NBA B/R Kicks of the Week: Best on Court for NBA Week 6
Sneaker season never sleeps in the National Basketball Association. As we trek along into the sixth week of NBA action, even more player-exclusive models, unique signature efforts and slept-on gems have come floating up to the surface.
Picking out five options wasn’t easy with so many robust choices. But in the end, we settled on what we believe is the cream of the crop.
Let’s now explore Bleacher Report’s Kicks of the Week and find out a little more about what each player wore over the last seven days of NBA action.
Isaiah Thomas: Nike Kobe A.D.
1 of 5Who: Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas
Sneaker Worn: Nike Kobe A.D.
Kobe Bryant may no longer be with us in an on-court capacity, but his footwear choices live on thanks to Nike and lead designer Eric Avar.
The Kobe A.D. was introduced on November 22 by the Swoosh regime and was immediately thrust into contention as the best hardwood performer out. Created using a Zoom Air unit in the heel and Nike Lunarlon foam nestled into the midsole, the Kobe A.D. has been used by NBA players thanks to its level of cultural importance and design.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas recently sported a pair against the Miami Heat. The shoe is reflective of all that Bryant has achieved, and Thomas choosing to wear it pays tribute to this notion.
James Harden: Adidas Vol. 1 'Home'
2 of 5Who: Houston Rockets guard James Harden
Sneaker Worn: Adidas Vol. 1 "Home"
The more you see it, the more it grows on you. James Harden’s Vol. 1 series has taken the NBA by storm, utilizing a multitone colorway and Primeknit materials.
It starts and finishes with the toe box. When you first visualize the sneaker, it becomes an engaging element that stands out. With the “Home” edition of the Vol. 1, Adidas was able to use a red base and fuse a white toe box into it. The result was dazzling.
Sometimes simple is better, and this sneaker reflects that. It’s not only a quality performer on the court, it also draws attention whenever you see Harden squeaking around the court in Houston—not to mention it reflects a particular sneaker Dwyane Wade wore during his tenure with Converse.
John Wall: Nike Kobe 11 'Mambacurial'
3 of 5Who: Washington Wizards guard John Wall
Sneaker Worn: Nike Kobe 11 “Mambacurial”
John Wall’s first foray into our weekly list comes thanks to his love for Kobe Bryant. Rather than go with the latest Nike Kobe A.D., Wall chose to wear the Kobe 11 “Mambacurial” when lining up against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
We’ve talked about the Kobe 11 for a while now. The shoe is a triumphant sneaker when worn indoors and on “clean” surfaces—courts kept in tip-top condition. Materialwise, few sneakers can match the structural dominance of the Kobe 11, even today.
With Wall choosing the “Mambacurial” version, he decided not to match the Washington Wizards’ uniform code. The bright pink hues, oversized Nike text and lime green sole give this Kobe 11 a lighter look and feel—one Wall clearly became infatuated with.
It certainly was a strong choice by Wall, and one that we cannot gloss over. The "Mambacurial" 11 is a lock for one of the top picks of the week.
Kevin Durant: Nike KD 9 'Warriors'
4 of 5
Who: Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant
Sneaker Worn: Nike KD 9 “Warriors”
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant hasn’t been featured on our list since the first week of NBA action. However, the "Warriors" version of the KD 9 was good enough to bring him back.
The KD 9 is a sharp piece of footwear by all accounts. Wearability is strong, the design elements used present a strong link between casual and on-court, and the sneaker itself will go down as Durant’s first effort in a post-Oklahoma City Thunder world.
This “Warriors” cut featuring royal blue and a yellow Swoosh stood out as Durant continues his quest to capture an NBA title. It's the type of shoe you want to get your hands on and play the role of a heel—another term for bad guy.
Chris Paul: Jordan Brand CP3.X 'Iridescent'
5 of 5
Who: Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul
Sneaker Worn: Jordan Brand CP3.X “Iridescent”
The sneakers we continually talk about usually revolve around staples of the footwear world: Nike LeBron X Soldiers, the KD 9, stuff that resonates with consumers.
On the outskirts of that is Chris Paul’s personal line accompanied by the Jordan Brand emblem. Russell Westbrook may garner all of the attention for his use of the Air Jordan silhouettes, but Paul’s CP3 collection has shined on its own merits.
The CP3.X marks the latest installment of this line. With an upper crafted using a tangible, malleable rubberized texture, protection comes in the form of a low-cut rendition. Paul has worn countless colorways of this sneaker, but the “Iridescent” version he broke out against the Brooklyn Nets could be the nicest.
It glimmers on the court, using a solar system print on the upper. Paul’s CP3.X has officially arrived on our weekly review. Stay tuned to find out if it continues to make waves.
