.png){kind=small}
We’re past the NBA All-Star break and only about 20 games or so remain in the NBA season. Throughout the year we have seen players feature many different styles of signature shoes.
This season I was able to pick up Steph Curry’s Blue and Yellow signature shoe and Kobe’s 10 Elite High Top “American” Themed shoe. During the past couple of months I’ve created a list of more signature shoe releases. I’ve also created a list of possible NBA players who are next up to get their own signature shoe.
Kyrie 2 - Nike
Kyrie’s 2nd signature shoe, “The Effect” released sooner than I expected (December 15th, 2015). He timed it almost simultaneously with his return to the court (December 19th, 2015). Kyrie’s shoe this year features a low-to-the-ground dribbling, which has his feet at an angle to the hardwood, so this rounded shoe provides him with maximum traction, which is an absolute must for his darting style of play. The design of this shoe features a unique tie-dye-esque blasts of color and has a unique circle design. This version of the Kyrie 2s that released to retail stores on December 15th were considered a “Pre-Heat” edition before the “Inferno” style, which released on January 1st 2016. The “Inferno” style is similar to the “Effect” version but the Inferno style is offered in multiple colors, Black and Red, Black and Green, and White and Blue. My personal favorite is the Red and Black. You can also purchase the Kyrie 2 ID and customize it on Nike.com ranging from $160-$185 depending on which version you chose.
James Harden – Adidas
After locking up his two-hundred-million dollar shoe contract with Adidas this past summer, James Harden’s signature shoe has become available for retail purchase. The first new Adidas shoe that Harden featured wearing on-court this year was the “Triple White” Crazylight Boost 2015 PE. “The Triple White colorway, which represents the clean slate of the Adidas James Harden partnership and the unlimited possibilities ahead.” These shoes were only limited to 100 pairs. The best bet is if you want a pair of these is to buy them off eBay but they will cost you a lot. I ran a completed items search on eBay of what the most recent pair sold for and saw one pair sold for $650, which was pair number 66 of 100. These shoes released December 17th 2015, with a retail of price of $140 but I’m sure they were only limited to very few retailers, and the official release time was announced on @adidasHoops Twitter account at the time. In the future, I could see more NBA stars with limited edition signature shoes being released similar to this shoe. This one is very exclusive though because it's Harden’s first on-court signature shoe. Harden also wore another signature shoe during the 2016 NBA All-Star game, this style is called the “Aurora Borealis” Crazylight Boost 2.5 PE. These were limited when trying to purchase in retail stores because there is no set quantity on how many were actually released. They’re a lot more obtainable than the “Triple White”, these retail on eBay for $150-$175 range if you’re interested in buying Harden’s All-Star shoes.
Jimmy Butler – Jordan
Jimmy Buckets is having another stellar season, averaging a career high 22 points per game, and this has earned him his own signature shoe. The Air Jordan 29 (XX9) Low “Jimmy Buckets” released to select Jordan brand retailers on February 24th, 2016. The shoe retails for $199.99 and has a Chicago Bulls theme to it featured in Red and Red/Black, the Fly-weave upper sports a black and red elephant pattern with red leather heel panels complete with 3-D “23” on the heels. The Jimmy Buckets logo is found on the right shoe’s tongue to finish them off. A nice first signature shoe of Jimmy Buckets, which could be hard to purchase. Jimmy Buckets has also released his own clothing line that go with the shoes, if you can’t afford the shoes I’d settle for the clothes. I would look to buy his shoes online as soon as possible.If you want to purchase them, the Jimmy Buckets shoes are already selling for $290.00 on eBay.
Russell Westbrook - Jordan
Russ has been known to wear many different outfits prior to arriving to a game. His breakout performance at the end of last season, putting up a number of different triple doubles earned him his own signature shoe with Jordan. The Jordan Westbrook 0, which was released this past July, but this shoe has since featured many more colorways that have become available over the last seven months. The most recent being the premium black leather upper with ostrich texture and metallic gold accents, which represents Black History Month “BHM.” This shoe features premium leather with exotic embossed details for a sleek look webbed lacing system for a locked-down fit. I like the look the shoe because it’s something that has a casual feel to it and not just designed to play basketball in. The Jordan Westbrook 0 retails for $199.99 and is offered in many different colors, which include Red and White, Black and White, Gray and White, and more. Russ has also featured this season a pair of Air Jordan 29 “Russell Westbrook”, they’re only available in Europe in Asia and haven’t released in the United States yet to retailers. One pair on eBay recently sold for $279.99 from Taiwan. Russ has also featured and promoted the newest pair of Jordans, the 30’s (XXX) that retail for $199.99, which released on February 12th, 2016.
Anthony Davis – Nike
Anthony Davis, who is arguably the best overall big in the NBA has received his own signature shoe this season called the Nike Air Max Audacity, which released in early December The Nike Air Max Audacity version is offered in a Pelicans Red and Gold or a Blue and Black colorway. You can purchase this shoe from Nike retailers or Footlocker retailers. The shoe retails for $110, and there is also Nike Air Max Audacity PE edition of this shoe. The PE edition is a little more expensive ($125 range), but the superior choice. This version features a Pelican-friendly colorway with a white Hyperfuse upper with navy and gold accents and Davis’ #23 on the heels. The upper part of the shoe is complimented by a speckled midsole and marbled outsole for unique touches to the PE colorway. Some other features of the shoe include a max air unit in the heel, providing maximum impact protection, and breathable upper has overlays in high-wear areas for durability.
Andrew Wiggins – Adidas
Andrew Wiggins fresh off his Rookie of the Year campaign, opened season two with his own signature shoe from Adidas called the “Crazylight Boost 2015.” This shoe is designed for full-speed assaults on the hard court, blending a light and fast design with bold looks. Also, it has a prime-knit for fit and enhanced breathability, and comfortable textile lining. Wiggins’s shoe is available in a number of different colorways which include Timberwolves Dark Blue with Black and White, All Orange, All Yellow and more. Personally I like the T-Wolves blue version the best. The shoe retails for $130 and can be purchased at Footlocker or Adidas.com
Paul George – Nike
PG is rumored to be the next guy to have his own signature shoe, and should be sooner rather than later. George has had his own All-Star signature shoe this season available for public purchase. His All-Star shoe is called the Nike Hyperlive and retails for $109.99, this shoe is featured in a number of different colorways Red and Black, Black and Gray, Gray and White, Blue and Gray, All Red, and All Pink. PG has also worn his own custom made Nike Hyperdunk Low PE and PES this season. I’d expected PG to have his own signature shoe available for public purchase next season. He has made appearances for Nike going on tour to promote their products and could become the next NBA player from Nike to have his own shoe. PG is averaging about 23 points per game this season, which is a career high, and in my opinion is a top 15 player overall in the league.
Which players will have their own signature shoes next season? If I had to guess I would say a couple of players are on the brink of getting their own shoe. Karl-Anthony Towns is one choice, he’s bound to win the Rookie of the Year award, and already a top center in the game at just 20 years old. Kristaps Porzingis is also a guy who could land his own shoe deal because he’s playing in a big market in New York, and is one of the more exciting younger players in the league. DeMar DeRozan could land a shoe deal very soon as well, he is one of the more underrated players in the league averaging over 23 points this season and is a pending free agent. Perhaps some love for defense and Kawhi Leonard? Leonard who won Defensive Player of the Year last season is putting up over 20 points per game, and could land a shoe deal soon in my opinion. Lastly, I would say Draymond Green because he’s getting a lot more hype this season with his game and putting up an insane amount of triple-double games. Green has also appeared in commercials with Kevin Hart, which has given him a lot more publicity.
Who are you picks that will land a shoe deal? Or who would you like to see get their own signature shoe next?
Info courtesy of Sneakernews.com, Nike.com, and Footlocker.com