The long-awaited return of the Nike KD 4 has been a major story all throughout 2024. The retro effort continues with the Nike KD 4 “Nerf” on August 9th, reprising a defining 2011 shoe not just for Durant’s line, but for the 2010s era of Nike Basketball as a whole. Arriving in men’s sizing, retail is set at $150. Though elevated in its original drop by a special edition box that included an actual NERF hoop, that exact packaging won’t come with this pair, but a commemorative box that reflects the shoe’s colorway is confirmed.
You can find store links to raffles and product pages under “Where To Buy.” Further down you can catch detailed images of the 2024 retro, a breakdown of the shoe’s history, and some shots of KD rocking the 2011 edition during the lockout season.
While Kevin Durant’s public persona has evolved since that halcyon OKC era, an undying devotion to hoops hasn’t changed since his earliest days. A guiding light throughout his Nike signature line, it was again in focus for the 2011 Nike KD 4 “Nerf,” one of his densest releases from a storytelling perspective. It threw back to KD’s and burgeoning ballers’ formative years, reflecting the zany, eccentric brand identity of 90s Nerf toys and mini basketball hoops onto a silhouette that launched to breakout success.
Looking back on the 2011 release also casts the differences in the sneaker game into stark relief. Dropped in the heat of the “camp-out” era (only predating “Galaxy” Foams by a matter of months), this was one of the more sought-after pairs of that calendar year, sparking line-ups outside of House of Hoops stores nationwide as sneakerheads hope to crack through quite limited stock. Given that the 2011 NBA lockout prevented the typical on-court promotion, hype built up with KD rocking pairs on the charity circuit, only enhancing the central “for the love of the game” narrative.
As mentioned up top, you can get your hands on the KD 4 “Nerf” on August 9th for $150.
