Qhis year has been the opposite of what we are used to in the NBA. This was outplayed by this year’s All-star Game. Not to say it wasn’t entertaining, but it sure lacked some of the star power and large names we’re used to. Injuries to big names and first-rate talent like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and rising star Paul George, have left a void in the thrill and lure of the NBA season.
This lack of star power also translates to the world of sneakers. In my opinion this year’s Nike signature line was less than stellar. Compared to Kobe’s 9, the 10 is very average, as it looks rushed and without Bryant wearing it on the court. The KD7 is better and has a solid silhouette, but the colorway undermines its potential. LeBron 12 in some people’s minds is more interesting than 11. For those people I countered with the now famous Russell Westbrook interview. The 12 does not have much flare for the shoe and it knocked me out. I personally own at least 10 pairs of LeBron 11s; at most I would invest in 4 of 12s.
I remember prior to release, lots of pictures released of potential LeBron 12 schematics; and lots of them make lots of people interested in the shoe’s potential. I was very sad to see NONE of those renders released, or even an option to build on NikeID. All decent colorways come from recycled themes; Wheat 12 = Wheat Zoom Generation, Double Helix = Crown Jewels 10, Low Entourage 12 = Entourage 8, Elite 12 “Elevate” = Birthday 4/HWC 7/8; and Lebronald Palmers were PEs in the past. I have a feeling that while it is serviceable, the 12 will absolutely go into the never-retro shoe vault after LeBron goes retro.
I’m talking about Nike mainly because it is honestly all you really care about. Adidas, who possibly won the overall race at the moment, makes basketball shoes particularly for the court and for the court only. Actually their “Easter Pack” which I believe suggests a dope D Lillard 1 would have been a solid release, but the shoe never made it to retailers. Jordan’s signature hasn’t been consistently impressive in terms of the current talent roster; and while he may have just won MVP (Steph Curry), nobody checks out Under Armor shoes for a fashion statement. Nike is even trying to tuck in a new signature line for the Kyrie, which has potential with some of the quirks I saw from the Mache, but is in fact a shoe for the court, too.
I do not think this is a coincidence to be honest. This year talent was unable to display, promote or create hype around their shoes, and so we as consumers have had weaker releases. I hope this is just a rare off season for Nike with his signature, but the recent KD8 leak does not have my hopes up too high for the future…
