The new "Art of a Champion" collection is a mash-up of title-winning sneakers old and new.
With the NBA playoffs fast approaching, Nike has set its sights on honoring some of the biggest, best, and most iconic playoff moments in the history of the game. Hoops fans know that it takes 16 wins to go from the first playoff game all the way to the championship trophy. So the Swoosh is unleashing—count 'em—16 sneakers, each of which symbolizes a career-defining moment for some of the biggest and most beloved Nike athletes of all time.
Starting this weekend, and running all the way throughout June, the “Art of a Champion” collection will offer up a range of sneakers that represent (as well as remix) historic game-time moments in Nike Basketball. It all starts on April 14 with a limited-edition version of the Nike Kobe 1 Protro (dubbed the “Final Seconds” model and adorned with his original number 8) and will end with a mysterious final shoe that will be determined by this year's NBA champion. Given the size of the collection (remember: 16!) there is something for everyone, no matter who your favorite team is—or if you prefer old-school kicks as opposed to tech-heavy new ones.
I mean, just look at this list: there’s the all-red Nike Air Maestro II “Trifecta” for Scottie Pippen, the black-and-gold Converse Chuck 70 Ox “30 and 40” for Bill Russell, the glossy white Nike Zoom KD IV “Battle Tested” for Kevin Durant, the white-and-charcoal Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 1 “25 Straight” for The King. And then, of course, the all-black (with that pop of Chicago Bulls red) "Last Shot" Air Jordan XIV for MJ himself. And while the majority of the sneakers are a nod to the past, one of the standout sneakers is one of Nike’s newest models: the Air Force 270, which comes in a glimmering gold, a tribute to the sought-after Larry O'Brien trophy awarded to the NBA champion.
That trophy may be the ultimate grail, but copping any one of these champion-inspired kicks is surely a close second. (Okay maybe not but these are still some really cool basketball shoes.) And luckily, whether you grew up watching Bill Russell and the Celtics in the 1960s or Kobe Bryant and the Lakers at the turn of the new millennium, there is probably an “Art of a Champion” sneaker for you. Head over to Nike for a full rundown of release dates.