The Lakers begin their season at home against the Bulls on Christmas Day, and Lakers G Kobe Bryant will "debut a unique pair of his Nike Zoom VII shoes featuring cheetah spots and red laces," according to Mark Medina of the L.A. TIMES, who wrote under the blog headline, "Kobe Bryant's New Christmas Shoes Require Protective Eyeware." Medina wrote, "Whether you attend the Lakers' Christmas Day game ... or watch it on your new wide-screen TV, beware of the bright objects" (LATIMES.com, 12/13). YAHOO SPORTS' Kelly Dwyer noted the shoe includes "Grinch-green, some sort of hipster purple-plaid, a cheetah, Kobe's autograph, and some sort of caliper system on the heel because apparently Kobe doesn't jump high enough as it is." Bryant is "celebrating the holiday in terrible fashion, because these shoes are ridiculous." However, Dwyer wrote, "We like it when Kobe steps out like this, and in a fashion era where more and more ostensibly hip basketball players are showing up to press conferences in cardigans that would put Pat Boone to shame, ugly is apparently the new sexy" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/13). BLEACHER REPORT's Kyle Vassalo wrote, "There is a fine line between eye-catching and ugly, and Kobe Bryant's new Christmas-themed kicks has crossed it. ... They've got a color scheme that is too bright for children's cereal and a ridiculous design that makes them impossible to take seriously." He added, "They are, by design, one of the loudest shoes imaginable. Love them or hate them, they make everyone within a mile radius stop and stare" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 12/13).
COPPERHEAD ROAD: DIME Magazine's Aron Phillips noted Thunder F Kevin Durant will wear a copper version of the Nike Zoom KD IV during his game against the Magic on Christmas. The color is "inspired by a present every kid in Durant's D.C. neighborhood wanted for Christmas growing up: Foamposites" (DIMEMAG.com, 12/13). In Oklahoma City, Darnell Mayberry wrote, "Not really my speed. But I'm sure there's a market out there for them" (NEWSOK.com, 12/14).
