MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
As a freshman in high school, James Harden wrote his dreams onto a piece of paper with a simple note promising his mom, ‘Imma Be A Star.’
Now, 13 years after winning Artesia High School’s 2005 MVP Award, James has been awarded the prestigious honor of being the NBA’s 2017-18 Most Valuable Player. His career-year made Rockets’ franchise history and established a new standard with 30.4 points and 8.8 assists per game.
To inspire future stars of the game and commemorate the note his mom has kept to this day, adidas introduces the “Imma Be A Star” film featuring Monja Willis’ response to her son. In her letter, Monja recalls steps along the way of the remarkable path James has created for himself.
The “Imma Be A Star” film chronicles Harden’s journey starting from his childhood driveway in Los Angeles; to being crowned Artesia High’s MVP; to turning heads at Arizona State University; to having his name called in the 2009 NBA Draft and ultimately; his historic MVP run in Houston.
In celebration of James’ record-setting season, adidas Basketball is unveiling a special edition Harden MVP Collection. Featuring the Harden Vol. 2, Harden LS 2 and Harden B/E (Brothers Through Everything) X models, these three new stars in the Harden collection recognize his path to MVP and will be available for limited release. The MVP Collection features a blue and gold color palette inspired by the seal of the City of Compton, where James grew up, with MVP callouts to honor No. 13’s ‘Imma Be A Star’ story.
The collection story begins with the family and friends who supported Harden through it all and are represented by the Harden B/E X. The latest iteration of Harden’s performance line sits atop full-length Bounce cushioning and is designed with black, blue and gold details. The lifestyle evolution of the Harden collection, Harden LS 2, is a personal favorite of James’ mother Monja, who has known his star-potential from the start. The MVP edition is laced up in blue mesh with gold accents and full-length black Boost. Harden Vol. 2 is the signature model of Harden’s collection which he wore on-court throughout his MVP season. Its unique build was constructed to elevate James’ deceptive footwork and amplify his ability to create space, but now, raises the game once more as a standout shoe that signifies who the greatest star on the court is.
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ADIDAS & JAMES HARDEN CHANGE DIRECTION WITH HARDEN VOL. 2
James Harden knows within seconds that his defender can’t guard him. Jab, dribble, hesi, cross, step-back, drill the three. Harden’s got his defender on skates before they can even react to his first move. A recipe few can master but for Harden it’s what makes him basketball’s most lethal creator.
Designed to enhance No. 13’s skill for changing direction, adidas introduces Harden Vol. 2 with FORGEFIBER and full-length BOOST. The second volume in Harden’s signature line is uniquely constructed to elevate his deceptive footwork and amplify his ability to create space on-court.
“It’s tailored to my game and quick change of direction,” Harden explained. “Being different in the sense of my movements – the step-backs and Eurosteps and quick crossovers – you got to have a shoe that’s designed to move whenever you move… and not a second later.”
FORGE YOUR PATH
Engineered for the movements that separate Harden from the rest, FORGEFIBER hits the court for the first time and provides all the comfort a foot in motion needs without the traditional stiffness. An application process utilizing TPU-coated yarn, FORGEFIBER is compressed across stretch-based mesh for strengthened support and stitched with three unique layers to reinforce Harden’s signature jab step, step-back and Eurostep.
Harden Vol. 2 features a customizable lacing system, equipped for personalized lockdown. Large scale mesh is utilized on the tongue for added breathability while a lace band stretches across the foot, bridging the upper for added containment.
COMFORT ON 100
Loaded with full-length BOOST cushioning, Harden Vol. 2 is designed with a wide base at the back of the foot to create stance and provide a balanced platform for Harden’s footwork in isolation. Midfoot grooves house a stability plate to reinforce torsion control, while the silhouette’s heel counter ensures durability and balance.
CUT IT UP
Embracing one of James’ favorite features of the Harden Vol. 1, the design team went back to the lab with advanced generative software to evolve the Harden Vol. 2 traction pattern. Derived from testing and data mapping of James’ on-court movements, a traction pattern was created to vary densities across the outsole and focus on Harden’s key zones for changing direction.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
Inspired by Harden’s love for Los Angeles. Created for the City of Angels. This is where Harden shaped his game and learned to dream. Harden Vol. 2 California Dreamin’ takes on the hues of a LA sunrise, featuring palm tree camo on the lace system, pastel green and purple accents, a chalk coral upper with orange FORGEFIBER threads and dark gray BOOST.
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CREATING SINCE DAY ONE
Allow us to take you back in time to October 1, 2015. The day James Harden was officially introduced into the adidas family with a truckload of new kicks and his first on-court pair of 3-Stripes, a limited triple white edition of Crazylight Boost 2015.
Paying homage to that unprecedented start and unique chapter on his journey to becoming a star, Harden Vol. 2 Day One represents the clean slate of a collaborative partnership. Further proving the point that since day one, we saw something in James that others didn’t.
