Nike Basketball didn’t make any outright predictions about the way this lockout-shortened NBA season’s playoffs would turn out, but even putting memories of MVPuppets aside, we can’t help but notice that these new Nike Zoom Kobe VII iDs do indeed form a ‘final four’ with direct correspondence to teams active in this year’s postseason. A black-soled take on the Lakers-colored edition Kobe himself wore in the first round matchup against Denver represents Showtime, but an orange and blue pair with black and white accents could prove a suitable match for the New York Knicks or even the Laker-vanquishing Oklahoma City Thunder. Bulls and Spurs round out this set that might have gotten the West Finals right without even trying, and you can see more photos of all four of these sample designs before you head to NIKEiD to create your own ‘Poison Dart Frog’ Zoom Kobe 7 iD.
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What happens when you smash together all the crazy animal influences that have been thrown on the Nike Zoom Kobe VII since its lifespan begin with that Cheetah styled Christmas pair? You get this zoo of a sneaker, the latest product of Nike’s extended interest in the whole ‘What the…” theme. With so many sneakers crammed into one, the two differing shoes ooze detail, from the separate beastly prints running the length of the upper to the colorful treatment on the inner lining. Stay with us after the jump for a full look at the Nike Zoom Kobe VII ‘What the Kobe’ and keep your fingers crossed for info on a retail release soon. Photos: Sneaker Freaker
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The Second Round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs is mid-way through and we’ve already seen an impressive library of sneakers from the games biggest stars and even the lesser-known sneakerhead ballers. The two names to highlight this weekend are both from Los Angeles – Kobe Bryant and young swingman Nick Young of the Clippers; Kobe shed ‘Elite’ by wearing a White/Purple/Green PE of the Nike Zoom Kobe VII, which he followed with the Nike Zoom Kobe VII ‘Christmas’, but Nick might’ve done him one better by wearing the Air Foamposite One ‘Royal’ during Sunday’s match-up against the Spurs, which followed an unprecedented appearance of the Nike Air Zoom Generation in the ‘First Game’ colorway. Of course, there’s much more to see, like Eric Bledsoe’s Metallic Red Foams, LeBron’s Black/Gold Elites, and Paul George’s sick Fade Option Kobe VII iD, so check it all out below and let us know who rocked the best kicks! Photos: espn
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Down 2-0, but the Series shifts back to Los Angeles. Laker nation, does Kobe have what it takes to lead his team to a comeback and possibly tie the series in the next two games? Game 3 tips off tonight at the Staples Center, so hopefully a win will have you back on the Kobe VII wagon as the Concord/Cool Grey drops tomorrow at Nike Basketball retailers. There are still a few more Kobe VIIs to go, like the Blue/Red Poison Dart Frog, the ‘What The Kobe’, and the wild ‘Leopard’ joints, but if you like the more subdued, team-based colorways, these are the perfect selection for casual basketball. Hit up your local Nike Basketball retailer tomorrow, or cop a pair right now from yellownsxt on eBay.
Nike Zoom Kobe VII
Concord/White-Cool Grey-Del Sol
488371-402
05/19/12
$140
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Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers head back to Staples Center down 0-2 against the impressive Oklahoma City Thunder. After a blowout in game 1, the Lakers were able to accomplish their goal of slowing the young Thunder’s transition game last night, but a seven-point lead proved one too few with two minutes to play and Mike Brown is now back to the drawing board. Kobe himself switched things up between the first two games, and now it’s your choice if you want to utilize the NIKEiD online customization platform to create a playoff PE for yourself based on Bryant’s own. This pair pictured above goes with the same ‘Lightbulb’-leaning color scheme Kobe rocked for the first OKC tip; will you go with the ‘Attack Strong’ insert as depicted, or ‘Attack Fast’ like the Mamba himself?
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Kobe will need to bounce back against the Thunder for Game 2 if he wants to keep this series competitive because thus far, the Thunder have the Lakers outmatched in almost every category. But don’t underestimate the Black Mamba, who has demonstrated a killer instinct and can become one of the most unstoppable forces from time to time. Kobe’s been bouncing back and forth between the Kobe VII Supreme and the higher-grade Elite in the Playoffs, but perhaps he’ll go with this Saturday’s release of the Concord/Cool Grey to mix it up a bit. The Lakers are indeed in dire need for some change, so hopefully a wardrobe change is all Kobe needed to get a different outlook on the game. More of this colorway below, so take a look and expect them this Saturday at Nike Basketball retailers like Social Status or right now on eBay.
Nike Zoom Kobe VII
Concord/White-Cool Grey-Del Sol
488371-402
05/19/12
$140
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Of the lengthy sneaker-design process, the Wear-Test stage is a make-or-break affair; it doesn’t matter if the shoe looks amazing – if it doesn’t perform to the standards of the athlete, it’s back to the drawing board for the design crew. Of course, a lot of elements from a sneaker’s predecessor is carried on, but when looking at the progress of Kobe V to VI, the most notable change is the enlarged heel-cup – perhaps Kobe needed a bit more stability in that area for when he makes his daring cuts sand drives to the hoop. This Wear-Test sample of the Nike Zoom Kobe VI shows the sneaker free of any structural support – just the snake-skin TPU shell and the stencil-pained Swoosh on the upper, and the a solid one-piece midsole without the design ridges and the heel Zoom chamber. With the minimalistic appeal of this sample, the Kobe VI almost looks like a funky lifestyle shoe rather than one that was made on court, but credit Eric Avar for bringing street style and basketball sense into one cohesive unit. A gallery awaits you below, so take a look and cop this sample now from identitiesrevealed on eBay.
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It was a tough going for Laker Nation yesterday evening as the OKC Thunder came out firing on all cylinders, closing out Game 1 by a margin of 29 points. Kobe will need to channel the seventh step of the KobeSystem to move the Lakers onto the Western Conference Finals, so let’s hope he continues bringing out the sick PEs, like his Yellow/Black Kobe VII Supreme (reminiscent of the Kobe VI ‘Lightbulb’) last night; just a few hints of red and you’ve got a legit take on the Bruce Lees (that seriously need to come back, doesn’t it?). More of Kobe and his Game 1 PEs after the jump (as well as some close-up shots) so take a look and let us know what you think. Photos: espn
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