Concept Lab // Air Jordan 4 “Lakers Alternate”

Select Model

Jordan Brandoften looks to Mike’s playing days for inspiration, with everything from ugly sweatsuits to championship cigars all having served retro silhouettes with ideas. Quite often the JB design team looks to Mike’s rivals for both nostalgic and sales reasons. Colorways like the Cavs 4 and Air Jordan 1 “Lucky Green” celebrate famous moments from a storied career, though direct franchise colorways seem to be a rarity. Recently, though, we’ve seen some past PEs start to filter through to the market, thus *hopefully* opening the door to some straight-up team-based colorways. The big three teams would be the most obvious place to start; the Knicks, Celtics, and Lakers all having such extensive fan bases mean widespread exposure and limitless hype — so something like this is long overdue.

Of course, we could have chosen the Knicks or Celtics to deliver our first concept in this, our “Franchise” series (and we will), but why not start with the reigning champs? The Lakers were one of Mike’s first big rivals, and, even though they were out West, the early battles between the Bulls and Magic’s Lakers were intense — and definitely a rivalry worth celebrating.

Though simply put together, we’re tipping that something like what you see below would be an instant classic. So how bout it, Jordan Brand? Is it time for another Lakers Air Jordan? We think so. Stay tuned, for tomorrow we’ll unveil a conceptual “Lakers Home” edition of the Air Jordan 4, before we move on to a few other select franchises throughout the NBA.

Wanna see more of our sneaker concept work? You can check out every single one of them right here.