The NBA has been notorious over the years for its culture when it comes to superstars’ signature shoes. We have decided to make a top 10 of the athletes with the best signature shoes in the contemporary NBA. And we are going to count down to this:
10. Damian Lillard
Not many saw Dame’s ascendence so quickly. As a matter a fact, in just his second year in the league Adidas signed him up and offered him his first signature shoe contract for the Adidas D Lillard 1. Not long after, the second edition was released with some improved models ( + boost at the All Star game ) that emerged Lillard in the business.
9. Jimmy Butler
If Damian Lillard is a rare case of unseen ascendence, then Jimmy Butler has to be even a bigger one. A fantastic season so far for the Bulls’ guard set him for his first signature shoe in October – Jordan xx9 low Jimmy Butler. Soon after, Jordan have released last week the fresh xx9 high top regarding his performances with Michael’s beloved franchise. With a silhouette color dedicated to the team and with his signature style on it, the new model boxed out immediately ,launching him on nr. 9 in our top list.
8. Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose has been a controversial character in the NBA for the past few seasons due to his season-ending injuries. The former 2011 MVP hasn’t retrieved his confidence,skills and explosiveness back because he just might be a single injury away from his career to end. However, the million dollar contracts didn’t stop and Adidas still designed his famous high toped D Rose (1,2,3,4,5 and 6 with 773 and boost concepts) -not to mention his MVP special sneaker. Undoubtedly, with a lot of nonconformist models, Rose is still a superstar in this league and a icon.
7. Russell Westbrook
In today’s NBA, when we talk about an athletic point guard, first name that comes into our minds is Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook is recognized as one of the league’s fashion icons due to his nonconformist style. Not only he does have some intriguing Jordan xx9 and xxx signature models, including the Cosmos xxx, but he is one of the few athletes to create a casual shoe line : Westbrook 0 and 1. The Westbrook 1 is his signature Air Jordan 1 Retro shoe while the Westbrook 0 is what propels him in the top – 6 different colors successfully combining leather and suede with white sol for a catchy and good-looking shoe.
6. John Wall
John Wall is considered by many as just second to Westbrook when it comes to athleticism at the point guard position today. Not just his amazing performances on the court made him more popular among the fans, but the Adidas silhouettes with his name on them also made an impact. Flashy models is what Adidas has accustomed us with by John Wall 1 & 2 lines. Further, we should also expect some boost models for the possible John Wall 3’s while John Wall would become an even bigger face for Adidas.
5. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is one of the fans’ favorite because of his offensive minded style of play and his attitude. In fact, Melo has been a Jordan athlete since his first days in the league (now reaching his 12th collection of Jordan Melo’s). Even though it’s been some time since he signed up with Jordan for his signature shoes, it was the Melo M11 that finally set him apart others and propelled him in the sneaker industry. With a fantastic design, sick color combinations and the huge cheeky Jordan logo on the back, the Melo’s M11 have been one of the best selling signature shoes of the last 2 years. More, in December the new collection M12 was released and let’s just say it didn’t disappoint at all.
4. Chris Paul
Along with his fellow friend that’s upper on the list, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul is the most popular Jordan athlete in the league making famous the one and only collection Jordan CP3. With a nice layout, always colorful and a recognizable low concept the CP3’s have been a powerhouse in the NBA sneaker world since its first model. Not to mention that they are one of the most affordable pair of signature sneakers, which of course means that they have always been among the best sellers. Designed by Tom Luedecke, the reviews over the years have been fantastic when it comes to on-court performance, suitability and looks.
3. Kevin Durant
TOP 3!! Yes, it was impossible not to include Kevin Durant in the list since his Nike KD’s have flourished in the past few seasons. Widely recognized as the second ,to LeBron, best player in the world it wasn’t much time until he did win an MVP (2014), which he celebrated by debuting a special MVP KD 6.Always a pleasant moment when Nike releases new models due to its form and simplicity ,at first, but it is its layout that really makes the difference. A Leo Chang masterpiece, the KD’s 6,7 and 8 are slowly but surely becoming classics along with his 2 elite models.
2. Kobe Bryant
Where do we even start? Kobe Bryant, not only he will remain in history as a player but oh boy, when it comes to signature shoes, he was also an icon! The black mamba signed up with Nike years ago and together they managed to make the biggest collection of signature shoes an NBA athlete could have. Probably the Kobe’s are the most spread shoes in the league because to be honest…they’re just amazing! From high tops to low, plastic to silk or leather, all the colors and layouts you could possibly imagine, all under one name – Nike Kobe. More, Nike Kobe’s were the first to debut the famous flyknit material, which is now used in several other Nike sneakers. Besides Kobe managing to create his own dynasty on the court; Tom Luedecke, Eric Avar and co. took care of his signature shoe part which might as well describe perfectly his greatness.
1. LeBron James
NO. 1 pick: LeBron “King” James! Probably the obvious choice given the fact that he is considered by most of us the best player of our generation and one that will surely write pages in the NBA greatness book. But I must say: King on the pitch; King in the shoe industry nowadays because it doesn’t get any flashier than this. Nike LeBron’s have revolutionized the basketball shoes industry in a way that no one has ever done it, other than the likes of Michael Jordan: LeBron’s from 1 to 13 low and mid, Zoom Soldier till 9, numerous elite models, All Star game silhouettes that are out of this world and 4 MVP specials. Nike managed to sign up LeBron since his day one in the league by outbidding Adidas for a young fella who seemed like the next face of the Nike basketball and, recently, they renewed his contract for a lifetime one worth half a billion dollars… just crazy numbers! But I guess it worked out well for them and it will the same in future because there is no one out there right now that can dethrone the King when it comes to contracts and signature shoes. Overall, a deserving first place for LeBron James with his amazingly designed shoes by Jason Petrie.
One of the most famous Air Jordan silhouette returns with a new model on 20 February.
hype-o-potamus 