The Revolution

In 1984, Michael Jeffries Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as the #3 pick. It’s hard to think that MJ was picked #3, ahead of him Hakeem Olajuwon (#1 by the Houston Rockets) and Sam Bowie (#2 by the Portland Trailblazers). It can justifiably be said that Houston and Chicago benefited from their choices and Portland was, well, left in the dust. However, it was not the 1984 NBA draft that is the revolution in this piece. In 1985, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own sneaker line, the Air Jordan. Michael wore the red and black Air Jordan I, this color combination broke league uniform rules, and Michael was fined for every game he wore them, which Nike happily footed the bill for. The Air Jordan I was banned from the NBA, however, Nike’s and Michael’s decision to pay the fine instead of hanging up the “banned” shoes paid of for both. The sneaker revolution began.

This move by the NBA garnered attention not only on Mike but on the sneaker itself. The publicity sky-rocketed the popularity of the sneaker. Although for the time it was an expensive shoe, at about $80, it did okay. At times one could find it on clearance racks for as low as $19.99, now the original Air Jordan I, fetches between $400-$700, depending on condition. The Air Jordan line revolutionized sneakers not only because of the impact on the culture but on the technological aspect as well. The Air Jordan line was one of the first to take player input into its design, making it truly a shoe for the athlete. The Air Jordan line from its inception has been the trend setter in design, style and technology. Mike’s shoes were one of the first to feature some of today’s most popular technologies, Air, Zoom Air, Carbon Fiber Plates, I.P.S. Pods. However, throughout the last few years and models, XVIII, XIX, XXI, XXII have lacked. Nothing new has really been done to separate the Air Jordan line from the rest. It is safe to say that the revolution stopped with the AJ XVIII (although the XX brought it back for a bit), however, the new Kobe line picks up where the Jordan line left off.

From Kobe’s first Nike shoe, the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 (was to be, however, due to legal troubles, the sneaker was re-named), Nike revolutionized sneakers again. The Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 featured a very simple design, with advanced tech. The 2K4, was a simple one piece upper, staying true to the Nike Huarache design of 1992, with a strap across the ankle, a plastic heel counter, full length Zoom Air and a carbon

fiber plate. This minimalistic approach translated into a light, stable, low-to-ground, cushioned, shoe. This was one of the first designs by Nike for basketball that wasn’t bulky, the 2K4, what from sight seemed like an ankle mutilator due to the lack of cushioning around the ankle, did the exact opposite. The strap more than compensated for the lack of cushioning. Nike would follow up with the second shoe in the line the Air Zoom Huarache 2K5, which took the best of the 2K4 and updated it a little. A little heavier than the 2K4, the 2K5 performed just as great as the 2K4, adding a heel counter to the sole which added to greater stability and incorporated Nike Free groves (added flexibility but not truly Free). These were the first steps to the new revolution.

The Air Zoom Kobe II Ultimate (Black/Maize)

In 2006, Nike finally released the first shoe to officially bear Kobe’s name, the Air Zoom Kobe I (which should be the Air Zoom Kobe III). The AZKI was a safe step into the official Kobe line in my opinion. Nike took the best of the 2K4 and 2K5 and mixed it into one sneaker. No major new technology was featured in the shoe. It included, Zoom Air, Nike Free inspired groves, and ankle collar, was lightweight and had a low-to-ground feel. Although it featured many oldies but goodies the addition of the Nike Free inspired groves and low-to-ground feel awarded it the Best Performing sneaker for 2006. Although it does feature the Nike Free groves like the 2K5, on the AZKI the groves are more evident as it is noticeable in the flexibility of the sneaker. One of the major accomplishments that the sneaker achieved, which had not been achieved since the Air Jordan XIV, was the low to ground feel. Many players loved the fact that the shoe felt really close to the ground, providing better support, traction, and greater feel for stops, cuts, slashes, dashes, etc. Like the AJ I the AZKI also made its way to clearance racks from $130 to $34.99 and in some instances $29.99 (Blackouts), due to Nike’s ridiculous over-production of the AZKI, at about 5 million units. The AZKI put its foot into the pool of the sneaker revolution; the Air Zoom Kobe II would take the full body dive into it.

The Air Zoom Kobe II Strength (Orca Colorway)

The Nike Air Zoom Kobe II (should be the Air Zoom Kobe IV), simply took basketball shoes and technology to a level that had never been seen before. Designed by Ken Link, which many know for being the main designer for the Lebron line, the AZKII defied what a basketball was to be like. First of, the Kobe II line consists of three models, yes you read right, three models, the Ultimate, the Strength and the Lite. Kobe’s specifications/demands were simple, more flexibility, less layers (the AZKI consisted of about 3-4 layers), lighter, lower to the ground, better cushioning. What were delivered were true Nike Free, one layer upper, 15oz weight, a heel that measured 8mm at forefoot and 18mm at heel, and Zoom Air with Free (kixandthecity.com, Kobe II Summit Part III). What all this means is that Nike produced a lightweight shoe that provided unprecedented flexibility while maintaining cushioning and support. To truly understand this, one must understand what Nike Free is. Nike Free is a technology that allows the foot to move in its natural motion as if it were barefoot. Most Nike Free products are geared for the running community; with flexibility one thing that has lacked is cushioning which explains the levels of free, 1.0-barefoot no cushioning, to 7.0 more cushioning less flexibility.

The Air Zoom Kobe II Lite (Due out in October)

The Air Zoom Kobe II features Nike Free and Zoom Air, something that had never been before in any basketball shoe. Walking and playing in the AZKII is a different experience. I remember the first time I wore mine I felt as if I was walking on a very unstable surface due to the fact that I could feel the floor in certain parts of my foot, I could not be more wrong, the stability is amazing. Along the Free groves, one can feel the floor, yet the cushioning is still there. The AZKII features motion pods along with true Nike Free groves, these pods provide amazing traction, support and comfort while the Free groves provide the flexibility and the one with the court feel everyone wants. When I say you can feel the floor when you cut I literally mean it. This is something that all 3 models share. The Ultimate is the first model, which features everything demanded, along with a considered upper with diamond shapes (for Kobe’s daughter, Diamante) which provides for a breathable and cool shoe. I can say that wearing these sneakers in 90 degree heat and South Florida humidity with 2 black socks was nothing, my foot didn’t even break a sweat. The Ultimate also features one strap for extra lockdown and an inner sock. The Strength is much like the Ultimate, with the exception of a full leather upper and two straps. The Strength also features an inner sock, the upper doesn’t provide the same breathability as the Ultimate, however the inner ribbed sock, yes ribbed, makes up for it, the second strap across the foot allows for extra lockdown. The Lite is to weigh between 13-14 oz. and features the same tech. as the other two models. The Lite has no strap and is expected to released in October.

Bonus Pic: Strength's (Orca's) and Ultimates Together

With that said it is evident that the Kobe line has revolutionized basketball sneakers much like the Jordan line 22 years ago. The 2K4 began the new revolution and the AZKII has taken it to a level never seen before. One only knows where the AZKIII (aka AZKV) will take it…and the AZKIV (aka AZKVI, already in the works…remember people development starts about 12-18 months before release).