What a week it's been. The first full seven days of May brought us the 2014 NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Sixth Man of the Year announcements, tons of stellar Playoff action, the NFL draft, and much more. On the footwear front, new models were released and previewed, getting us hyped up for the season ahead. Jump into high gear as we take flight.
Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.
RELATED: This Week on Instagram: Run the World (Girls)
RELATED: This Week on Instagram: Push it to the Limit
"It's hard to capture the high-flying Kofi Kingston! #WWE #Smackdown"
Catch him if you can
"Running the Distance #NewtonRunning #HelloBetter"
Take a leap
"Congrats to my brother Jamal Crawford!!! Can't think of anyone who deserves it more...#6thMan"
Hard to earn
"See the full story behind this insane decent @jonessnowboards nailed #High in the Himalaya's up at www.TWSNOW.com PHOTO @andrew_miller @tetongravity #shangrilaexpedition #jjhigher"
Death defying
"Let's hear from our hurdlers! Picture submitted by @mmichaelpeterss #run #runner #running #crosscountry #xc #tracknation"
Over the hurdle
"what the Nike "Hero" basketball collection should've looked like @complexsneakers #superman #captainamerica"
Hero take two
"Getting up close with the Warrior Gambler II. Definitely plenty of modifications on this one!!"
No gambling problem here
"Visited @galacticgskateshop in Orlando today go see them if you need #newbalancenumeric in Florida. Top shop and a great selection of boards and anything else you need come rain or shine"
Wall full of goodies
"Bape is ready for the World Cup."
Hypebeast Cup 2014
"There are other sections throughout your 200 mile relay race where you'll have company... and weather to take in stride."
Rain or shine
"KD raises the #KiaMVP!"
Paid dues
"Yadi knows clutch."
Crucial in the clutch
"Detail of the sole unit from Westbrook's Player Exclusive #AJXX9 in tonight's game. Pretty fresh. Love the tone on tone colorway and that organic traction pattern is flawless."
Up close and personal
"Spotted Vincent Kompany wearing the new Warrior Skreamer Pro II tonight? What do you think of the new power-speed hybrid release? #warrior #skreamer"
Skream at me
"Mark Gonzales backside ollie on a volcano."
The legend erupts
"Had to finish the night off in these, those Brons were killing my feet. Socks are A1 though. #nightwingknows #weartesters"
Much needed switch
"Stronger with every stance."
Stretching out
"Sold Out before we pulled them out of the oven | #tbt #skytop4ever"
Fresh out of the factory
"Phenomenal football is only for the fearless. Show us how you #riskeverything."
Fan collage
"Great Start to the offseason program! #NoTime2Sleep"
@terrellpyror
Off-season work
"The stride we just had to have. Sensors at the Nike Sport Research Lab capture the precise motion of Kenyan world-class runner, Bethwel Birgen. By learning from the best, we can refine our understanding of natural motion, and create better, faster footwear for the runners of the world."
#innovation
"@mikeytaylor1 standing up on a stylish frontside noseslide in China. Photo by @blabacphoto #dcshoes #mikeytaylor #frontnose"
Mikey shreds
"Dropping tomorrow - the Hero Elite Series. More details in Sneaker Release Dates on Sneakernews.com"
"The machine of the hour: Pressing 32 customized rookie jerseys shortly. #NFLDraft"
Draft day behind the scenes
"Robin Lopez's hand drawn custom adidas that he wore earlier tonight. #kicksoncourt"
Best custom ever?
Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.RELATED: This Week on Instagram: Run the World (Girls)
RELATED: This Week on Instagram: Push it to the Limit