Nike has announced their 2014 Christmas Collection that will feature three shoes, the KOBE 9, KD 7, and LEBRON 12. The three athletes will be seen on Christmas Day wearing the festive kicks on the court for the first time. The shoes will then be available to purchase on December 26.

Let’s start off with my personal favorite. In all honesty this is just my personal preference based purely on looks and design although I don’t play basketball as much as before. The KOBE 9 Knit Stocking is the first basketball shoe with Flyknit technology and also integrates carbon fiber and Christmas camo into the design – and these are a few of my favorite things (see what I did there). The candy cane inspired outsole and the “Mamba’s Greetings,” on the inner tongue are the little details that make this a nice sneaker to own. Ok I’m also a big Lakers fan despite the tough last couple seasons and will cheer them on when they face the Bulls on Christmas Day.

Next up is the LEBRON 12. The winter forest camo is cool and I dig the use of birch trees, which is intended to be a nod to Akron, Ohio, his hometown. Another detail worth noting is the snowflake formed by small hexagons on the tongue loop. The emerald green is nice, but the small hits of red combined with the orange don’t do it for me. The game however is setting up to be a good one with Lebron facing his old team when the Cavs go up against the Heat.

The KD 7 is my least favorite of the group, but still a nice shoe. Inspired by egg nog of all things. This holiday treat is brought to the shoe with glossy flecks that emulate condensation of a glass of egg nog. The candy cane colored shoe features dynamic Flywire tech, Hyperposite construction, and Zoom Air cushioning. My favorite detail is the “Fresh Since ’88,” Durant’s birth year on the sock liner, but also makes me feel my age when I realize how young this MVP really is. KD and the Thunder will meet the championship Spurs on Christmas.

Christmas Day has always been one of my favorite holidays and watching the NBA games has become family tradition. I’m looking forward to watching the first game I grew up enjoying as a kid with the family.

John P
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