
Remembering the 10 Top Kicks from the 2015-16 NBA Season
With the 2015-16 NBA season now over, there's no better time to review 10 of the top on-court kicks.
NBA players have historically been the biggest facilitators of sneaker style. With brands like Under Armour, Nike, Adidas and others now all in the mix, the choices are seemingly endless for athletes.
After jumping through the various kicks we've seen, this list of sneaker goodness was created.
LeBron James: Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier X
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LeBron James is a sneaker giant. His Nike offerings have constantly been huge sellers, as Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes reported in 2015.
James took to the court during Game 7 of the NBA Finals and showed off one of the cleanest looks we've ever seen: a special Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier X.
Rocking that black and gold colorway, James led his Cleveland Cavaliers to a 93-89 win, dropping 27 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in the process.
The kicks alone are super dope. But the fact that James conquered the Golden State Warriors and brought a title home to Cleveland while wearing these Soldier Xs makes them a significant part of sneaker history.
Nick Young: Yeezy 750 Boost
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Nick Young of the Los Angeles Lakers has been an avid sneaker supporter for years—Bleacher Report's Lance Fresh got to witness Young's sneaker passion firsthand in 2014.
Because of his vast sneaker collection, Young has been a constant force of style on the court. After inking a deal with Adidas in 2015, Young shifted his hardwood choices to everything Three Stripes.
One of the most ambitious choices he made this past season was sporting a pair of Yeezy 750 Boosts—a rare, Kanye West-designed lifestyle shoe. Without any sort of ankle support, Young made a bold decision rocking Yeezys during an NBA game.
But the Lakers' forward was unfazed by the lack of support. "It actually felt good on my feet. I was worried about the same thing, but once I put them on and got out there on the court, it was just time to play," he told ESPN.com.
Young's first entry on this list is a Yeezy-inspired endeavor.
Kyrie Irving: Kyrie 2 PE
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Kyrie Irving deserves a ton of credit for his performance during the NBA Finals. Without Irving's cold-blooded shooting and ability to put defenders on ice skates, the Cavs probably wouldn't have reached the promised land.
Irving's sneaker game has also been a revelation. In a world with athletic, high-top power kicks, Irving's signature line has represented something different. His shoes tend to reflect the past, while embracing the future of Nike innovation.
Kyrie's player exclusive versions of the Kyrie 2 were a highlight of the 2015-16 sneaker season. This white and red PE was worn during Game 6 of the NBA Finals and it, like Irving, made a statement.
It serves as a clean reminder of how far this line has come in just two years. We can point to almost any version as a contender to make this list and that's the beauty of Irving's kicks.
P.J. Tucker: Air Jordan XII 'PSNY'
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Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker is another avid sneaker enthusiast. He's been a constant abuser of on-court heat. This past season was no different for Tucker.
One pair that especially stands out was the Air Jordan XII "PSNY." Created by renowned fashion label Public School, this laid back, suede-like approach to a timeless shoe was a smash with consumers.
Similar to Adidas' Yeezy 750 Boost offering, a shoe like this was designed more with a streetwear vibe in mind.
That notion didn't stop Tucker from rocking them against the Sacramento Kings in March of 2016. He sported these grails proudly, big, looping laces and all.
Kobe Bryant: Kobe 11 'Fade to Black'
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Kobe Bryant's farewell sneaker from Nike turned out to be the slickest drop of his 2015-16 campaign. Perfectly titled "Fade to Black," this Kobe 11 was a beautiful on-foot send-off for the Black Mamba.
Bryant's entire sneaker arsenal has been revered, which put the Kobe 11 in good company from the get-go.
With a simmering dose of gold and black strapped to his feet, the "Fade to Black" 11 helped Bryant go out with a bang. The Black Mamba scored 60 points in a Lakers win, giving these kicks a special place in history.
Nick Young: Adidas Crazy 1 'Tribal Gradient'
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Nick Young's second offering on this list is another Adidas classic. Digging into the crates—so to speak—Young busted out a pair of Adidas Crazy 1s.
The design he chose was the "Tribal Gradient" blend that brings luminous strands of color to a robotic design. It's an effective way to cast a light on a forgotten Adidas gem.
It's all in a day's work for Young. His sneaker choices all season long, and overall ambition in fashion, have paved the way for Young to be remembered more as a style icon than a primetime performer.
Russell Westbrook: Air Jordan XXX PE
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Russell Westbrook has evolved into the face of Team Jordan in recent years. He's not only a superstar, but also the player who has single-handedly carried Jordan Brand's latest signature offerings into a grandiose spotlight.
Without Michael Jordan out there to wear his continued Air Jordan line, Westbrook has served as the ultimate representative.
Sporting the Air Jordan XXX this year, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard got the opportunity to wear an all black player exclusive version. Despite muted tones and a single colorway, this player exclusive burst onto the scene.
It's by far the dopest variant of the Air Jordan XXX we've seen.
Stephen Curry: Under Armour Curry 2 'All-Star'
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Stephen Curry's Under Armour repertoire has helped change the entire landscape of the sneaker industry. His biggest leap to date was the unveiling of the Under Armour Curry 2.
We saw countless colorways glossed onto this silhouette throughout the 2015-16 NBA season. One particular version that stood out was the "All-Star" cut.
Using a white base, Under Armour's design team melded reflective gold and red to create the shoe's base aesthetic. Adding to the already dashing appearance, an icy sole was installed to finish off the Curry 2 "All-Star."
All of these months later, it remains a top design option amongst the bevy of Curry 2 sneakers out there today.
Rudy Gay: Air Jordan II 'Wing It'
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Rudy Gay's outstanding Jordan Brand choices have remained a staple of his footwear game. Last season he wore the Just Don Air Jordan IIs, putting all other NBA sneakerheads on notice.
Earlier this year, Gay came correct with another Air Jordan II model. This go-around, it was the "Wing It" edition that dropped in March of 2016.
The shoe itself honors Jordan Brand's heritage—it was the last sneaker designed by Peter Moore. Gay wore it proudly, proving that the timeless look of Air Jordan kicks is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
Kevin Durant: KD 9 'Zero'
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Kevin Durant spent the entire 2015-16 season sporting the Nike KD 8. That was, until Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals came rolling in.
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward broke out a padded grey colorway of the all-new KD 9, setting the sneaker community ablaze. Even in a losing effort Durant stunted on the rest of the field. His sneaker game was on point and the KD 9 "Zero" was the main culprit.
The shoe is hands down the cleanest KD model to date, featuring enhanced elements such as lockdown support and a breathable upper.
Ending our list with Durant's KD 9 also serves as a smooth transition into the future. We can't wait to see what next season has to offer.
All Nike/Jordan product information via News.Nike.com unless noted otherwise. All Adidas information via News.Adidas.com unless noted otherwise.
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