Just before the 2012 NBA Playoffs, Nike Basketball’s “Big Three” reached its collective peak. LeBron James, in his second year with the Miami Heat, was ready to avenge his Finals loss from a year ago. Kevin Durant, who spent the season re-defining the forward position, was ready to shock the world as the leader of a young and energetic squad. And Kobe Bryant, just two years removed from an NBA Title, gave us every reason to believe that he was going to notch his sixth title. Never before have we seen three players of untouchable talent elevate their games to new heights, but Nike was ready for this golden platform with the first-ever Nike Basketball Elite Series, an exclusive collection of signature basketball footwear that was on the cutting edge of performance technology and innovation.

Included in the inaugural Elite collection was the LeBron 9 Elite, Kobe 7 Elite, and Hyperdunk Elite. Kevin Durant had every reason to belong in that group (which is why a sample version of the KD 4 Elite existed), but his arrival would come a year later in 2013, which proved time perfectly with his first-ever NBA Finals appearance. With Nike unveiling the fourth collection of the heralded Elite series, we’ve chosen to look back at each of the pertaining models and examine the design details that truly separated them from the rest. Take a look back at the history of Nike Basketball ELITE below and stay tuned to Sneaker News for more updates on the just-unveiled class.

Above (left to right): LeBron 9 Elite (2012), LeBron 10 Elite (2013), LeBron 11 Elite (2014), LeBron 12 Elite (2015)

The LeBron

In 2012, LeBron James was in his second full season with the Miami Heat. The sting of a Finals loss to Dallas and the recovery from a what can be only described as a PR nightmare and full-on assault of his character had worn off. He was out to prove only to himself that he was a champion, and Nike was ready with the gear fit for an unstoppable man on a mission. The purpose of Elite? To give LeBron a competitve advantage through an uninterrupted focus on product innovation.

The LeBron 9 Elite would serve as a sign of things to come for future LeBron Elite models. The use of carbon fiber, the mesh film on the ankle, and the Pro Combat-inspired collar all served to make the shoe lighter and much more protective than the already high-powered LeBron 9 construction. What resulted in Elite was a supercharged package aimed to give LeBron a leg up, or better yet, widen the gap between himself and the rest of the NBA.

One consistent feature throughout the LeBron Elite series is the concept of weight reduction. The LeBron 9 Elite features the much-lighter carbon fiber, but also takes some Huarache ideology with the mesh film at the upper ankle. The LeBron 10 features diamond-shaped cutouts on the upper shell to reduce weight, while exposing the heel and forefoot counters.

The LeBron 11 Elite trimmed down the Posite bootie on the upper while exposing the the heel and forefoot, which were comprised of composite material that encased LeBron’s powerful feet. And the LeBron 12 Elite, which just unveiled today, also removes materials in an effort to maximize efficiency.

Above (left to right): Kobe 7 Elite (2012), Kobe 8 Elite (2013), Kobe 9 Elite (2014), Kobe 10 Elite (2015)

The Kobe

Kobe Bryant’s game was on an Elite level for many years before the Nike Elite series came to fruition. While the Lakers eventually fell out of contention for an NBA Championship thanks to the emergence of the next generation of basketball stars, Kobe’s game continued at the same level thanks to an incredible work ethic and murderous tenacity on and off the court. Injuries held Kobe back for a couple of years, but there was no doubting the supreme nature of the Kobe Elite series.

The Kobe Elite series served as a platform for Nike’s greatest advancements for the sport. The Kobe 7, which already boasted a modular system, received an incredible upgrade thanks to a carbon fiber heel counter and a composite upper that emanated the dangerous Black Mamba aura. But observing the following models proves that the Kobe is unmatched when it comes to being a bridge to the future.

On the Kobe 8 Elite, Nike evolved the Engineered Mesh upper while introducing Dynamic Flywire to the upper. The big jump to the future of the category occurred with the artful Kobe 9 Elite, which introduced Flyknit and a high-cut profile to the game of basketball. The Kobe 10 Elite builds off the merits of Flyknit with a thread constructed with recycled polyester yarn.

Kobe and Lakers out of the Playoffs this postseason, but the Kobe 10 Elite will be a major force during those key games. Several players around the league have pledged their allegiance to the Nike Kobe for years, so it won’t be a surprise to see important players for contending teams wear the Kobe on the court.

Above (left to right): KD 5 Elite (2013), KD 6 Elite (2014), KD 7 Elite (2015)

The KD

Of the entire Nike Elite series, the KD was the most re-inventive. Durant didn’t enter the realm of Elite until 2013, which proved to be rather timely considering his NBA Finals appearance. The KD 5 silhouette was drastically altered for the postseason, with a low-cut profile and a gorgeous visible Zoom unit providing that full-length support that KD needed.

The following year saw a continued approach to the full-length Zoom with the visible unit, but the true design prize is the exposed upper that mimicked the inner workings of a watch. To go from a clean, unibody construction in the KD 5 Elite to one that had all the layers in full view reflected Nike’s desire to fully disclose the details that made the shoe such a beast.

The KD 7 might be the most subtle transition from flagship to Elite; the sole structure remains the same (visible Zoom at the heel), but the upper embraces a full Hyperposite upper with perforations dotting the heel for ventilation and lightweight advantages. Underneath is Dynamic Flywire, which locks down for a tight fit.