(PROCESS)[I TOOK THE DESIGN OF MY NIKES VERY SERIOUSLY.]

Again, it goes back to craft and detail. For some players, sneakers were all about looks and shine. For me, it was always about peak performance. It was about the fact that I was on my feet for 48 minutes a night and relied on them to do my job.

I was an absolute perfectionist about the technology that went into my signature sneakers. I cared about every little detail. I cared about the weight, the weight distribution, the materials, the cut, the traction, the durability. I was meticulous about every curve, contour, and stitch. I didn’t want any loose ends. I didn’t want my foot sliding in the shoe. I didn’t want anything that could take my focus, even for an instant, off the game. My sneakers didn’t just have to be comfortable, they had to help me perform better.

Nike, fortunately, loved that kind of challenge. Each signature shoe improved on the one before it. We were always getting better, always striving for innovation and greatness. Always looking ahead.