Kicks and Colors: Nike's NBA opening night looks for KD8, Kobe X, LeBron 13

The inside story behind Nike's Opening Night colorways for the KD8, Kobe X, LeBron 13.

Kicks and Colors spotlights the variety of colorways—and the stories that go with—that brands’ unveil in key basketball sneakers.

Brand: Nike
Sneaker: KD8, Kobe X, LeBron 13
Signature athlete: Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James
Colorway: Opening Night

Story: On-court signature sneakers sometimes play a more subdued role—aside from special events and holidays, of course—due to players needing to wear black, white and team colors. But as the NBA continues to allow creativity in executing color, the range of sneakers expands. Nike embraces color with three special Opening Night shoes. The KD8 for Kevin Durant merges black and orange with an intermixed skyline and city map graphic in white—the new Flyweave material allows for graphic renderings—depicting Oklahoma City and the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. The Kobe X goes crazy high and bright with a Flyknit yellow accented by black. The brand-new LeBron 13 hits the NBA floor for the first time in Cleveland’s wine color with cork detailing.

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Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and sneakers for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.