James Harden’s “Year Of The Dragon” adidas Shoes Receives Golden Detailing

James Harden’s seventh signature sneaker looks to be the first adidas player model to get the Chinese New Year treatment this year.

Continuing a tradition that began with the bearded one’s fourth model, the Harden Vol. 7‘s standout feature is a quilt-patterned upper in golden embroidery with square-on-square stitching that attempts to achieve a 3-D effect. Screen-printed iconography on the medial mid-sole call in even more cultural references to the Year of the Dragon. In comparison to the more ornately designed Chinese New Year designs, which typically feature reds and golds, adidas Hoops opts for a much more subtle approach, relying more on the aforementioned stitch patterns.

After a rough start to season, Harden’s Los Angeles Clippers have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, rising to the 4 seed in the NBA’s western conference. Keep an eye out as Harden may potentially wear these against Ja Morant and the rejuvenated Grizzlies on December 29th, which is when the shoes officially drop in China.

It’s likely that other adidas athletes, such as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, to follow suit with their own unique editions in honor of the occasion.

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