Kyrie Irving & ANTA Unveil "Playoffs" Sneakers Pack
Capitalizing on the upcoming NBA Playoffs, ANTA has officially revealed the "Playoffs" pack. They are the fourth and fifth colorways of the ANTA KAI 1.
The sneakers are inspired by ANTA Chief Creative Officer and global basketball icon Kyrie Irving's ethos, the latest ANTA KAI 1 iteration is rooted in a foundation of symbolism, with each element representing the lifestyle and process of everything from the physical to the mental to the spiritual, derived from Irving's lineage and heritage.
The two-shoe pack continues to honor different members of Kai's tribe, focusing on his team and Dallas. The pack features a "Playoff White" and "Playoff Navy" colorway. The overarching color strategy of red represents strength, yellow for speed, green for focus, and purple for agility. The blue/green hues are dialed up in this pack.
The "Playoff White" features a Papyrus White upper. The accented lace loops are Neon Lotus Pink. Kai's code accents throughout the shoe are in green grass. The branding of the lateral ANTA logo and the KAI logo on the tongue is metallic gold in honor of the Post-Season trophy Kai, and his team are chasing after.
Additional details include the top cap with iconic Native American-inspired weaving from "Artists on Court," which returns in a new combination of three-color weave: secret green, deep sea blue, and green grass.
The "Playoff Navy" features a Deep Sea Blue Upper. Kai's code accents throughout the shoe are neon lotus pink. The toe cap has a Neon Lotus Pink, grass green, and secret green. Once again, the branding of the lateral ANTA logo and the KAI logo on the tongue is metallic gold.
The heel graphic, hieroglyphic alphabet, "master your craft" statement, and war marks—which add up to Irving's jersey number 11—speak to his fans to tell a true tribal story. They double down on the theme of going into battle, further representing all aspects and qualities of Irving's game.
Every warrior needs their amour when battling during the most challenging part of the season. Here is an excellent example with a forefoot lockdown strap for protection. The rubber threading is derived from Kyrie's tribal roots, complementing his unorthodox maneuvers.
The ANTA KAI 1 "Playoff" pack retails for $125 and is available in sizes 8-15. The "Playoff White" colorway will be available on April 19 at 11 a.m. CT via ANTA.com, Sneaker Politics, Extra Butter, KICKS CREW, and Sneaker Room. The "Playoff Navy" colorway will be the first shoe exclusive to ANTA.com and will also be available on April 19th at 11 a.m. CT.
The brand is granting members of their "ANTA tribe" the chance to purchase with early access. Fans can register on ANTA.com to enter. Key dates include:
- April 17, 11 AM CT - April 18, 5 PM CT: Sign up on ANTA.com for early access to ANTA KAI 1 "Playoffs" White & Navy.
- April 18, 8 PM CT: Selected users will receive an email with a notification.
- April 19, 7 AM CT - April 19, 10 AM CT: Early access drop; selected users will receive an email with an exclusive link to make a purchase.
- April 19, 11 AM CT: General Drop.
Further Reading: Interview with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic about travel, food, and sneakers.