I’m back with more photos of NBA feet, as promised! Click here to read part one.
Caron Butler + Nike Air Max Closer V: A basic sneaker, but a nice, clean shoe right here. The way the patent leather wraps around gives it a Jordan XI type of look, and Caron’s “3D” insignia on the tongue is a nice touch. At first glance I couldn’t figure out why in the world Caron would have “3D” stitched onto his kicks. He doesn’t wear #3 anymore, and there’s no “D” in his initials. A quick google search revealed the meaning: Dedication, Determination, and Discipline. Three of my favorite words right there. I like it, Caron! Also, shout-out to NikeTalker kiddwill58 for helping me ID these damn things.
Josh Smith + Adidas Pro Model: Adidas comes out with a new version of this shoe every year, and I always hate it. It’s the official shoe of the 6’5, unathletic, lanky, I-play-soccer-in-the-fall-and-basketball-in-the-winter white kid (no racist, I’m white; it’s just that my people lack swag at times). The shape is bad, the rubber toe looks stupid, and the three stripes don’t help it’s cause. About the only thing it’s got going for it is that Antoine Walker once shimmied in a pair. All of that being said, dare I say Josh Smith rocks this red/navy colorway of the newest Pro Models? Can’t even lie… this is the first pair of Pro Models I’ve ever liked.
LeBron James + Nike LeBron 9, Chris Bosh + Nike Air Max Hyperize 2011, Dwyane Wade + Air Jordan Fly Wade 2: Miami’s big guns brought the HEAT! Well, minus D-Wade. I’m not feeling the Fly Wade 2 at all. I don’t like the design (very generic), the shape (looks big and clunky from certain angles), or that logo on the tongue (looks like a blob). They remind me of an old pair of AND1s–and not the Tai Chis. Remember these damn things? Covering the side of a shoe with holes was an AND1 thing, JB. Anyway, LBJ’s signatures are always nice, and these Bosh PEs are clean. I dig the yellow laces; they match the trim on the jersey and add a little flair.
Eric Bledsoe + Nike LeBron 9, Mo Williams + Nike Zoom Kobe VI: I guess I already touched on the LeBron 9s, but I’ll say it again: Nike has never produced a LeBron signature that I didn’t like. MJ obviously impacted the shoe game in a way that may never be matched, but had LeBron stayed in Cleveland and won some titles I could’ve seen his line phasing into a “new Air Jordan” role at some point. Now that he might be as widely hated as he is loved, this obviously won’t be happening… but it certainly has nothing to do with the shoes themselves. His kicks are always fire. As for the Kobe VIs… I’m not a huge fan, but I must admit that they do look pretty nice in red and white. Also, take note of Bledsoe’s Polo socks. That’s what I’d call a subtle yet stand-out touch, if that makes any sense. Like, it’s a little thing that you probably don’t notice at first, but once you do you can’t say his swag would be the same without it. I wonder if that was an intentional addition of swag or if he didn’t get his laundry done in time.
Tyson Chandler + Nike Hyperdunk 2011, Carmelo Anthony + Air Jordan Melo M8, Amare Stoudemire + Nike Air Max Sweep Thru: Looks like TC didn’t have any Knicks kicks yet, but man, that’s no excuse to rock some navy blue joints… just rock a pair of white-on-white forces or something. That’s blatantly a Mavericks colorway; not a good look. Anyway, Amare helps take attention away from Tyson’s tomfoolery with that two-tone cross strap on his Air Max Sweep Thrus… that sh!t is tight (both figuratively and litterally, I’d imagine)! I don’t know how much I like ‘em in virtually all blue, but mix a little more black and white in there and you’ve got yourself a hot shoe. As for Melo, I like the M8s. They won’t turn any heads, but they aren’t ugly, either. They look a helluvalot better than the Fly Wades, that’s for sure.
Kevin Durant + Nike Zoom KD IV: My favorite Durant kicks are still the KD IIs (wearing the black ones as I type this), but these are nice too. I love the strap, the clear sh!t on the sides, and the massive KD logo on the back. These would look awesome with some clear soles to match that material on the upper. I have a funny feeling KD’s gonna be doing big things in these shoes this season…
I’ll be back with another six (or so) pairs tomorrow! Some teams didn’t have their media day until this afternoon, so new photos are still surfacing. Here’s a little sneak peek at part three.
