You’ve probably read plenty of the media’s takes on the best sneakers of 2016, but we’re switching things up this time and listening to the athletes that many of these sneakers were actually made for. Read on as players from around the NBA share some of their favorite sneakers of the year—both on and off the court—which in some cases they even helped create.
You’ve probably read plenty of the media’s takes on the best sneakers of 2016, but we’re switching things up this time and listening to the athletes that many of these sneakers were actually made for. Read on as players from around the NBA share some of their favorite sneakers of the year—both on and off the court—which in some cases they even helped create.
Frank Kaminsky - Charlotte Hornets
"Probably the OVO 12s. And to play in, the 30s were great. They’re the most comfortable shoes I think I’ve ever played in."
C.J. McCollum - Portland Trail Blazers
"I’m a Jordan guy, so I like the Jordans—any Jordan that came out. And to play in, the Hyperdunk 2016."
Aaron Harrison - Charlotte Hornets
"It’s tough, but probably the OG White/Cement 4s. They’re classics. You can wear them with anything—if they get dirty you can still wear them."
Tony Allen - Memphis Grizzlies
"D Rose 7. Chi-Town. Ain’t nothin’ else, no less."
Stanley Johnson - Detroit Pistons
"I think the KD 9s were probably the best hooping sneaker out. I wore it out once or twice with jeans before. I feel like the colorways that came out to the public and then what you can do on NIKEiD is fabulous. And off the court, the OVO 12s were probably one of my favorites. The collaboration is fabulous too, but to wear the shoe and how it hits your jeans—every shoe hits your jeans differently. And with those I feel like they go with a lot of stuff."
Hassan Whiteside - Miami Heat
"Space Jam Jordan 11. Lifetime, it’s the Jordan 11."
Zach Randolph - Memphis Grizzlies
"You know, I’m old school. The youngsters on the team, they be tellin’ me ‘bout all the new hot shoes. I be wearin’ a lot of Jordans. Jordans and Nikes. I like all of ‘em."
Nick Young - Los Angeles Lakers
"I like the Bape NMDs. I thought the collab was pretty dope. The camo on the shoe is pretty cool. And the Swaggy P Crazy Lights. They the best shoe on the court."
Jabari Parker - Milwauke Bucks
"I like the Cyber Monday 3s. But maybe my 11 PEs. That was something I designed. They gave me some ideas, and I picked that shoe model. I could have picked another number, but the 11s are always the sneakerheads’ favorite shoe, so I just went with the hype on that one. Our uniforms have cream in them, so I went all cream. I don’t like all different kind of colors, I just like one solid color. Maybe I’ll do all forest green and put another material on it, like a suede."