Nike Basketball unveiled its lineup of special edition colorways that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant will be rocking for All-Star weekend in New Orleans. As always, the colors and patterns of the 2014 NOLA Gumbo League Collection were inspired by the city hosting the celebratory midseason exhibition.
From the official release:
“Nike Basketball is paying tribute to the unique flavor of New Orleans with the 2014 NOLA Gumbo League Collection, including three shoes: LEBRON 11, KOBE 9 Elite and KD VI. A “gumbo” in the cultural sense, New Orleans is an eclectic mix of characters, music, cuisine and art.”
LEBRON 11 GATOR KING
“Inspired by the fearsome alligator, the king of the bayou, the LEBRON 11 Gator King is a bold expression of royalty and power. Gators, often a symbol of protection in New Orleans culture, influence graphic textures throughout the shoe. Invisible to the naked eye, hand-drawn patterns come to life as the Hyperposite bucket of the shoe glows in the dark. The musings of majestic color in deep purples, greens and gold are derived from the “Rex” - king of carnival celebrations.”
KOBE 9 ELITE MAESTRO
“Nike Basketball pays tribute to the masters of Jazz in its birthplace. Like great jazz musicians who play instinctively, Bryant brings a similar improvisation to his game. Paying homage to this classic genre and some of its greatest musicians, the KOBE 9 Elite Maestro uses accents of brass in the upper. A glow-in-the-dark outsole pops at night, just as the jazz clubs swing into action. The upper includes additional, secret glow-in-the-dark symbols.”
KD VI ILLUSION
“Not everything is what it first appears to be in New Orleans. Similarly, Durant defies the perception of a near seven-footer – an illusion of sorts. His limitless scoring range is redefining the perception of a forward. Celebrating the magic of KD’s versatility, the KD VI Illusion showcases hand-drawn patterns on the upper emulating Durant’s fluidity on the court. A glow-in-the-dark outsole also represents the “spark” of KD’s game.”
All three models will be released at select retailers on Feb. 14. Check out the full gallery of images below, and let us know which is your favorite in the comments.