Matt Varga With the Paris Olympics kicking off in just a matter of weeks, all eyes are on Team USA Basketball once again. As usual, the expectation is another gold medal, and the path to that prestigious honor started in Las Vegas. While the on-court chemistry between superstars like Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant and LeBron James will no doubt be the headline in most corners of the internet, we’re (of course) focused on footwear. The sheer star power that took the practice floor means there’s a ton to discuss, so without further ado…
LeBron James
With the LeBron 22 looming, these preliminaries and the actual heat of Olympics basketball will likely be the last time we see the LeBron 21 on court and the King’s choice was typically impressive. The same patriotic palette of course appears here, but the wrap-around layer that conceals the 21’s defining threaded upper reveals Olympic Safari print in reflective, sequin-like fashion.
Steph Curry
Under Armour’s premier signee made the biggest statement, granting a first look at the Under Armour Curry 12 in both a home & away colorway. The wavy design language of his line to date continues via the sole and a graphic print that outlines it on the upper. That section sports synthetic, zwart construction that enhances its inherent breathability with curved slits throughout. Obviously we can’t judge performance nor tech based on images alone, but we can expect additional details as we near the silhouette’s official unveiling. We can share that Under Armour is planning to launch the Curry 12 in limited fashion in August, with a wider release set for later in the Fall.
Kevin Durant
Team USA’s all time lead scorer first spotlighted a pair set for wide release, fittingly rocking the Nike KD 17 “Olympics” for the true “open practice” portion of the Vegas festivities. During the team photo shoot, he sported a pair we haven’t spotted before, carrying an abstract print on the Air Max Plus-inspired synthetic waves atop a navy base.
Kawhi Leonard
“Board Man” hooped in his recently unveiled Kawhi IV model, one of a select few New Balance basketball models and inarguably the top dog in that vein. What the Finals MVP laced up is visually very close to the “Transcend the Game” colorway that hit the market in late April, but expectedly, navy blue plays a much more important role in this patriotic edition.
Joel Embiid
The relationship between The Process and Sketchers is among the freshest on the US Basketball roster. While we’re still awaiting news of an Embiid signature shoe, his endorsement continues to add weight to the Sketchers SKX Float, adorned here in a navy-on-white colorway that sneaks vibrant red accenting in the very margins of its profile.
Anthony Edwards
Ant Man took the hardwood in a red, white & blue edition of his AE1 Low. Those tapped into our TEEN will know that there’s already a “Night Indigo” AE1 set to drop publicly. The one pictured is widely expected to stay in the vault, diverging with an all-white outer honeycomb cage. Nonetheless, it’s a synergistic moment for #5 to reach for the low-cut edition with the release cadence of his signature picking up once again.
Devin Booker
Though he’s got a penchant for standout PEs, Devin Booker stayed in a rather Basketball lane with his “Olympics” Book 1. A Team Bank-adjacent palette of red & white arrives atop a gum sole, adding the slightest bit of Nike SB sensibility underfoot.
Anthony Davis
The Brow embraced team chemistry with his kicks, supporting his Lakers running mate by donning the aforementioned LeBron 21. Though certainly one of the league’s biggest names, Davis is famously without a signature. Considering his love for Kobe shoes during the NBA season, expect a mix of Nike Basketball offerings once things tip off towards the end of July.
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While “new Kobes” is head-turning on its own merits, the palette at play with the Indiana Pacers PG’s exclusive colorways may not be super eye-catching- at first glance, that is. The true draw for the two “Home” and “Away” Kobe 4 Protro’s that Haliburton unboxed is the inescapable “Safari” print that continues to play a major role in publicly available Nike Olympics offerings.
Jrue Holiday
Boots BUNDGAARD Rie BG303197G Black Sky Sabrina 1 during its time on the shelf, sporting them more often than any other NBA player in the shoe’s inaugural season. Thus, it’s no shock that he stuck with one of his favorites, unveiling a brand-new outfit for the burgeoning Sabrina 2.
Bam Adebayo
The Heat’s All-Star center represented the GOAT but broke from the mold by eschewing a PE entirely. Adebayo rocked the Air Jordan 39 “Sol,” spotlighting a major Jumpman product offering coming in the very near future. The colorway was tipped off in brushed square-toe sandals, and is set to drop on August 9th.
Jayson Tatum
A late addition to this years’ practice, #0 continued to shine light on his Jordan Tatum 2, diverging from the eccentric looks his model tends towards in favor of a cleaned up, royal blue style.
Images provided by USAB.
