John Kim 
Today, Nike Basketball unveils the 2014 Christmas Collection, which will officially release at select retailers on December 26th. Featured in this set of exciting footwear, which will be worn by the Big Three during the high-profile Christmas Day games, is the LeBron 12, Kobe 9 Elite, and KD 7, each designed with a distinct holiday theme. The LeBron 12 takes on a camouflage-print approach, featuring birch trees indigenous to the Akron landscape. The KD 7 portrays a cream white and warm orange tone, adapting a seasonal eggnog vibe, and thirdly, the Kobe 9 Elite showcases a traditional aesthetic with inspiration taken from candy canes and knit holiday stockings with a special “Mamba’s Greetings” on the inner face of the tongue. Grab a detailed look below and stay tuned to Sneaker News for more Nike Basketball release info as we enter into 2015.
Nike LeBron 12
Color: Emerald Green/Hyper Punch-Dark Emerald
Style Code: 707558-363
Release Date: 12/26/14
Price: $220
The LEBRON 12 was developed to meet James’s performance needs based on research from the Nike Sport Research Lab. Nike Zoom Air technology is brought to a new level on this shoe. The emerald green base combines with the shoe’s photorealistic camouflage upper on the Hyperposite shell. The camo pattern is inspired by Akron, Ohio’s winter weather and includes a birch tree pattern. Black and Hyperpunch micro dots integrate into the camo pattern for a seasonal touch. A notable subtlety of this shoe is the snowflake formed by small hexagons on the tongue loop.
Nike Kobe 9
Color: Bright Crimson/Black-White
Style Code: 630847-600
Release Date: 12/26/14
Price: $225
Designed to the specifications of Bryant’s fluid style of play, the KOBE 9 is the first basketball shoe to feature Nike Flyknit technology. The KOBE 9 gets a festive makeover highlighting its knitted aesthetic with a red and white Flyknit upper, taking inspiration from a knit stocking. Supple leather textures on the tongue and overlays give the shoe a premium feel, accented by a marbled outsole resembling candy canes. Inside, the shoe reads “Mamba’s Greetings,” a hidden detail from Bryant on the inner tongue.
Nike KD 7
Color: Bright Crimson/Ivory-Emerald Green
Style Code: 707560-613
Release Date: 12/26/14
Price: $170
Driven by a design philosophy to stay light and locked down during sharp cuts, the KD 7 features dynamic Flywire technology, Hyperposite construction and Zoom Air cushioning. The shoe continues to bring Durant’s personal stories to life – this time paying tribute to his favorite holiday beverage, egg nog. A red Hyperposite heel integrates glossy flecks emulating the condensation on a glass of egg nog. “Fresh Since ’88,” Durant’s birth year, emblazons the shoe’s sock liner as a tribute to the holiday beverage Durant has enjoyed since childhood.
