The Air More Uptempo Scottie Pippen is on its way. Nike is celebrating 30 years of the Uptempo with a colorway built around the player who made the model famous. Leaked images of the Air More Uptempo Scottie Pippen show a black version with style code IX8627-010. Here's what we know so far.
The colorway is called "30 Years of Uptempo" and combines Black, Sail and Anthracite. The biggest change sits on the side. Where the familiar AIR letters usually run across the upper, the lateral side now reads PIP.
On the medial side, the images show the classic AIR staying in place. That way every shoe carries both names.
The heel carries a tonal Pippen logo, kept low-key in the same shade as the rest of the shoe. Look from above and you'll spot a "30" on the insole. On the tongue, a shiny Uptempo badge stands out.
A shoe that was never his
Interestingly, the Uptempo was never Pippen's official signature shoe. Still, the model belongs to him. The Uptempo arrived in 1996 and stood out right away with its oversized AIR lettering, exactly the part that now makes way for his nickname.
Pippen wore the Uptempo in 1996 with the Chicago Bulls and with Team USA at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. A year later his own line began. During his NBA career he received five signature models, and the Air Pippen 6 followed after he retired. The Air Foamposite One was originally intended for him as well.
From Central Arkansas to six titles
His road to the top was far from obvious. Pippen played at the University of Central Arkansas, a small NAIA school. In the 1987 draft Seattle picked him fifth, after which he went straight to Chicago.
There, alongside Michael Jordan, he grew into one of the most complete players of his era. With the Bulls he won six NBA titles: three in a row from 1991 and three more from 1996.
He collected honours beyond Chicago too. He won Olympic gold with the Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992 and again in Atlanta in 1996. He was a seven-time All-Star, All-Star Game MVP in 1994 and an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He later played for Houston and Portland before returning to Chicago for his final season. In 2010 he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
With this Air More Uptempo Scottie Pippen, his name finally lands on the model thirty years later. Literally, and in big letters.
Release and price
Nike has not shared official release details yet. A European release date and a retail price in euros are therefore not confirmed.
If you want to look around already, you can find the current Air More Uptempo models at Nike. As soon as the Air More Uptempo Scottie Pippen gets an official date, you will read it here.
Keep an eye on the release calendar so you don't miss any info. You'll find more stories like this in our sneaker news.
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