In the NBA, every game counts. The season is long, but the road to the ultimate prize starts on day one—these are the games where players form habits, build momentum, and find what rotations work for them. They put in all that work in the hopes of lifting the only trophy that matters at the end of the season: the Sneaker King award. I’m mostly joking, but since the NBA started handing this hardware out in 2018, players have actually had something to compete for. The chase has led to a glut of grail sneakers making their way out onto the court during professional games. To give just one example: P.J. Tucker, the reigning sneaker king, has played in Travis Scott’s collaborative “Cactus Jack” Jordan 4s, Fear of God Nikes, and Off White Jordans.
And arriving like a universe- and palette expanding LSD tablet, last year’s rule change enabled players to wear whatever color sneakers they’d like. There is no better representation of the absolute sneaker madness that has ensued since than what we’ve seen on the court during these halcyon days of the 2019-2020 season. Here are the best, weirdest, and most interesting kicks from the first two days of action.
Saturday Morning Television Enthusiasts
Kyrie Irving’s “Pineapple House” Spongebob x Nike Kyrie 5
This summer, I asked Kyrie Irving an important question: “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” He was ready with the correct answer: SpongeBob SquarePants. The interview was centered around the Spongebob-themed collection of shoes he was releasing inspired by the whole Bikini Bottom crew. On Thursday, Nike dropped the next piece in the range: a shoe design modeled after that pineapple house under the sea. During his Nets debut,Irving dropped 50 in them. Whose (pineapple) house is this? His house!
Royce O’Neale’s “Space Jam” Nike Kobe AD
As far as I know, O’Neale is not in the upcoming Space Jam sequel (Space Jam 2: LeBron James Is the Real GOAT, Not a Quitter Like Michael Jordan, and This Film Will Prove It Once and For All), but he did wear a custom pair of Kobes with images of the Tune Squad and Monstars on them. If this is a nakedly desperate attempt to be cast in Space Jam 3, I really respect it.
Caris Levert’s “Squidward” Spongebob x Nike Kyrie 5
Irving’s teammate Caris Levert gave him a warm welcome by wearing the “Squidward” Kyrie 5s from the SpongeBob collection.
Langston Galloway’s Q4 “Minnie Mouse” sneakers
Galloway, in partnership with sneaker brand Q4, created a custom pair of pink sneakers covered in white polka-dots and an image of Minnie Mouse. The Pistons guard explained the decision on Instagram. “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it’s only right I start off the season wearing these to show my support,” he wrote.
Ja Morant’s “Spongebob” Spongebob x Nike Kyrie 5
Honestly, a shocking amount of Spongebob sneakers so far this season. Ja Morant, after wearing the Squidwards during the preseason, played his first official NBA game in the yellow “Spongebob” editions with the squiggly swoosh.
Brands on the Rise
Fred VanVleet’s AND1 Attack 2.0s
NBA Champion Fred VanVleet started this season in a pair of AND1’s new Attack 2.0s. Several brands—including Puma, Converse, and New Balance (more on those latter two shortly)—have gotten back into the NBA over the last 12 months, but AND1 isn’t a name we hear very often anymore. I’m personally rooting for VanVleet to put the brand back on the map and for AND1 to start releasing those shirts printed with rude sayings like “GIVE ‘N’ GO! GIVE UP THE GAME AND GO HOME!” again.
Motrezl Harrell’s Reebox x Undefeated Instapump Furys
Harrell is one of the most underrated sneaker collectors in the NBA, but the Clipper’s strategy is different from other NBA players. While, say, P.J. Tucker consistently reaches for high-heat new releases, Harrell opts for a variety of custom-made pieces. Remember the Simpsons sneakers in contrasting colors he wore last season? Harrell kicked off the year against the Lakers wearing a pair of Reebok’s Instapump Furys made in collaboration with streetwear brand Undefeated.
Kawhi Leonard’s “Reign” New Balance OMN1S
“Fun Guy” Kawhi Leonard debuted the newest colorway of his sorta-signature shoe against the Lakers Tuesday night. The shoe is simple, but that low-key approach has worked wonders in the past for both Leonard and New Balance.
Kelly Oubre’s Converse All Star Pro BB
After sitting out of the NBA for seven years, Converse unveiled its triumphant return in the form of the sleek All Star Pro BB back in April. On Wednesday, the shoe finally saw its first official action during a regular-season game. Expect Oubre to wear a wide variety of the All Star Pro BBs this season. He’s already worn a cheetah-printed version in the pre-season and, against the Kings, wore a second pair with a graphic of totally tubular waves on them.
Once in the Musecage, Forever in the Musecage
Luka Doncic’s Nike Kobe 4 Protro PEs
Kobe retired in 2016, but his sneaker legacy in the NBA is still strong with players who want to embrace the Mamba Mentality (i.e. putting up a bunch of points while simultaneously clanking a deluge of turnaround fadeaway jumpers). Doncic wore a player-exclusive pair of Kobe 4s in Dallas Mavericks blue.
Devin Booker’s Nike Kobe 4 Protro PEs
Speaking of players who love to take a bajillion shots at the expense of efficiency, Devin Booker wore a pair of very cool lilac-colored Kobes.
DeMar Derozan’s Nike Kobe 4 Protro
The Cotton Candy 4s.
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