This week in kicks: Jordans stolen in train robbery

• Throwback to Luc Longley Air Jordan XII reveal
• Josh Giddey rolls in with the Fit of the Week
• Jordan 4s stolen in daring train robbery

What’s the most you’d do for a new pair of shoes?

This week saw the sneaker community test the limits of this question — one Nike grail re-release saw the brand offer to swap new pairs for other possessions, while another Jordan drop was nearly stopped by a scene out of the Fast and Furious.

Meanwhile, the league’s newest rivalry added another chapter in the form of a signature sneaker drop, while Aussie NBA players past and present showed out on the hardwood.

Jordan four train heist

Jordan Brand has teamed up once again with BMX star Nigel Sylvester, releasing the ‘Brick by Brick’ colourway of the Air Jordan 4. But the shoe was almost released in a wildly unplanned fashion, after a shipment of the shoes was stolen during a train heist in Arizona.

About US$2 million worth of sneakers were stolen in the heist after thieves cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train, including almost 2,000 pairs of the upcoming Jordan 4 collaboration, set to release March 14.

Eleven people were charged with possessing or receiving goods stolen during the heist, the most recent of a number of sneaker-related train heists to take place since March 2024.

Kyrie wears fan-designed shoes

Kyrie Irving debuted a new colourway of his ANTA KAI 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers last week, a blue and white design he sported in his first meeting against former teammate Luka Dončić.

But while his sneakers are normally cooked up in boardrooms by design teams, this certain pair was handed to Irving by a fan directly off the street.

Irving was given the shoes pre-game by the fan, a year after the Dallas Mavericks star posted a silhouette of the shoe to his Instagram story, challenging fans to “let me see what y'all can create on this beautiful Canvas”.

He scored 35 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in the sneakers, which were dubbed ‘UNCHALLENGED’ by the designer.

Luka debuts new signature in revenge match

Luka Dončić’s first game against his former team was the most anticipated match of the season, and Jordan Brand made sure they were prepared for the event, with the new Los Angeles Lakers star debuting his new signature sneaker, the Jordan Luka 4.

The sleeker silhouette debuted in a lime colourway, with his brand also used the occasion to put out an ad featuring his favourite car — a Koenigsegg Regera — decked out in Lakers colours while ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ plays over the background.

The car was then parked out the front of Crypto.com Arena ahead of the game, with Dončić also buying out a carpark near the stadium for fans to park in for free.

LeBron James also dressed for the occasion, pulling up in the Louis Vuitton x Air Force 1 Low 'Multi-Color Patchwork', currently listed on GOAT for a cool AU$17,000.

How Luc Longley introduced iconic Air Jordan

One of Michael Jordan’s most iconic sneakers is set to return this year, with the Air Jordan 12 ‘Flu Game’ being re-released by the brand. But many fans may not realise that His Airness was not the first to don the iconic shoe in the NBA — that honour went to Australian basketball icon Luc Longley.

Longley pulled on the black and red version of the sneaker in Game 1 of the 1997 playoffs against the Washington Wizards, while MJ wore a white and black colourway of the sneaker.

Of course, the Flu Games would earn their name and icon status in Game 5 of the finals against the Utah Jazz that same year, when a clearly sick Jordan dropped 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win.

FIT OF THE WEEK: Josh Giddey

Every week, we’ll pick one Aussie or Aussie-adjacent hooper who has put together the fit of the week.

This week it’s Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who has been on fire since All-Star break and donned a red-hot fit to match his play, pairing a Louis Vuitton denim jacket with a pair of Maison MIHARA YASUHIRO.

Giddey also received a new addition to his closet after the game, with fellow Aussie NBA player Ben Simmons leaving him a signed jersey after the two faced off.