Matt Varga It wasn’t long ago that the future of Kyrie Irving shoes was very much in flux. The superstar PG’s sneaker free agency post-Nike took one of the most dependable players in basketball shoes off the board entirely for several months. Jump under a year later, Irving’s footwear world is only seemingly growing, as the success of his ANTA KAI 1 has been spun off into not one but two offshoot models. While those “.5” steps are noteworthy in their own right, we’re getting a look at the earnest next steps. Irving suited up in what’s presumed to be the ANTA KAI 2 against the Thunder.
Just from first glance, it’s a much more streamlined build, following in the footsteps of the ANTA KAI 1 Speed. Rather than the curvy design language of its predecessor, this early build of the KAI 2 relies on jagged line-work, highlighted by triangular insets on the midsole that extend herringbone traction onto the toe and into the midfoot. The mesh composition is also swapped to leather and synthetics, removing the glyph-like patterns defining the KAI 1. In their place, floral motifs appear on the heel and at the quarter, the latter interpreting the ANTA logo in abstract, embroidered fashion.
Note that given Irving’s leadership role with the brand, his responsibilities extend beyond that of a typical signature athlete. To that point, #11 has showcased early builds of upcoming models in the past, including showcasing a different version of this exact silhouette during training camp. Pay close attention to those same triangular insets towards the forefoot to see why this is still a shoe in flux.
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- ANTA KAI 2 Prototype @mavs
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- ANTA KAI 2 Prototype @mavs
While international brands often aren’t beholden to the same traditional release schedule, ANTA has followed a yearly cadence for releasing their other signature lines (Klay Thompson is the premier example.) Given that, don’t expect to see the ANTA KAI 2 hitting the market for at least a few months, with the year anniversary of the ANTA KAI 1 placed in March. For now, check out our best look yet up top for a preview of what’s to come.
Closer on the release schedule, we’re continuing to track the Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue” as a focal point of the season.
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