Matt Varga Can you be part of one of the greatest dynasties in sports history and still be underrated? It’s a question that NBA fans have grappled with constantly this decade, as The Last Dance dredged up Bulls history once again and the overall aftershocks of the Bulls dynasty have placed Scottie Pippen’s career under the microscope. It’s almost without question that Pip was underpaid, even if his contributions are appropriately appreciated. Another realm where we’d assign some miscalculation is when it comes to footwear. It’s hard to ever go toe-to-toe with Air Jordan himself, but Scottie’s footwear legacy gets a high-profile moment via the Nike Air More Uptempo “Pip.”
The historians will know that you can functionally split Pippen’s tenure with Nike in two halves: one where he attached his on-court co-sign to the brand’s inline product, and one where he brought his own signature designs to the hardwood. Of the former category, his employment of the Nike Air More Uptempo might be some of his most iconic work, worn extensively throughout Chicago’s record-setting 72-10 season and during the 1996 Olympics. In the time since, the maximalist spell-out silhouette has gone on to itself become an integral part of the retro Basketball catalog, but aside from mentions in marketing campaigns and product description copy, we’ve never truly seen Scottie Pippen centered on the actual shoe.
That makes the Air More Uptempo “Pip” featured here a true watershed moment. The legendary “AIR” text on the lateral sides becomes a reversed “PIP” stamp, the physical geometry of the letters helping that change play out rather seamlessly. If you’re unconvinced by that branding change, look to the heel, where a script “P” represents Pippen’s second logo. An iridescent badge on the tongue rounds out this celebratory design.
The Nike Air More Uptempo “Pip” is expected to release on December 23rd, 2026 as part of the 30th anniversary celebration for the Nike Air More Uptempo.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Air More Uptempo
US 12/23/2026 Wednesday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS | Standard | Coming Soon |
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