LeBron James. Kobe Bryant. Kevin Durant. Those aren’t just the three biggest names in the game of basketball, but the players whose lines of footwear and apparel are among the most successful in sports. And whether or not he’s ready to join that esteemed trio on the floor, Kyrie Irving will be doing so off of it. In association with Facebook, Nike Basketball introduced the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star point guard as its latest signature athlete.
The next generation is here #KYRIE1. @KobeBryant, @KingJames & @KDTrey5 welcome @KyrieIrving to the family.https://t.co/s3pGD7HPO1
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) December 4, 2014
Kenny Smith hosted the event and was joined by former Nike endorsers Charles Barkley and Penny Hardaway. After a few minutes of chit-chat that extolled the virtues of being associated with the sports apparel giant, the old-timers welcomed Irving to the stage, unveiling his personalized logo and, eventually, signature sneaker.
Kenny Smith welcomes Charles Barkley and Penny Hardaway to the stage. WATCH: http://t.co/lX7MlAkohX pic.twitter.com/vL4OPFKV6B
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) December 4, 2014
Deceptively quick. The #KYRIE1. Available December 23. pic.twitter.com/fZ0ezJeUpU
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) December 4, 2014
Unprecedented traction with personalized colors & options. The #KYRIE1 @NIKEiD. Available now: http://t.co/QuAh6507Ey pic.twitter.com/elDLHTJw4L
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) December 4, 2014
Here are more detailed looks at Kyrie’s new shoes and logo:
Bottom of Kyrie shoe has his mother's name, when she was born & when she died pic.twitter.com/YsE0kEUdKt
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 4, 2014
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The Kyrie 1 will be available on December 23, but you can order a Nike iD version of these slick new kicks right now. We’d got on it. If these sneakers are anything like their namesake, they’ll definitely go very, very fast.
What do you think?
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