Air Jordan 1 "Pass The Torch" Release Date

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When the San Antonio Spurs drafted Kawhi Leonard 15th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, you just knew he was going to be special. Equal parts his play at San Diego State, his upending of the NBA Summer League shortly thereafter, and the simple fact that Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford have the best scouting staff in the league. But it wasn’t until the 2014 NBA Finals that the entire basketball world was put on notice. Kawhi Leonard had arrived, and on the biggest stage possible.

As Leonard’s Spurs took on the LeBron James led Miami Heat, Kawhi’s unassuming demeanor was no match for his larger-than-life play. He was dominate throughout the entire series with his crowning moment coming in Game 3 of the feverish series. Kawhi torched the Heat for 29 points and put the clamps on LeBron James at the opposite end of the floor. The world was seeing one of the league’s best new two-way players at the height of his powers. The Spurs went on to win the series 4 games to 1 and Leonard was championed the Finals MVP. It was, by many accounts, a passing of the torch for which Leonard was the recipient.

That sentiment inspires Kawhi’s upcoming Air Jordan 1 “Pass The Torch” sneaker. His “KLAW” logo dangles from a hangtag above the shimmering White/Metallic Silver-Black upper. The enlarged hand graphic can also be seen at the tongue, insole and through the translucent outsole.

Look for the Air Jordan 1 “Pass The Torch” on April 28.