NBA B/R Kicks of the Week: Best on Court for NBA Week 11
With the holiday season now comfortably resting in the rearview mirror, our weekly look at NBA kicks has shifted into a new year.
On Christmas Day, we saw Kyrie Irving and LeBron James both debut signature sneakers—along with Carmelo Anthony. Will this wave of new kicks create a change in various athletes' on-foot choices?
Combined with the usual heat we've been accustomed to seeing, here are the top sneaker choices from the NBA's 11th week of action.
Jeff Green: Air Jordan XXXI 'Player Exclusive'
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Who: Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green
Sneaker Worn: Air Jordan XXXI "Player Exclusive"
A continuous rollout of "Player Exclusive" Air Jordan XXXIs forged on when Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green chose to wear a personalized pair against the New York Knicks on Monday.
The sneaker has remained a marvelous addition to the Air Jordan line in a post-Michael world. Delivering immense respect to the Air Jordan I—a sneaker the XXXI has been frequently linked with—the 2016 edition is nothing short of dazzling.
A full-length Zoom Air cushioning platform and woven upper are the two grand highlights of this sneaker. If they're good enough for countless players in the NBA, you can bet consumers will adore all the XXXI has to offer.
Kyrie Irving: Nike Kyrie 3 'Player Exclusive'
2 of 5Who: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving
Sneaker Worn: Nike Kyrie 3 "Player Exclusive"
Kyrie Irving continued his tour of the Nike Kyrie 3 on December 25 against the Golden State Warriors. He spent time switching between this gold-and-white-detailed "Player Exclusive" and the more traditional "Samurai" cut.
Irving's Kyrie 3 represents a continued show of force from Team Nike. Along with Kevin Durant and LeBron James, Irving's signature sneaker has helped carry the Nike name into the future.
DeMar DeRozan: Nike Kobe 9 Elite 'Fade to Black'
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Who: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan
Sneaker Worn: Nike Kobe 9 Elite "Fade to Black"
DeMar DeRozan has remained a commanding presence on our weekly sneaker lists. His footwear choices have usually revolved around Kobe Bryant's signature line.
On New Year's Day 2017, DeRozan sported a pair of the highly coveted Nike Kobe 9 Elite "Fade to Blacks." This high-top rendition of Bryant's ninth personalized shoe remains a stalwart for on-court dominance.
Without Bryant in the NBA, DeRozan has helped move his legacy forward. His willingness to constantly lean on the Kobe line proves this shoe still matters in plenty of NBA circles.
Carmelo Anthony: Jordan Brand Melo M13 'Black/Gold'
4 of 5Who: New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony
Sneaker Worn: Jordan Brand Melo M13 "Black/Gold"
After the official unveil of the Melo M13 on Christmas Day, the New York Knicks forward broke out a gold-and-black, detail-soaked version of the shoe versus the Orlando Magic.
Carmelo Anthony's Jordan Brand line has been forgotten in many ways. His direct competition—LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant—all have historically outsold Anthony. Even if the M13 can't bring significant change to that notion, it's still a solid shoe.
A Kurim overlay dressed neatly over mesh provides the M13 with a sweet spot in terms of durability and weight. As the shoe continues to get play, it's going to be fun to analyze all of the different colorways Melo will be rocking on the court.
D'Angelo Russell: Kyrie 2 'NikeiD'
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Who: Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell
Sneaker Worn: Nike Kyrie 2 "NikeiD"
Truth be told, D'Angelo Russell might be king of the sneaker world this season. He's been a recurring member of this list thanks to a series of inspired choices.
When battling the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, Russell blew past the Kyrie 3, instead opting for a "NikeiD" version of the Kyrie 2. Bold lettering on the heel mixed with a black-and-yellow base turned this customized Kyrie 2 into a special product.
Russell's eye for fashion—not to mention great Nike sneakers—is apparent with each passing night. Hopefully he continues to bless us all with great kicks.
