Nike Basketball for the first time in six years "has a new signature athlete," with the unveiling of Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving's new "KYRIE 1" shoe last night at a press conference in N.Y., according to Matt Dollinger of SI.com. Irving "became the latest player to join the exclusive club," which includes Cavaliers F LeBron James, Lakers G Kobe Bryant and Thunder F Kevin Durant. The shoe incorporates two "personal elements close to Irving." The letters "JBY" -- "Just Be You" -- are "inscribed under Irving's logo, a personal motto that Irving hopes inspires kids." The shoe also was "designed with the Sydney Opera House in mind, the famous landmark in Irving's home country of Australia." Several "unique colorways are also in the works" (SI.com, 12/3). ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted Irving, who is in the last year of a four-year deal, "signed a seven-year extension" with Nike. The shoe "has Irving's new interlocking 'KI' logo, his signature on the inside of the tongue and his number on the back of the heel." His mother's name, Elizabeth, is "etched on the sole of the shoe with her birthdate and the day she died, when Irving was 4" (ESPN.com, 12/3). James and Cavaliers F Tristan Thompson were present at the unveiling (THE DAILY).
