Williamson said the new shoe is very comfortable and a little stronger than the regular Kyrie 4sGETTY IMAGES
Duke F Zion Williamson last night returned from an injury he suffered after his Paul George-model Nike's blew out last month, wearing a modified version of Kyrie Irving's 4 model Nike shoes and "opting for a higher-cut shoe," according to Pete Thamel of YAHOO SPORTS. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski "detailed the lengths Nike went to trying to make up for the sneaker" Williamson's foot "ripped through." He said that Nike "sent 'their top people' to Durham the next day to figure out what went wrong with the shoe," and that Nike crew then "went to China to explore making a more 'supportive' shoe." Krzyzewski: "Their immediate, great response was appreciated and it was something that we have grown to expect from our relationship with them." Williamson said of the custom shoes he wore Thursday, "They're a little stronger than the regular Kyrie 4's. ... They felt very comfortable." Thamel writes Nike has been a "constant" in Krzyzewski's career, "both at Duke and with USA Basketball." Krzyzewski said, "We have a very close relationship with them. We think it's the best shoe or else we wouldn't be with them" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/15). It is "unclear how many pairs of the modified shoes Williamson had on hand Thursday." However, Krzyzewski "made a point of noting that Williamson is rotating pairs of shoes to avoid a repeat of that freak occurrence" (AP, 3/15).
TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN: ESPN's Allison Williams said Nike will create a custom shoe "from time to time with athletes that have certain needs" in footwear ("Duke-Syracuse," ESPN, 3/14). ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. said Nike took "care of him in the most extreme way possible." Nike "flew a team of experts in, they were taking his input of, 'What do you want, what do you need. Look what we can do for you.'" ESPN's Jason Fitz: "Can we just acknowledge how baller that has to feel?" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 3/15).
ALL SWOOSH, FOR NOW: There had been speculation before Thursday's game whether Williamson would wear Nike or another brand, but ESPN's Jalen Rose said Williamson is "going to be wearing Nikes as long as he's going to play collegiate basketball at Duke" ("Get Up," ESPN, 3/15). ESPN's Fran Fraschilla prior to Duke-Syracuse said, "I know Zion is going to be wearing Nikes tonight, but I am going to be watching those feet. I want to see what's on his feet. I believe he will sign with Nike. Remember where you heard it. Big deal coming up for that young man" ("Kansas St.-TCU," ESPN2, 3/14). ESPN's Dan Shulman said at the NBA level it "goes without saying Zion will continue to augment his primary source of income in the shoe area," as he is "certainly a marketable young man" ("Duke-Syracuse," ESPN, 3/14).
