Don’t be sad.
The NBA regular season officially ended last night but didn’t go quietly kicks-wise. The night was a snapshot of the whole season – players from across the talent and star spectrum balling in high-profile, attention-grabbing shoes. Anything went this year, making every day, every game, a shoe shocker.
Gilbert Arenas set the tone early by unearthing new shoes almost daily from his bottomless collection. Players like LeBron, D-Rose and Kobe wore multiple editions and/or colorways of their sigs, while the likes of Courtney Lee and Nate Robinson alternated current and retro. Even workmanlike players such as Othyus Jeffers and Dominic McGuire laced up showy Air Jordans.
And as much as the regular season was a sneaker story, it was also a tale about brands breaking into the market or reemerging from exile. Upstarts Li-Ning and PEAK made huge strides to bring their products to a new league/country, Under Armour officially made a name for itself as a serious player, and Reebok stepped back into the spotlight on the feet of John Wall. This regular season had it all for the sneaker watcher and, if nothing else, tipped us on what the sneaker industry will bring in the coming years.
Speaking of the regular season, its finale had some highlights we need to check out: Jarrett Jack unboxing a Hornets-flavored Nike Zoom KD III, Eric Bledsoe’s “Entourage” LeBron V/2, Aaron Brooks in Black/Purple/Orange Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low, DaJuan Summers in the suede “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12, Courtney Lee in Black/Cement 3 and Nate Robinson reaching back for the French Blue Air Jordan 12.
Plus, who knows what the playoffs hold?
So let us not tarry! NBA Kicks – Final Regular Season Edition – ahead…
