The collaboration between Puma and LaMelo Ball has all the makings of a success story. Launched in 2021, the Hornets point guard's signature line quickly found its audience. Even though Lonzo Ball's little brother plays in a small market, and he hasn't yet managed to qualify his team for the playoffs, particularly due to recurring injuries, the mayonnaise has taken and the collection has continued to grow.
The MB.03 was one of the best pairs released on the market last season in terms of performance, while continuing its style guideline with ever more “flashy” and original models. Yesterday, it was the turn of the MB.04 to be officially presented by Puma, a model on which we find the same DNA as on the previous shoes, with ever more patterns and details to dress the mesh upper, between the usual logos and ornaments present on the tongue in particular such as the Phoenix, the “1 of 1”, and new inscriptions to accompany in particular the “RARE” present here at the base of the laces.
Lots of winks
We can thus decipher a “MELO” on the sole, a “Love” on the upper, just above two “PWR Tape” strips acting on the support, or even “1 of One”. An additional particularity this year: each shoe has its own codes.
“Details and “Easter eggs” (for “hidden details”) scattered throughout the design are the key features of this shoe, the ones I like the most. It was a great challenge to create two asymmetrical and therefore different left and right shoes while remaining coherent,” explained Jeremy Salle, design manager for PUMA Hoops. “The inspiration was based on the idea of ‘Be Melo’. Children love Melo and many of them want to be like him. It’s basically an idea of symbiosis. The child puts on the shoe and is enveloped by all of Melo’s attributes, rarities and uniqueness.”
On the technical side, the MB.04 benefits from 4D printing technology, in order to improve the durability and breathability of the shoe. The sole is still in molded EVA providing the comfort and responsiveness that we know.
The MB.04 will be officially released on September 12th at a price of 130 euros (110 euros in junior sizes), probably in this first sky blue and white colorway. To accompany this event, Puma will also release a new colorway of the lifestyle model “LaFrancé 1of1”, which will be sold at 120 euros, with the same mainly blue colorway, as well as a range of clothing, all available at Basket4Ballers.
