Tag: NBA Shoes

It’s good to see Nike releasing Kobe sneakers again, but they’re totally doing it the wrong way

Nike’s Kobe sneakers are just as hard to get as they used to be.

Things in the sneaker world move fast, man. One moment, everyone can be elated and overjoyed at the thought of a drop. The next moment? That joy can immediately be cut off by the smallest of details.

That’s exactly what happened with the return of the late Kobe Bryant’s sneaker line to Nike.

Bryant’s signature shoe line was lost in the shuffle after Vanessa Bryant and the Bryant estate cut things off with the company when Bryant’s original deal expired. Vanessa was looking for a “lifetime” deal for the estate and didn’t receive it, so she moved on.

Nearly a year later, however, the two sides came back to the table and struck an agreement in March. The signature line was coming back and its first release would be the Mambacita Sweet 16 shoe honoring Gigi Bryant. The shoe had leaked before, but we never got it because the deal was done.

Clearly, things changed and now we were. Finally, another chance for Kobe fans to cop something to honor their fallen idol. People everywhere — sneakerheads and otherwise — were thrilled by this news.

Until Friday, that is.

Nike finally unveiled the shoes to the public via the SNKRS app. They come on May 1 to honor what would’ve been Gigi’s 16th birthday. They also feature a personal note in the packaging from Vanessa Bryant.

Along with this news and these images, though, Nike unveiled the release strategy for how they’d be distributing these joints. And this is the part that had people riled up.

The drop will come in two different ways.

The first one is via a SNKRS Pass, which is Nike’s geolocation-based release system. To qualify for a SNKRS pass on certain drops you have to live in certain areas where the specific shoe is being distributed. In the case of these Kobe’s, it’s in Los Angeles. So you’ll need to be there for the drop.

The second way is via exclusive access on the SNKRS app. This is the tricky one. Exclusive access is exactly what it sounds like — the shoe will be distributed to certain Nike customers who are selected by the algorithm on the app.

The goal is to get the shoes to Kobe’s biggest fans. How will the algorithm select them? Well, honestly, we have no idea. These were the best details we were given on that process.

“Who receives Exclusive Access will be determined by a combination of factors to ensure that pairs are going to Nike members, old and new, with a genuine passion for the game of basketball and Kobe Bryant’s signature line.” 

Confusing, right? But wait, there’s more. It also notes that exclusive access here is no guarantee for a pair. Your size might not be available and, also, they might just sell out before you can get a chance to buy them.

And now you see the problem with Nike’s exclusive access system. It’s unclear. There’s no transparency at work. We don’t know what the standards are or how that “genuine passion” is determined.

It all feels random and that’s so frustrating — especially when you consider the fact that Bryant’s shoes being so inaccessible was part of the reason things went left with the Bryant estate in the first place.

Here’s Vanessa Bryant on that back in 2020.

Yet, somehow, here we are again. This is supposedly a plan to get Kobe’s sneakers into the hands of more fans, but this doesn’t really feel like that at all.

Lots of fans are going to leave this drop empty-handed and frustrated. Really, it feels like we’re right back at square one. And that’s such a shame because all people want to do is celebrate Kobe and Gigi Bryant.

Someday soon, hopefully, they’ll be able to. Maybe without having to be chosen by Nike.

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Klay Thompson drops Bruce Lee themed colorway for his Anta KT6 signature shoes

Before he makes his highly-anticipated return to the court, Klay Thompson will be wearing a new set of Bruce Lee themed Anta KT6 shoes.

Before he makes his long-awaited return to the Golden State Warriors starting lineup, Klay Thompson is dropping a new pair of kicks. With his new set of signature shoes, the Warriors three-time All-Star will be honoring a martial arts legend.

According to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, Thompson is releasing a new pair of his Anta KT6 signature shoe with a Bruce Lee theme. The new pair of kicks are primarily yellow with black accents — a perfect match for the Golden State Warriors uniforms.

Along with the Lee themed colorway, there’s a quote from the famous martial arts movie star striped on one side of the shoe. The KT6 “Dragon” reads, “water can flow or crash, be water my friends.”

Via @NickDePaula on Twitter:

Check out the shoes available here.

Thompson isn’t the first NBA star to don a Lee themed basketball shoes. Both Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving have released a Lee centric colorway for their Nike signatures shoes.

During the Los Angeles Lakers run to an NBA title inside the Orlando Bubble, Kentucky Wildcats product Anthony Davis donned Bryant’s version of the “Bruce Lee” Nike shoes.

Via @brkicks on Twitter:

Here is a look at Irving’s take on Lee themed Nike kicks.

Via @nicekicks on Twitter:

On day of his sneaker release, P.J. Tucker remembers Kobe Bryant

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you, man,” Tucker wrote. “Wearing your shoes always makes me feel like you’re still here…”

On Friday, Sept. 25, a special P.J. Tucker edition of the retro Nike Kobe 5 Protro sneaker officially hit the retail market.

Long known as the NBA’s unofficial “Sneaker King,” the 35-year-old Tucker recently shared his great joy at the news of having his own customized version of one of his favorite basketball shoes of all-time.

“It’s my true dream,” the Houston Rockets veteran told Complex.

On Friday’s release day, Tucker took to Instagram to compose a heartfelt message of gratitude to the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, who inspired the original shoe when it was released in 2009-10. Tucker wrote:

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you, man. Wearing your shoes always makes me feel like you’re still here, even if just in spirit.

Nah, this isn’t a sad post at all. Today, I’m smiling hard [because] one of my dreams became a reality, and I’m forever grateful for everything, big homie. Thank you. 🙏🏽🖤🐍 #mambaforever

After the sneaker, a second photo shows Tucker (then with the Phoenix Suns) embracing Bryant after his final career game versus Kobe in 2016.

Earlier this year, Tucker joined teammates James Harden and Russell Westbrook for a day trip to Los Angeles for Bryant’s memorial service. Even though they had a game in Houston that night (and their flight arrived back only minutes before tipoff), Tucker said he had to be there.

It meant everything. For me, it was a no-brainer. We had a chance to actually be there. One of the best memorials I’ve ever been to.

It was amazing all the love, and the outpouring from the fans. Everything around the whole event was amazing.

It was super emotional for everybody in there. To see how strong his family was, to see literally everybody from all walks of his life being there, it was amazing.

In postgame comments from a Jan. 26 game just hours after Bryant’s shocking death, Tucker called it one of the toughest days of his life.

During his legendary 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion; an 18-time All-Star; a two-time Olympic gold medalist; and an MVP, among his numerous accolades.

Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three other daughters. He was 41 years old at the time of his January death.

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Eric Paschall shares a look at his shoe collection with new Instagram dedicated to kicks

During the Golden State Warriors extended offseason, Eric Paschall built a new Instagram that features his vast basketball shoe collection.

While the league focuses on the postseason’s Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors are busy with their offseason. While he’s got an extended layoff from the court, Eric Paschall is refining his shoe collection.

The rookie built a new Instagram page to display his shoe game. Paschall has shared a look at the growth of his kick catalog. The 6-foot-6 forward has posted photos featuring Off White Air Jordan 1s and Kobe Bryant’s signature Nikes.

Via @epfeets on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

3 newest pick ups!

A post shared by Eric Paschall (@epfeets) on

 

Between posts about his own compilation of shoes, Paschall has posed questions about different signature sneakers.

View this post on Instagram

Best number Jordan?! I go with Jordan 1’s

A post shared by Eric Paschall (@epfeets) on

Follow Paschall’s sneaker page @epfeets on Instagram.

Along with new shoes, Paschall has picked up some honors during the offseason. After an impressive debut season in the Bay Area, the Villanova product was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. Paschall also received third-place votes in the NBA’s race for Rookie of the Year.

Before he can lace-up with a pair of shoes from his collection, Paschall will have to wait for the Warriors to return to Chase Center at the start of the 2020-21 season.

Marquese Chriss submits his pick for player with best shoe game on the Warriors

Marquese Chriss has high praise of Eric Paschall’s shoe game.

While game action is on pause, a popular time-filler for players around the association is interactive Q&A segments with fans. After Stephen Curry and Eric Paschall stepped in front of the camera, another member of the Golden State Warriors was served up questions by fans on Twitter.

The former lottery pick shared what he’s learning from Curry and Draymond Green along with his favorite memory since joining the Warriors. Chriss was then asked to pick his teammate with the best shoe game.

While some members of the Warriors have signature shoe deals, Chriss selected a rookie for Golden State’s kick king. The former Washington Husky said he would steal shoes from Paschall if they wore the same size.

Via @NBA on Twitter:

My teammate with the best NBA kicks — probably would have to be Eric [Paschall]. I think he probably has the most diversity with his shoes. I think if we wore the same size, I’d probably steal some of his shoes.

Paschall was appreciative of his teammate’s choice.

Via @epaschall on Twitter:

After getting drafted in the second round by the Warriors, Paschall signed an endorsement deal with Nike. Throughout his first season in Golden State, the Villanova product has pulled out a bevy of kicks with the swoosh. Paschall’s been seen wearing different Kobe Bryant and LeBron James signature Nikes.

 Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When the Warriors return for the final 17 games of the season, Paschall will have some pressure to defend his shoe game title.

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Watch: Converse debuts ‘welcome to the family’ commercial for Draymond Green

Converse officially welcomed Draymond Green to the family.

After spending the first seven years of his career donning the Nike swoosh, Draymond Green has a new shoe deal. The former Defensive Player of the Year signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Converse. Green, along with Phoenix Suns guard Kelly Oubre Jr. will take over as the leaders Converse’s basketball brand.

Green has yet to debut his new Converse shoes on the court as he’s been absent from the past five games due to lingering knee soreness. Once Green returns to the Golden State Warriors, he’s expected to lace up the Converse G4 shoe.

While there’s still a wait for Green’s in-game shoe debut, Converse released a “welcome to the family” commercial for the Michigan State product.

Via @Converse:

If healthy, Green’s next chance to suit up in his new Converse will be Tuesday when Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers come to Chase Center in San Francisco.

Report: ‘Sneaker King’ P.J. Tucker nears new Nike endorsement deal

Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker is close to signing a new endorsement deal with Nike, CNBC’s Jabari Young reports.

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Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker is close to signing a new endorsement deal with Nike, CNBC‘s Jabari Young reports.

The 34-year-old has been with Nike throughout his extended NBA career, but his prior deal expired Oct. 1.

Young reports:

Tucker also received interest from Puma, Adidas and New Balance, his agent Andre Buck of Arete Sports Agency confirmed in an interview. The 34-year-old player is expected to command a multiyear, six-figure sneaker deal that would be the largest endorsement deal of his career.

“He’s been happy with the level of interest from the various brands,” Buck added when contacted by CNBC. “So much of the sneaker culture, even beyond basketball, is a part of his life.”

In 14 games to begin the new 2019-20 NBA season, Tucker is averaging 9.9 points (53.2% shooting, 47.5% on three-pointers) and 6.6 rebounds in 34.9 minutes per game. He’s seen by many as Houston’s most valuable and versatile defensive player.

However, he’s probably best known to the masses for his fashion sense, both on and off the court. As far as basketball shoes, Young estimates that Tucker — often referred to as the NBA’s “Sneaker King” — has more than 5,000 pairs in his collection.

What makes Tucker’s endorsement deal unique is the diversity of his collection and the extensive online following that it has generated for him. Based on that, Nike has allowed Tucker access to their complete vault of sneakers — as opposed to one specific shoe or line, as is the case with most players. From Young’s story:

“They’re selling products, so they want you to wear certain things,” Tucker told CNBC in an interview last month. “But for me, they let me wear anything I want. Everybody can’t do that, especially if you’re under contract.

“With that blessing,” Tucker said he can wear a variety of lines, including the Kobe Bryant 4 model, his all-time favorite game-sneakers.

Young says the deal should be a multi-year pact worth “six figures,” which would be the largest endorsement deal of Tucker’s career.

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