Ahead of the 2020-21 NBA Eastern Conference Finals’ Game 4, NIKE, Inc. has unveiled the Nike Zoom Freak 3, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest signature sneaker.

Akin to other recent propositions from Nike Basketball (i.e. Zoom G.T. Cut), the Milwaukee Bucks forward’s next shoe is about creating and attacking space in a new, more effective way. To this front, the model’s design team developed a handful of updates between the “Greek Freak’s” third and second signature sneakers. The most recent style maintains a low-top shape, but the internal set-up is also close to the ground, enabling tighter control via closer ground-feel. As with Antetokounmpo’s previous silhouettes, the forthcoming addition includes Zoom Air units under the ball of the foot to aid in energy absorption and provide responsiveness.

“One of the hallmarks of his athleticism is transferring energy quickly from leg to leg to maneuver his body through gaps,” says Sr. Creative Director for Men’s Performance Footwear at Nike, Ross Klein. “[Giannis] also works all different angles of his foot as he’s driving to the basket, so we wanted to contour the design to fit the way he transitions from step to step.”

A quick glance at the upper reveals notable changes from the Zoom Freak 2. An engineered fabric stretches across the entirety of the shoe’s top-half, delivering improved breathability while keeping the 26-year-old’s foot contained. The new strap across the forefoot ensures his center of gravity doesn’t slide over the footbed, which is necessary for a game that relies on physical dominance and shortening the gap between body and basket with moves like the Euro step. Lastly, the multi-directional pattern on the outsole draws inspiration from past tried-and-proven Nike Basketball designs, a roster on which Giannis has unquestionably already left his mark.

But the most interesting thing is that P.J. Tucker debuted the Nike Zoom Freak 3 before Giannis! What do you think about that?