Images of 2007:

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Images of 2010:

Images of 2011:

The And1 ME8 Empire Mid is FINALLY HERE!

[Shoe News – 09.26.11] - The And1 ME8 Empire Mid is FINALLY HERE!

Inks & Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Last month, I posted an article (click HERE) about the upcoming arrival of the Monta Ellis signature shoe, the And1 ME8 Empire Mid. True enough, two different colorways (White/White/Silver and Black/Black/Gold) are now available for purchase in your nearest And1 outlets/retailers for only Php 5995 since mid-September.

The And1 ME8 Empire Mid US site (click HERE) has posted a ton of colorways for the Ellis signature kicks and out of all of them, I’m still partial to the Varsity Red/White CW. Hopefully it gets to be released locally.

While I have yet to see Monta rockin’ these joints in-game (pending the NBA lockout), I’m already sold on the idea of acquiring a pair very soon. I’ve tried on a size 9 and it fits snugly. Can’t wait to use it on the hardwood. A little tip.. you might want to consider changing the laces to give the shoe an extra OOOMPH!

At first try, it is lightweight, and feels to be able to provide above-par ankle support and shock absorption needed by explosive guards that like to sprint, elevate, and detonate at the rim.Make sure you got a nice pair of socks to rock it with, as the design of the shoe looks good enough to be used outdoors for malling and just chilling out.

So now, how soon can you build your Empire collection?

(Monta Ellis and the And1 ME8 Empire Mid grace the cover of Kicks #14 by SLAM Magazine)

The And1 ME8 Empire Mid is going to hit local retail Very Soon!

[Shoe News – 08.10.11]

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls Images: And1.com & Solecollector.com (Hoopchina/Woody8)

Hey guys, just got official word that the And1 ME8 Empire Mid will soon reach Philippine shores as part of the Q3/Q4 2011 local releases.

Personally, I’m eyeing that varsity red CW given the heel design has the ME8 logo instead of the faceless And1 silhouette. That gives the model a little more distinction that makes you say “Yep, it’s a Monta Ellis pair alright!”.

For now, check out the lowdown from the official And1 site, or click HERE and HERE to read Solecollector’s previews of the upcoming ME8 Empire Mid.

Stay tuned to And1 Ph for more updates re: available colorways and price point of Monta’s new kicks (lock out or no lock out, these kicks are sure to drop).