Kawhi Leonard Talks All-Time Favorite Kicks, Being the Face of Jordan Brand
Kawhi Leonard couldn't contain his excitement. It was his favorite sneaker brand as a kid, Jordan, that brought it out of him. He was going to be the face of its commercial line for the new Gatorade x Air Jordan collaboration, and fulfill a childhood dream. Foot Locker wanted him to help promote the anticipated release, since it was the only retailer to sell all four drops of the "Like Mike" sneakers: the 1s, the 32s, the orange 6s and the limited lime green 6s.
Bleacher Report spoke with the usually tight-lipped, all-world San Antonio Spurs forward about becoming a Jordan athlete, his favorite kicks and his health as he works his way back from a quad injury to once again become one of the NBA's best.
Bleacher Report: Growing up, what do you remember as your first sneaker?
Kawhi Leonard: My first Jordan, I just remember seeing it very young. I had 'em at about one years old or so. I had the black and red Air Jordan 13s, [and] I just liked the sneaker. It had a mesh that when the sun shined on it, it could turn to silver. I just loved the comfort and the style of it.
B/R: What was the sneaker you wanted as a kid growing up that you were finally able to get, the holy grail, when you made it to the pros?
KL: I missed out on a lot. The 11s and the Columbia. I wear a big shoe size, and I wasn't big on waiting outside the store to get a shoe, so I just missed out on the all-grey 11s and all-white ones.
B/R: What did it mean to you to become a Jordan athlete once you became a pro?
KL: It meant a lot. You were a child, watching him play and you're buying his sneakers. Then you keep working hard and 15 years later and I'm able to play in them and help the brand grow.
B/R: The Jordan-Gatorade collaboration, what was your first thought when you saw them?
KL: I thought they were a great collab. Watching those early Jordan commercials and that music they had in the background. They're coming out in so many different colors. They're very bright and bold, and for sneakerheads, it's definitely a look. I love the green 6s, too. I like that they are using different colors around the whole shoe, and I always love suede shoes.
B/R: What does your sneaker collection look like? How many pairs of kicks do you have?
KL: I don't even know, man. I have so many. There are so many rooms and closets filled with them. My favorite sneakers are probably one of [Player Exclusives] that I got to choose the color on.
B/R: What was it like to be able to do whatever [you wanted] with a Jordan once you became an athlete?
KL: It's a great experience. Just looking at different athletes growing up, Ray Allen and Mike Bibby, they always had an exclusive pair of Jordans they designed for their specific team colors, and being a sneakerhead, we always wanted to get our hands on a pair of sneakers like those. [It was] A great experience to be able to do that.
B/R: Your favorite kicks of all time?
KL: Jordans. I like Nike SB Dunks. And then I'm not sure. Those were my favorites.
B/R: What are your thoughts on the Off-White Jordan 1s?
KL: I like those shoes. ... It's the original colorway, and I'm not too big on the Off-Whites, but it's a hyped shoe.
B/R: To hear you're gonna have a Jordan commercial, what was that like?
KL: Just to be able to represent Jordan and Gatorade, it's amazing. I am grateful to be the choice by them, and hopefully we can keep moving forward with stuff like this.
B/R: How are you feeling coming back from injury?
KL: Awesome.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
