by Brandon Richard
illustrations by @TeamYulia & Danny Scanzoni
As part of its 30th anniversary, Jordan Brand is releasing a four-shoe pack bearing the laser print it introduced in 2004. With input from Michael Jordan, Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith created symbols that represented the most important parts of MJ's life on and off the court. Using the print, Hatfield designed the Air Jordan 20, a shoe that celebrated Jordan Brand at its 20-year mark.
But what if other signature athletes had life-inspired prints of their own? As the sneaker industry experiences a new signature boom, we imagined laser prints for today's marquee NBA stars and applied them to their most recent models.
1.
King's Crown: A nod to LeBron's nickname, King James.
Gloria: His beloved mother.
Dunkman: His Jumpman-like dunk logo.
2 Fingers: Representing two NBA championships.
Lion Logo: One of his primary Nike logos; also a reference to him being 'The King.'
Ohio: An outline of LeBron's home state.
Maurice Podoloff Trophy: 4-Time MVP.
Hummer: He famously drove a Hummer H2 in high school.
Flip-Flops: For taking his talents to South Beach.
The Roc: The hand gesture he commonly flashes to his long-time friend Jay Z.
3.
Chain-Link Fence: Symbolic of Durant's 66-point performance at Rucker Park during the NBA's 2011 lockout.
Thunder Bolts: The Oklahoma City Thunder and his teammates.
Maryland Blue Crab: Honoring his home state and his appetite for crab.
Pearl: R.I.P. Aunt Pearl.
Texas Longhorns Logo: His alma mater.
Backpack: Durant is known for wearing backpacks to games and even has his own Nike line.
Horse: He's the two-time defending champion of the now-defunct H-O-R-S-E competition.
Music Notes: Durant is a known music lover and even makes some of his own.
Wanda Pratt Logo: Mama Durant, the Real MVP.
Tarantula: One of Durant's nicknames, the 'Durantula.'
5.
Charlotte Hornets Logo: Bryant's original Draft Day team.
Black Mamba: His nickname.
Achilles' Heel: Battling back from the devastating injury he suffered in 2013.
Aston Martin: In 2008, he 'jumped' over a speeding Aston Martin in a viral video promoting the original Nike Hyperdunk.
Kobe System: You're Welcome.
White Hot Fashion: The photo shoot that had everybody talking (and laughing) in 2010.
Soccer Ball: At the age of 6, Bryant's family moved to Italy, where he learned to play the game of soccer.
81: His 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 is only second to Wilt Chamberlain's 100.
5 Fingers: For his 5 NBA championships.
Liberty Bell: Bryant was born in Philadelphia.
7.
Pot: He been Chef Curry with the pot.
Eyeglasses: A salute to his State Farm commercial twin, Sebastian.
Golf Club: His favorite off-day activity.
Golden Gate Bridge: Representing the Bay Area, his home away from home.
Father & Son: Before Steph, his father Dell spent 16 seasons as one of the NBA's best shooters.
Three Fingers: He's is the reigning Three-Point Contest champion.
Davidson Wildcats Logo: Where Curry created a little March Madness of his own.
Splash: He and teammate Klay Thompson form the 'Splash Brothers.'
North Carolina: He was born in Akron Ohio, but grew up in North Carolina.
Cross: A devout Christian, Curry writes ‘I Can Do All Things Through Christ’ on every pair of game shoes.
9.
D-Rose Logo: Representing the Rose family and his mother Brenda.
Skittles: Known for having a sweet tooth, Rose has his own Skittles machine at home.
Chicago Bulls Logo: He's the hometown hero.
Maurice Podoloff Trophy: 2011 NBA MVP.
Ping-Pong Paddle: His hobby away from basketball.
Winnie the Pooh: When Derrick was a kid, his grandmother nicknamed him 'Pooh' because she felt he favored the silly ol' bear.
Scratch Marks: Played high school ball for the Simeon Wolverines.
Chicago Flag: Windy City born and bred.
Stealth Bomber: Rose has a quiet demeanor, but attacks aggressively.
RAD: His three best friends, brothers Reggie, Allan and Dwayne.
