NBA B/R Kicks of the Week: Best on Court for NBA Week 9
Just in time for the holidays, it's Bleacher Report's weekly look at all of the best sneakers worn in the NBA.
By now, you know the drill. We searched the NBA over the last seven days to find five of the coolest game-worn kicks. The following list includes two special Air Jordan drops, one slept-on Nike staple and the premiere of a brand new Adidas shoe.
As always, leave your thoughts in the comment section. Tell us which sneakers you're feeling and which ones you could do without.
Damian Lillard: Adidas Dame 3 'Rip City'
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Who: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard
Sneaker Worn: Adidas Dame 3 "Rip City"
Damian Lillard arrived on our kicks segment last week when he sported a pair of Adidas Dame 3 "Roots" against Russell Westbrook's Oklahoma City Thunder.
His return to this list comes by way of another rendition of the D Lillard 3, dubbed "Rip City." Unlike the all-red "Roots" trim, the "Rip City" model uses traditional Portland Trail Blazer colors to coat the sneaker.
Our favorite part of this shoe is the ribbed, tubular sole hedged around the heel. It gives the Dame 3 more of a casual feel and ties it to what the rest of Adidas is doing at the moment.
This is hands down the best looking Lillard model to date and shows the line's endearing sense of progress.
Karl-Anthony Towns: Nike Hyperdunk 2016
2 of 5Who: Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns
Sneaker Worn: Nike Hyperdunk 2016
God bless the Minnesota Timberwolves for selecting Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015 NBA draft. The man is a flat-out destructive force for this squad, averaging 22.1 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
His sneaker game isn't too shabby either. As a Nike athlete, Towns has relied on the support of the Nike Hyperdunk 2016 all season.
This particular series of kicks was never aligned with any sort of hype. It's a generic Nike model, built to give athletes without signature shoes a reliable product. The 2016 edition even swaps out Herringbone traction—a Nike staple—for a unique groove-based system. It's light on the ankles and carries a sustainable cushioning system with it.
A traditional blue variant, worn by Towns, deserves our collective attention.
Noah Vonleh: Jordan Ultra.Fly 'Metallic'
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Who: Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh
Sneaker Worn: Jordan Ultra.Fly "Metallic"
Wait, a Jordan Brand model not linked to the Air Jordan line made this list? Thanks to Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh, yes it did.
Vonleh broke out a "Metallic" Jordan Ultra.Fly versus the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. This sneaker doesn't carry any sort of luster compared to the Air Jordan line. However, it boasts a durable upper thanks in part to a fusion of Kurim and mesh.
The "Metallic" cut offers a distinct look. Overall, the Ultra.Fly is a tightly wound Jordan Brand effort that Vonleh apparently admires.
Iman Shumpert: Air Jordan XI Low 'Metallic Gold'
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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert
Sneaker Worn: Air Jordan XI Low "Metallic Gold"
Iman Shumpert went to bat for his Cleveland Cavaliers sporting a pair of Air Jordan XI Lows. The "Metallic Gold" cut hit retailers in summer 2016, and it was often dubbed the "Closing Ceremony" kicks in honor of the Olympic Games going on at the time.
Anything marked with the Air Jordan XI moniker is bound to surge in popularity. The "Metallic Gold" Lows weren't any different. The sneaker sold out, leaving consumers hankering for a second shot at glory.
This summer classic was enough to get Shumpert featured on our weekly list. Hopefully he keeps bringing out the heat as we transition into 2017.
Kawhi Leonard: Air Jordan XXXI 'Player Exclusive'
5 of 5Who: San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard
Sneaker Worn: Air Jordan XXXI "Player Exclusive"
Along with Russell Westbrook, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has helped carry the Jordan Brand legacy into a post-Michael Jordan era.
Leonard fluctuates between sporting vintage "Player Exclusive" cuts and the current Air Jordan XXXI. Facing the New Orleans Pelicans, Leonard went with a Spurs-colored "Player Exclusive," which has turned heads all season long.
This shoe belongs in the conversation for the best performance sneaker of 2016. Resembling the timeless Air Jordan I, the updated woven materials laced into the XXXI create a cushioning and supportive dream.
Leonard has shown no signs of slowing down, and with the "Player Exclusive" Air Jordan XXXIs strapped to his feet, there's no reason to believe he's going to stop anytime soon.
