Nike is "getting diverse" with Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving's latest signature shoe, as the Kyrie 3 introduced last October is "now available in a variety of colors," according to Troy Smith of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. The latest variety is the "Hot Punch," which "became available over the weekend at all major sneaker retailers." But it is "just the first in a line of Kyrie 3's hitting stores in the coming weeks." The Kyrie 3 "Hyper Cobalt" arrives in stores on Feb. 1 for $120, and the "Samurai" edition is available on Jan. 26. These releases come after the "Black Ice" version of the shoe in December (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/10). ADWEEK's Gabriel Beltrone noted Irving and musical artist Questlove "duet in a new ad" from Nike and R/GA, L.A., promoting the Kyrie 3 sneakers. Irving "dribbles, crossing over and changing tempo with dizzying precision," while Questlove "throws off rapid-fire syncopations." It is an "impressive, brooding performance, a departure from the agency's goofier but plenty entertaining promos for previous versions of Irving's namesake footwear -- like the Ky-rispy Kreme donut edition of the Kyrie 2" (ADWEEK.com, 1/9).
CAN I KICK IT? The PLAIN DEALER's Smith notes Cavaliers F LeBron James has "spent the past few weeks debuting versions of his upcoming LeBron 14, the latest of which will take Cavaliers fans back" to the '80s. During the team's Jan. 4 game against the Bulls, James "showed off the yet-to-be released LeBron 14 'Hardwood Classics.'" The orange and blue shoes "take their look from the Cavs' 80s throwback uniforms." No word has yet been given on "whether the Nike LeBron 14 'HWC' sneakers will be made available to the general public" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/10). Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Scott Horner notes Nike is "debuting the PG1 this week, a signature shoe" for Pacers F Paul George. The release "coincides with the Pacers' trip to London" to play the Nuggets on Thursday. Nike said that George becomes the "fourth active signature athlete and the 21st basketball player to receive signature shoes" from the brand (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/10).
