Nike Unveils Kevin Durant Red Velvet Cupcake-Themed Sneakers

Kevin Durant doesn't appear to mind the "cupcake" taunts. In honor of the newly minted NBA champion, Nike released KDX Red Velvet sneakers.

The Nike website description compares Durant's game to the tasty treat.  

"With a style of play as smooth as velvet, KD is known for having the most fluid game in the game today. Effortlessly making defenders look helpless, always ready to cook his next victim. He dominates the game with unrivaled versatility, forever motivated by the sweet taste of victory. At the end of the day, winning is all that matters and anything else is just icing on the cake. The KDX Red Velvet celebrates the smoothest player in the game and his undying quest for the sweet taste of victory."

The food metaphor is not the only layer here. When Durant joined the Golden State Warriors on July 4, 2016, former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook posted a photo of cupcakes on Instagram. Although it seemed like an innocent Independence Day celebration at the time, Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins later wrote that Westbrook and Durant used "cupcake" to mean "soft." 

Opponents and fans teased him with cupcake insults, but Durant wore a hat with a ring sitting atop the treat after winning the NBA Finals. 

Per Nike, the shoes will cost $150 and become available for sale on Friday.

[Nike]