LeBron James, Kobe Bryant & Kevin Durant Join the NOLA Gumbo League for All-Star Weekend

Eclectic New Orleans inspires Nike’s trio of basketball shoes for the game’s best.

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11, KD 6 & Kobe 9 Elite (1)

words // Brandon Richard

via Press Release

For All-Star Weekend, Nike Basketball salutes the unique flavor of New Orleans with the 2014 NOLA Gumbo League Collection, featuring the LeBron 11, Kobe 9 Elite and KD 6. 

LEBRON 11 GATOR KING:

Inspired by the fearsome alligator, the king of the bayou, the LeBron 11 Gator King is a bold expression of royalty and power. Gators, often a symbol of protection in New Orleans culture, influence graphic textures throughout the shoe. Invisible to the naked eye, hand-drawn patterns come to life as the Hyperposite bucket of the shoe glows in the dark. The musings of majestic color in deep purples, greens and gold are derived from the “Rex” - king of carnival celebrations.

KOBE 9 ELITE MAESTRO:

Nike Basketball pays tribute to the masters of Jazz in its birthplace. Like great jazz musicians who play instinctively, Bryant brings a similar improvisation to his game. Paying homage to this classic genre and some of its greatest musicians, the Kobe 9 Elite Maestro uses accents of brass in the upper. A glow-in-the-dark outsole pops at night, just as the jazz clubs swing into action. The upper includes additional, secret glow-in-the-dark symbols.

KD 6 ILLUSION:

Not everything is what it first appears to be in New Orleans. Similarly, Durant defies the perception of a near seven-footer – an illusion of sorts. His limitless scoring range is redefining the perception of a forward. Celebrating the magic of KD’s versatility, the KD 6 Illusion showcases hand-drawn patterns on the upper emulating Durant’s fluidity on the court. A glow-in-the-dark outsole also represents the “spark” of KD’s game.

Each shoe will be packaged in a special edition box with a commemorative tarot card. Launch is set for Friday, February 14 at nike.com and select retail locations.

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11 Gator King (1)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11 Gator King (2)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11 Gator King (3)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: Kobe 9 Elite Maestro (1)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: Kobe 9 Elite Maestro (2)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: Kobe 9 Elite Maestro (3)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: KD 6 Illusion (1)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: KD 6 Illusion (2)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: KD 6 Illusion (3)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11, KD 6 & Kobe 9 Elite (2)

Nike Basketball NOLA Gumbo League All-Star Collection: LeBron 11, KD 6 & Kobe 9 Elite Tarot Cards