Official images only stoke the flame, further teasing the colorway just after a sizable delay. Its color, compared to their Nike x Off-White AJ1 Mid, is much more subtle, as the palette's yellow and orange accents appear infrequently across the toe, profile, heel, and DIY-esque stitching. How the tech works The IsoPlate foot frame wraps up the lateral forefoot to keep players contained over the footbed, helping secure the foot when going from front to back. I realized I could use basketball as a platform, which can sometimes feel like a microscope.

When Julius Dr. J Erving arrived in Philadelphia at the start of the 1976-77 season, he was not without reputation. The 6' 7 small forward had already begun to redefine basketball with a high-leaping style that transitioned the slam dunk from a pure display of power into an artistic expression. The move to a new league not Nike Off White only progressed his smooth playing style, it solidified an equally sophisticated off-court aesthetic. Serving as something of a bridge, the shoe Dr. J made his signature, the Converse Pro Leather, premiered alongside Philadelphia's new No. 6, and together defined a generational look.

Covered in a classic Volt hue on the timeless Chicago-style color-blocking, this Air Jordan 1 Visionaire is not for those who rely on subtlety and neutral tones. Inspired by the light pink hues of bubble gum, this women's exclusive features a mix of matte nubuck Off-White x Air Max 90 and patent leather. The bubble gum reference inspires subtle detailing, including a printed bubble gum splat on the bottom of the outsole. Then came the 2016 Finals, which cemented the shoe's place in history as one of the all-time memorable playoff shoes. The shoe reinforced the idea that you don't need all these extra layers to play at a high level, says Petrie.