NBA Christmas games have been a staple of the association since its first inception in 1947, when the New York Knicks defeated the Providence Steamrollers 89-75. Christmas Day games have always aimed to make it must-watch TV by pitting rival teams against one another. Who could forget the first Kobe/Shaq matchup in 2004 after Shaq was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat that summer? It seems, however, that threads and kicks players wear on Christmas can be just as interesting as the rivalries themselves. While the debut of Christmas kicks is relatively new, let’s break down the top five Christmas kicks in NBA history:
5. Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Christmas”
Photo courtesy of basketzone.net
The Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Christmas” made its first debut in 2014, when the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Chicago Bulls. While the Kobe 9 Elite may slightly resemble a walking boot, it’s wildly considered as one of the better Kobe shoes with excellent traction and great cushion. The shoe also features great lockdown support, as the Flynit material shapes around your foot almost like a sock. The rubber sole on the bottom is another Nike patented Lunar Lon material that allows incredible traction and smooth maneuvering. The Kobe 9 Elite retailed in 2014 for $225.
4. Nike LeBron 12 “Christmas”
Photo courtesy of sneakerbardetroit.com
2014 was a great year for Christmas kicks. This time, we have the Nike LeBron 12 “Christmas” which features a teal colorway and an arctic woodland overlay. The materials constructed to make this shoe was almost a Frankenstein type mashup of the “fuse” technology and a mesh upper. LBJ himself first took the court in these shoes when the Cleveland Cavaliers battled the Miami Heat. The LeBron 12 retailed in 2014 for $200.
3. Nike LeBron 9 “Christmas”
Photo courtesy of flightclub.com
Ah, the Nike LBJ 9 is personally my favorite model of the LeBron James signature shoe line. First released in 2012, LeBron graced the floor alongside his new friends in Miami as they took on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The LeBron 9 features a beautiful 360 Air Max cushion with a Zoom sole. The LeBron 9 retailed in 2012 for $170.
2. Nike Kobe 6 “Grinch”
Photo courtesy of flightclub.com
The Nike Kobe 6 “Grinch” is inspired by what else? The Grinch. Inspired by the 2000 movie ” How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (the BEST Grinch movie btw), the Kobe 6 is most notable for the snake scale like upper it features on the sneaker. Kobe debuted these in 2010 as the Lakers played against the Miami Heat. You can currently own a pair for around $800- not a typo (StockX.com).
1. Nike LeBron 11 “Christmas”
Photo courtesy of flightclub.com
The Nike Lebron 11 “Christmas” without a doubt is at the top of the mountain when it comes to Christmas kicks. Just like the aforementioned 12’s, the 11’s feature a beautiful teal overlay and red swoosh/laces that accent the shoe perfectly. These shoes first hit the floor in 2015 when the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Golden State Warriors. The snowflakes blend in with the shoes so well and provide a never before seen pattern. The LeBron 11 “Christmas” can be purchased via Flightclub.com for $205.
