Nike 'Westbrook 0 Black' Release Date, Pics and Retail Price

Every NBA superstar has a signature shoe, so it's only fitting that Nike is giving Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook his first publicly released sneaker on July 11 with the "Westbrook 0 Black."

Unlike a lot of player-endorsed shoes, Westbrook's won't immediately catch the eye with a fancy design. Therein lies the genius behind it, as some of the best shoes are deceptively simple. 

Before diving into what makes the Westbrook 0 Black special, let's take a closer look at the shoe and its design.

The lead photograph provides a good view of the shoe from an oblique angle, so here's what it looks like from a side angle:

What's different about the shoe that really comes across from this view is its hybrid design, which includes crocodile-inspired embossing and elements of old-school, high-top basketball sneakers. 

Here's another look at the sleek design with the sun bouncing off the dark black color, via IcySole.com:

There's a pleasantness in the way Nike and Westbrook have combined their sensibilities for this shoe. 

Sir Lucas Leftfoot of NikeBlog.com offered this brief synopsis of the Westbrook 0 Black:

The black leather upper is split between a croc-embossed mudguard and the tumbled variety through the midfoot and collar, while metallic gold lace-dubrets and a clean white midsole perfectly contrast, keeping the colorway dressed-up in its understatement. It’s a perfect fit, really, considering Russ’s is the rare NBA signature shoe that’s a lifestyle design, rather than a basketball model.

The Thunder star is a flashy player who can do incredible things on the court, but his simple and elegant game puts him among the NBA's elite. 

Westbrook's debut signature shoe is a perfect blend of the things that make him such a fascinating talent.

This is also one of the rare basketball sneakers that can be worn with any attire. It's got the casual look to be worn walking outdoors or during a pickup game of basketball. 

That duality only adds to the Westbrook 0 Black's value and makes this a solid long-term investment in a cluttered sneaker landscape.