B/R Kicks of the Week: Best on Court for NBA Week 2
Our weekly look at the best on-court kicks in the NBA continues with five premier sneaker choices worn over the last seven days.
With so many different footwear options out there on the table, we had to trim our list down and select only the cream of the crop. We're talking about "Player Exclusive" models, the latest colorways of signature shoes and a tribute to Kobe Bryant.
Get ready, because it's time to check out the best on-court kicks during the second week of the NBA season.
Andre Iguodala: Nike Kobe 11
1 of 5Who: Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala
Sneaker: Nike Kobe 11
Being a registered Nike athlete has its perks. Andre Iguodala understands this. His choice of footwear against the Portland Trail Blazers came in the form of the Nike Kobe 11.
Those who have followed Iggy's sneaker career know he's been a fan of the Kobe 11—he even wore the "Barcelona" model during the Warriors' opening-season photograph session, per NBA Kicks on Court.
The Kobe 11 has morphed into a popular choice for NBA athletes this season, mainly due to the internal cushioning system and lightweight feel. Iguodala became another cog in the Black Mamba machine, breaking out this special version of the 11 against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1.
Russell Westbrook: Air Jordan 30.5 'Player Exclusive'
2 of 5Who: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook
Sneaker: Air Jordan 30.5 "Player Exclusive"
Let's get this out of the way: We're going to dub these Russell Westbrook "Player Exclusives" the "Why Not?" Air Jordan 30.5s, thanks to the permanent maker lettering No. 0 added to the toe box.
Westbrook's decision to continuously wear this hybrid shoe, comprised of the Air Jordan XXX and XXXI, has kept off us balance. He's the current face of Jordan Brand, so naturally you'd think he would be strictly rocking the XXXI.
That hasn't been the case. The Thunder guard has been straight raging in the 30.5s, averaging 34.2 points, 10 assists and 9.6 rebounds per game. So, to bring his use of penmanship back into the conversation, why not wear these kicks moving forward?
LeBron James: Nike LeBron Soldier 10 'Christ the King'
3 of 5
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James
Sneaker: Nike LeBron Soldier 10 "Christ the King"
LeBron James has started the 2016-17 season off with a bang. His Cleveland Cavaliers are 5-0, and he's cruising past defenders on a nightly basis. Mixed in with all of that, James has used this season to showcase a series of outstanding colorways for the LeBron Soldier 10.
The choice he made against the Boston Celtics on November 3 was the cleanest iteration to date. Behold, the LeBron Soldier 10 "Christ the King." Using a strict coat of burgundy, this sneaker was dosed from the ankle support beam down to the toe box.
It features mesh breakthrough detailing, vintage LeBron Soldier 10 straps and a white sole. Of all the Soldier 10s King James has worn, these babies have descended into "must-cop" territory.
DeMar DeRozan: Nike Kobe 6 'Prelude'
4 of 5Who: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan
Sneaker: Nike Kobe 6 "Prelude"
Don't look now, but DeMar DeRozan is out here showing his peers who the real sneaker god is. DeRozan reached into the vault and pulled out an epic pair of Nike Kobe 6 "Preludes" against the Denver Nuggets on October 31.
Nearly five years after its release, the Kobe 6 remains an excellent shoe. Designed as a low-top—a staple of Kobe's Nike line—the traction you get flying around in these kicks has managed to hold up, even as technology surges forward.
Few sneakers in Bryant's signature arsenal can stack up to the 6, and the fact DeRozan rocks it in 2016 is further proof of that theory.
Kyrie Irving: Nike Kyrie 2 'Player Exclusive'
5 of 5Who: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving
Sneaker: Nike Kyrie 2 "Player Exclusive"
Why do Nike athletes get the best "Player Exclusive" models? Come on, share this stash of goodness with the rest of us.
In any event, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving torched the Boston Celtics to the tune of 23 points, four rebounds and six assists Thursday while wearing a "Player Exclusive" version of his coveted Nike Kyrie 2.
The shoe has become a popular model among NBA players this season. It's a lightweight, throwback-looking sneaker, stuffed with traction pads and a premium sense of support.
Irving has worn plenty of his own kicks to open the season, but this "Player Exclusive" version, dosed in an icy blue pattern, has been one of the main standouts thus far.
