Kyrie Irving has checked a lot of boxes in his basketball career since joining the professional ranks when Cleveland drafted him in 2011. And while the current Brooklyn point guard can look around any arena and see jerseys and hats featuring his name and number, he need only look down to see many of those same folks may be wearing a Nike Kyrie signature sneaker, too.
Exploding from the jump
The Nike Kyrie 1 debuted Dec. 8, 2014, in a game at Brooklyn. Designer Leo Chang had developed the shoe to try to capture Kyrie’s speed and explosiveness. So the fact that the shoe debuted in a 110-88 victory in Brooklyn shine an appropriate light on the occasion.
Chang was going for three primary benefits when crafting Kyrie’s shoe; a testament to his story and playing style:
• Pinpoint responsiveness with Zoom Air in the forefoot
• Dynamic grip at extreme angles with tread that wraps up on the sidewalls
• Supportive breathability with a Hyperfuse upper for ultimate lockdown
Subsequent editions of the Nike Kyrie are variations on the theme. For example, the Kyrie 5 and 6 – both in stock at Footlocker.com – replace the lace lock of the 5 with a midfoot strap on the 6. The 5 was the only one with a lace lock, while the 2 and 6 were the only Kyries to feature straps.
And each shoe is built for color, whether it’s a complete color-up of the upper or more subtle as with the speckled midsoles of the 3 through 5 or the colored “KI” logo on the tongue.
Fun is in the game plan
While Kyrie has serious game, he works hard at having fun, too. In 2012, he starred in a soda marketing campaign as “Uncle Drew.” He and some fellow pro stars went in disguise as old ballers at the park, talking their way into a pickup game against some “young blood,” even stumbling around the court before getting red hot and exploding on their unsuspecting opponents. The venture led to a feature film that dropped in 2018, and he’s appeared – in person or as a voice – in episodes of three series.
Kyrie’s gear is available in sizes for men, women, and kids. So you can complete your look with that “KI” logo on a hoodie, a tee, or even some fresh, comfy socks.
Shop now and find your fit.
