Review: LEGO Nike Dunk Trickshot (43021)

A Trickshot or a Cheap Shot?

As I had predicted in our last review, I was certain that LEGO were going to be headlining a new collab with Nike. We got one set from before, but with the arrival of two more, how is this theme going? Last time, I said that this felt like more of an advertisement than a product, but how does the LEGO Nike Dunk Trickshot hold up in comparison? How does this set do in the court after the first half? Read on!

The Model

The LEGO Nike Dunk Trickshot is an intended-for-display model, defined by the clear cut away of street scape basketball court and nice rear wall art. Each of the Nike sets so far have given us a mix of uncommon colour palettes for the theme, which is a refreshing take for LEGO.

The shoe itself is a nice small build more akin to the small creator 3-in-1 sets. There are some great techniques used to give the subtle incline towards the centre of the shoe. Interestingly, a bar technique inside to create the angle. I’m sure shoe collectors would love to have this added to the collection regardless.

One of the more underrated parts of the model, I like is the splashback. It isn’t overwhelming and sets a great range of static motion in the set.

The Function

So I might have stopped reading the instructions before the part that pointed out how this works…

My initial thought was that you dunk the ball with the Minifigure attached to the shoe. And here is me wondering why the ball wont detach from the LEGO Minifigures hand and dunk.

But no, what you are meant to do is remove the shoe off the stand, and use the LEGO Technic frame to shoot! I also discovered this after taking my photos… sorry!

This LEGO Technic frame work however is quite light. So it doesn’t automatically reset itself, you need to do it manually. Not a problem really. It’s a fun play feature, but not something that will engage you for a long period.

The Minifigure

The set comes with one LEGO Minifigure, which does come with two heads to select feminine or masculine.

The torso of the figure also features a hoodie detail akin to ‘Nike Drip’ which is another one of Nike’s products as well. As far as the figure goes, it’s pretty solid for the price range of this set. I definitely like the more ‘street’ styled LEGO Minfigures for this theme than the basketball ones, funnily enough.

Verdict

Overall, this set is definitely the better of the two that debut this month.

But I still can’t shift past the weird feeling of what this is supposed to represent. This doesn’t feel like it inspires play, but more an advertisement for the shoe brand.

I can’t deny that I am nostalgic for the early 2000’s LEGO basketball line that they made, and the play function is great.

The one thing I am not a fan of here is, funnily enough, the shoe.

If we were to pivot the set vision a little bit, make the slam dunk function still work (but no shoe), add a figure or two – great! It’s street basketball, you could swap the characters around and it’s a quick fun set to show friends and play with. Just like the early 2000’s sets. But the moment you introduce that moment of play and function with a shoe? The magic is lost. Why is the shoe here? Why is important?

This is a display set, and a functional set for kids? Yes – but it’s an advertisement. And as a dad, for that reason, I can’t recommend it.

What I would love is rather than advertise to kids like this that LEGO made a playset about street basketball instead.