Last November, adidas Basketball began to transform its identity with the introduction of the “Remember The Why†collection. Its initial apparel launch for Chapter 01 presented a range that maneuvered calmly from one soft color to another — arriving on relaxed pieces with sharp branding elements. Pairing with this, the adidas Rivalry Low 86 launched as a complementary footwear option. Alongside the reveal of a fitting Chapter 02 sequel, new footwear silhouettes such as the Harden Vol. 7 have appeared. Now, this initial build up culminates with adidas’ “Remember The Why†showcase as an array of never-before-seen sneakers and colorways were on display for NBA All-Star Weekend 2023.
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Kicking things off, Bad Bunny’s Forum Buckle Low makes its return by celebrating the Cangrejeros de Santurce (Crabmen of Santurce) basketball team — a franchise based in San Juan that the Puerto Rican artist became a co-owner of in 2021. Its complex upper arrives in an off-white with orange and navy accents scattered across the Three Stripes, lining, heel and tongue while the cream toe box appears with a basketball-inspired pattern. The silhouette’s signature buckle strap sees orange embroidered text that reads “Santurce Cangrejeros†across the two shoes hidden underneath its Velcro mechanism. Additional collaborative hits include the team’s logo on the tongue and golden text at the lateral’s midfoot that reads “1962 1968 1998 1999†on the left shoe and “2000 2001 2003 2007†on the right shoe, nodding to the team’s eight championships.
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Last year, the late Kobe Bryant’s Kobe 1 — reintroduced as the Crazy 1 in 2013 — made a return in several of its OG colorways. Boasting over two decades in its lifespan, it has aged smoothly into a sneaker world where clean linework and bulky builds are emphasized. For 2023, adidas has now opted to evolve this classic by introducing the Crazy IIInfinity. Pictured first in the gallery, it is arriving in a multitude of colorways. Its construction clearly draws from its predecessor while integrating modern design elements to freshen the look. The lacing system is stowed away beneath a zip-up shroud with its toe box taking a more prominent role. Debossed Three Stripes branding returns to each side as the shape of both the lateral and medial appears in a sleeker form. At the collar, an even cut further emphasizes its polished frame.
That wasn’t all for adidas as the Superteam 2000 S and Superteam Slide — the above gallery’s second and third silhouettes — were also showcased. With the Superteam 2000 S, sharp lines run from front to back in a streamlined design that keeps branding to a minimum. Similar to the Crazy IIInfinity, the laces are mostly hidden with a performance fabric covering all but the uppermost portion of the lacing system. Leveraging a mixed material build, mesh combines with leather and two types of suede in this preview of the shoe. Its partner in crime — the Superteam Slide — also goes minimal with branding as an oversized sole unit sneakily carries the Three Stripes at the midfoot of the lateral’s sole. The footbed features extra support with its raised edges throughout, bouncing between suede and leather in material use.
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Logan Fairbrother / Hypebeast
Circling back to the Forum and Rivalry, the Forum Low CL and Rivalry Low have been dressed in a total of nine collegiate compositions. Schools featured include the University of Miami, Grambling State University, University of Washington, University of Louisville, Indiana University, Texas A&M University, University of Nebraska, Arizona State University and Kansas University. The pairs prominently utilize each university’s colors while also displaying their logos at the tongue.
Despite its ongoing evolution, the Crazy 1 isn’t done just yet. Its highly sought-after “Black/Noir†look is returning with its signature black-on-black presentation. In addition, the Crazy 8 is back in the mix as “Off-White/Sesame†neatly covers its wavy structure. Lastly, the city of New York is once again paid homage to with fresh looks on the Attitude Hi and Rivalry Low 86. Named the “Pinstripe Pack,†the city’s iconic blue and orange are joined by off-white details with “NY†branding arriving at the tongue and heel of both shoes.
Stay tuned for official release information regarding each shoe as adidas Basketball continues to usher in this new era throughout 2023.
