So the new season sees the appearance of new shoes across the world and our courts. Who is wearing what? What colours? Brands? High tops vs. Low? Any new releases coming up?
And although I hate to follow crowds and believe that a pair of trainers makes you "cool" or not, it has always been a part of our lives as basketball players. A player walks into a gym, pick up game, local court or trials, wearing his running shoes or worse: football astro boots, it just looks wrong and you immediately think "I've got this guy, easy". When you lace up a new pair of J's is just feels "right", and so each year I treat myself to a new pair, knowing I'll get the use out of them.
Last year it was the Kobe Zoom Flights, a throwback homage to one of my favourite pairs of shoes ever the Gary Payton "Glove", with the zip-up covered laces. Before it was Jordan 29's (XX9) in the more rare "playoff" colourway. Before that CP3 XE's.... all the way back to the shoes pictured. Nike Air Jordan 8's. They were heavy, clumpy, probably poorly cushioned in comparison to today, but my local store in Guildford somehow stocked them, the cross-straps looked amazing and had the legendary "23" across the front. And when I put them on, I felt amazing.
So what to buy this year... I find myself in a state of indecisiveness. Nike vs. Jordan vs. UnderArmour vs. Adidas vs.... Lebron vs. KD vs. Kyrie vs. Steph vs. Harden vs. Michael. I know who i'd pick every time. But lets look around:
Nike vs. UnderArmour.
This is a moral dilemma. I don't normally DO politics, but we can't ignore the state of the USA at the present moment. I can't sit and ignore what their president is doing and what he stands for. But why should that relate to my shoes? Nike is using adverts with Colin Kapernick, the former NFL San Francisco 49ers QuarterBack, who protested against the state of police brutality against young black men, by taking a knee during the National Anthem. Long story short, more players joined the peaceful protest, but Trump got involved, said he was disrespecting his country, even though taking a knee is seen as actually more respectable by war veterans, the NFL owners got involved (mainly rich white guys) and it ended with players being suspended if they joined the protest and eventually Kapernick lost his job. He now is jobless, when his skills surpass those in other teams by a fair distance, because the big NFL owners don't want to hire him.
However, Nike stuck with him. They have since used his face over billboards with the slogan "Believe in Something. Even if it Means Sacrificing Everything".
Nike have not always been out of the firing line. The 90's saw mass uproar when factories with cheap child labour were found making the shoes and clothing. Now that is supposedly all cleared up and pictures of child labour factories are linked to fake/knock-off shoes, including Nikes.
On the other side of the fence, is Under Armour and their face Steph Curry. Under Armour is a relatively new brand, 1995, and came from humble beginnings of his mums basement, however Kevin Plank's company now makes $5Bn per year. My moral dilemma is a lot of this money comes from their hunting apparel. They sponsor many pro hunters, and are the face of many "trophy hunters" who pay massive fees to go and hunt critically endangered animals in Africa. You will see the logo on many chests of these smug *****s as they hold their dead lion/elephant/rhino. That, I cant ignore. Whatever gives you the right to shoot these animals for fun is beyond me. And UA is not just the clothing they wear, its the clothing that endorses these people, and sponsors their trips. Its big business.
Kevin Plank is an avid Trump supporter. So giving him my money, when he may use it to sponsor Trumps next campaign? Nope.
However, Steph Curry... point blank refused to go to the White House after winning the Championship. Has spoken out against the plight of black youth. Has point blank spoken out against Plank, his own sponsor of $4M per year. and has even said that if the company "does not sit with his morals, and he can no longer look himself in the mirror" he would leave, with no issues. [Sure he'd get another shoe deal straight away, but its a big $4m call]. Steph I agree with, Plank I don't. Its difficult.
KD... he left my team, to go join Steph and GSW to basically assure himself of a title. Do I forgive him? Kinda. He came back and was completely humble in his MVP reception and his titles. And lets be honest, him and Westbrook weren't really working together... don't get me started on having Westbrook, KD and Harden on the same team before they broke up! BUT I struggle to buy his shoes by design. All too low for my ankles. And full bubble heels: look great, feel great, but when they eventually pop, thats the end of the shoe.
Kyrie: Love his game. Love that he left the Cavs and Lebron to try and become a franchise player. But he believes the World is Flat??? WHAT?! [probably not enough to put me off his sick looking shoes though]
Lebron: Amazing player, fair enough. The best of the generation, no doubt. But I just can't enjoy his style. He truly believes the team revolves around him, no matter how good you are, that doesnt sit with me. And I can't enjoy that he's travelled around trying to find more titles. I would say true legends of the game have done it in one uniform. Jordan was a Bull. Magic was a Laker. Bird was a Celtic.
Harden: Love this guy. His style is amazing. Love the beard! Yeah he left OKC but we'll put that down to the coach. He's formed a strong team around him and is working hard to make it work. The downside: Adidas don't fit me as they are too wide and Harden is making crazy low shoes, with zero ankle support. And I can't risk that at my age!
Melo: Why this guy still has a pro-shoe is beyond me. And the look disgusting anyway.
PG: He plays for my team. He has a great style of play, solid shooting and a hard working Defence. I like this guy...
Anyway, I can rant away for hours over this. My daughter has been helping me pick [oddly won't let me get pink shoes?]. My girlfriend has been helping me pick [doesn't know any of the players or brands and is just picking what she likes]. I guess one day soon I'll just have to put them in the shopping basket and pay.... no doubt they'll bring out an amazing looking shoe the next day!