Kevin Durant, the NBA’s reigning MVP may be done with the season but he’s still making an impact in the form of his latest shoe – the KD7. Nike and Kevin had a little collab design session to create the seventh signature shoe for one of the NBA’s most dynamic stars. Let’s take a look.
The Mission
Durant teamed with Nike designer Leo Chang to create the KD7. No small feat considering the success of the KD6 – Durant’s favorite shoe to-date and the model he wore in his MVP season. Chang’s mission – should he choose to accept it – was for the KD7 to provide Durant with the quickness and flexibility of a point guard, but the stability and support in a shoe designed for a power forward.
Mission accomplished. Chang succeeds with this “best of both worlds” design challenge by using seamless forefoot mesh, dynamic Nike Flywire technology and encapsulated Nike Zoom in the front of the shoe. Chang combines Hyperposite support in the heel with a newly developed visible Nike Zoom Air bag for responsive cushioning.
Durant Looks Toward Home
KD’s childhood interest in pursuing a career as a meteorologist inspired the previous incarnations of the shoe. The theme makes another appearance with the KD7.
The KD7 colorway narrative begins with lightning, but also also builds on KD’s insight of wanting to be lightning-quick. We here at ‘LLERO are betting men so were pretty sure that Durant’s team name – the Thunder – also played a part in the look.
A silhouette of his home state of Maryland is embedded on the outsole; and the forefoot strap includes the names of his mother Wanda, his grandmother Barbara, his father Wayne and his brother Tony. Despite all Durant’s accomplishments, you gotta love the nod to his roots.
