All-Star Weekend isn’t just about the game, it’s also a forum for conversation and celebration of the culture that makes coming together for play so important. A crucial part of that conversation is how brands make the game accessible through products and you know it’s a jubilee for new sneakers. There are so many. Every day a different brand is dropping heaters, and we’ve brought them all together so you can keep track of what’s dropping when and be sure to collect them all.
Nike + Air Jordan New Beginnings Pack
Release: TBD
When Michael Jordan and Nike made their first joint appearance on the hardwood court, it sparked a partnership that is now 35 years in the making. Before making his rookie debut, Michael Jordan was tied to the famous Swoosh brand and created a mutually beneficial relationship; Nike was gaining fandom for attaching itself to such a strong talent and Michael Jordan was being crafted into this untouchable basketball entity with Nike’s help. For his debut on the court, Jordan sported the Nike Air Ship in 1984, which was then a $35 basketball shoe not tied to any athlete. With this shoe, he averaged 28 points a game and made the Bulls team a playoff contender. The year following, the Air Jordan 1 appeared. Despite enduring a leg injury that made him miss 64 games, the shoe made enough of an impression on the public that has made the silhouette a fan favorite more than three decades later. For All-Star Weekend, Nike is bringing back the shoes that helped start this Jordan empire. Named the New Beginnings pack, this two shoe release comes with the Air Jordan 1 in its original ‘85 shape for the first time and the Air Ship which is seeing its first-ever retro release. Even though it comes with a $350 price tag, this pack is a definite must-cop for its historic upbringing.
Nike LeBron 17 Monstars
Release: 2/13
1996’s Space Jam was much more than a movie and while it proved Michael Jordan still had so much to show the world, the sneakers that were introduced in the film continue to have a life of their own. LeBron James, whose every move has been compared to Jordan’s, is set to take the lead role in the 2021 sequel, and this All-Star Weekend we get our first chance at grabbing a pair from the movie. The “Monstars” LeBron 17 is named and inspired by the villainous antagonist team from the film, but the big question is will they live up to the OG film’s footwear offerings?
Air Jordan 1 UNC to Chicago (W)
Release: 2/14
With ASW 2020 taking place in Chicago, Jordan Brand had no choice but to give a huge nod to His Airness, with the release of the Air Jordan 1 “UNC to Chicago”. Jumpman revisited the silhouette that started it all and created a colorway that forces us into a legendary time capsule. Wrapped in a buttery leather are two dominant colors that played an important role in Jordan’s life. Both the heel and swoosh are covered in a UNC blue that pays homage to MJ’s alma mater, while the toe box and sole are drenched in red showing love to his time with the Bulls.
Nike Kyrie 6 “Trophies”
Release: 2/14
Paying homage to Michael Jordan’s championship run in 1996, Nike threw a no-look assist to Kyrie Irving and created one of the greatest highlights of 2020, the Nike Kyrie 6 “Trophies”. Having a great career in the NBA is amazing, but winning a chip is special. Climbing to the top of the league is something both Uncle Drew and MJ have in common. This sneaker has championship DNA written all over it. From a dashing red upper to gold flakes embedded in the sole, you’ll always be a champion with these in your rotation. Don’t sleep on the most important detail, “6/16/96” and “6/19/16”, which brings light to Kyrie’s first NBA championship.
Air Jordan 3 Unite Fire Red
Release: 2/15
Air Jordan 3s just hit different, and even a tease or announcement hinting to a release of 3s can inspire unique fervor, with very few duds. We’ve seen Fire Red Jordan 3s before, but this is a decidedly different take: splashed with rich red and elephant print they’re closer to the DJ Khaled “Grateful” pairs or Doernbechers than the original Fire Red 3s. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a pair of sneakers drop that are this boldly colored in a silhouette like the Jordan 3, so it will be interesting to see how the market reacts.
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 V3 Alvah
Release: 2/15
The third incarnation of the Yeezy Boost 700 is one of the most sophisticated designs we’ve seen from the ongoing collaborations, playing with shape, line, texture, and even expectations. The outer shell is reminiscent of a race car and an astronaut’s suit with a sole unit that feels progressive and substantial. The unique textures are best recognized in a tonal colorway like the Alvah version that drops this All-Star Weekend. The entirely black sneaker takes a rather complex design and makes it wearable for every day use.
Air Jordan X Wings
Release: 2/15
It’s more than just the shoes and that is very apparent on this Air Jordan 10. This shoe is apart of a pack meant to highlight Jordan Brand’s Wings Foundation, which focuses on youth education through donations, scholarships and internship opportunities. Dubbed “Wings”, the latest Jordan 10 is the product of four young talented Chicago students tapped to collaborate on the release. What they came up with as a theme very central to Chicago, its transit system. The colorway takes inspiration from the transit lines, utilizing hits of green, blue, red, and others in the form of piping on both shoe. On the back, the heel tab is found donning the same colors on both left and right pairs.
Air Jordan x Off-White 5 Black
Release: 2/15
It’s always something of a surprise to see how Virgil Abloh’s Off-White is going to reinterpret a classic Jordan silhouette, and the take on the Jordan V is legitimately surprising for one particular reason: they cut a hole in it! At this point we’re used to seeing materials flipped around and raw edges on the tongue and collar – both elements you’ll find in the OW J5 – but we haven’t seen Abloh just punch a hole in the upper before. Every new Off-White deconstruction is welcome as it forces us to reconsider and recontexualize the products that build the culture, and it’s always a worthy challenge.
Nike KD 12 “Don C”
Release: 2/15
All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the best players in today’s game. It has become a ritual for Nike Basketball over the last decade to welcome ASW with an exclusive line of signature shoes from their star athletes. This year, Nike pays homage to the host city of Chicago with the KD 12 Don C. Similar to the Nike Air Force 1 High Just Don Blue, this KD 12 draws inspiration from the Chicago Flag in its bright blue colorway and embroidered star detailing on the tongue. Although Kevin Durant will not make an All-Star Game appearance, we can imagine that he would lace up these sneakers.
Air Jordan 1 Sheila Rashid “Unite”
Release: 2/15
A very welcome addition to the roster this year is an exclusive Air Jordan 1 created in collaboration with Sheila Rashid, the Chicago-based designer of gender-neutral pieces that invite expression without definition. The sneakers feature plush hair suede and tumbled leather in cool grey at the heel and throat, while the toe is dominated by rich purple tumbled leather. A play on representation and inclusion, the sneakers speak of a disrupted dichotomy and do it with a ton of style.
Air Jordan AJKO 1 SocialWorks
Release: 2/15
Using Chicago based collaborators for an ASW collection is an inspired move, and Jordan Brand went impressively wide with their collaborators this year. Chance the Rapper’s SocialWorks is all about empowering the youth of Chicago through the arts, education and civic engagement, and honestly, the best way to engage kids is to meet them where they are. While the Jordan 1 has gotten a ton of play the last few years, we don’t see enough AJKOs and it’s really cool to see the silhouette brought forward for the cause. White and teal canvas dominate the sneaker with an orange outsole that matches the laces.
Nike Air Force 1 Don C Indigo
Release: 2/15
Don C first debuted his Air Force 1 Hybrid in 2017 as a part of the sneakers’ 35th anniversary, blending the classic design of the AF1 with the heel of the Air Force 2 and the throat of the Air Force 3. It’s coming back for All-Star Weekend in a chalky blue colorway with hits of red under the swoosh, in the lining, and in branding details throughout. The colorway is a reference to the city flag of Chicago, doubling down on intensity, celebrating the host city and the heritage of the game.
To see everything that StockX has going on for ASW 2020 in Chicago and beyond, check out the hub and click here.
