Okay… Nike has lost their mind. Either that or whoever put this list together clearly forgot about a ton of sneakers that were game changers in terms of performance and style throughout the years.
The KD IV is a mediocre performer on-court… I know a lot of people love the shoe but let’s face facts; it’s a reasonably priced shoe… that’s why people love it. In terms of actual on-court performance there are better performers available that are also better suited towards a wider variety of players, styles & foot shapes. On top of all that… this shoe JUST came out within the last year… how has it changed the game other than proving that all Nike needs to do is place ridiculous color options along the upper, make it limited as all hell and call it a day… instant sell-out.
This is day 19 out of 20… I don’t even want to know what number 20 is going to be… I’ll take a wild guess though; Nike Lunar Hyperdunk 2012.
“It’s about simply communicating the features of the shoe — everything has a purpose.”- Leo Chang
The signature shoe needs to reflect the athlete’s personality as well as his or her needs. Kevin Durant’s KD line has to encapsulate his remarkable versatility as well as his humble nature — confident without cockiness — resulting in designs made for all-around play and a complete range of motion. The Nike Zoom KD IV’s lead designer Leo Chang has worked with Durant since the start and sums up this shoe as “A shoe that’s stripped down to his essence — nothing more, nothing less.”
Nike is keeping pace with Kevin’s career with an evolving range of shoes that cater to him as he becomes increasingly more powerful and adds new skills to his arsenal. The Nike Zoom KD IV coincided with Durant’s new achievements and MVP status. Kevin’s main needs are simple, though. In an exchange with Leo, Durant exclaimed, “I want it light and I want it tight to my foot. That’s the key thing. Light and tight!”
As part of a silhouette that’s lower than before to give Kevin some extra freedom, versatile lockdown is embodied in the Nike Zoom KD IV’s key feature, the Adaptive Fit strap. Despite Durant’s request to go strap-free for this shoe, one glimpse at Leo’s design elicited a positive response. Functionally, the Adaptive Fit strap conforms to the arch, an area where KD has asked for added support because his arch is flatter.
There’s personal stories told in the Nike Zoom KD IV too. The detailing commemorates Kevin’s relationship with his family, his first coach, Big Chucky, D.C. and his home city, Seat Pleasant, Md. The Nike Zoom KD IV is a shoe that matches the identity of its namesake — perhaps it’s slightly unassuming, but it has earned the right to be mentioned along the game’s greats.
[wp_ad_camp_1]
I thought the strap would lock down my foot…. I was wrong, all it did was crunch up my laces! Good thing it was a gift, cuz i would not buy that shoe!!
Yeah I was thinking the exact same thing about how this shoe made it on the list…. there could have been so many other models to add to the list. Then they choose an average shoe that hasn’t really been special to anyone or anything.
Aesthetically, probably the best KD. Performance wise, second worst but only because the KDI was stiff as a board and probably harder in the cushion department. This changed the game all right. It showed everybody what a hypebeast is hahaha.
game changing……
these on the list because they found a way to put things in yet keep them under $100??
Pure Bogus in part of Nike.
I think #20 will be the lunar hyperdunk with there knit technology and all that gizmo.
I think the first ten of the list was way more “game changing” then the more recent ten.
piece of advice,let somebody else breakin these shoes for you to save your feet from calluses and irritation,then when all the hotspots are gone invest in a pair of sofsole athlete insoles for cushioning…voila!
shady move by Nike picking a shoe that is out now just to bump sales. they essentially invalidated the entire list