Prior to the release of the adidas J Wall 1, Wizards point guard John Wall was the face of Reebok's basketball campaign. During his tenure with Reebok, Wall had three signature shoes all of which focused on their ZigTech cushioning system. Last year, Wall switched over to adidas, who now owns and operates Reebok, but which does he favor?
When Wall came into the league from Kentucky, he was one of the most highly touted talents since LeBron James. Reebok recognized the hype and gave Wall a signature shoe in his rookie year. Once he switched over to the Three Stripes, Wall joined a list of only a few players who had signature sneakers with more than one brand. During the J Wall 1 launch event, Wall gave some insight on the difference between working with Reebok and adidas, and we think he made the right choice.
"I think the biggest difference when I came into the situation with Reebok is that they already had they’re shoes designed, so I didn’t really have any say so," Wall said at an in-store appearance at Foot Locker last night. "At adidas, I didn’t get a shoe right away. I had to work and show my dedication on and off the court. Putting in work and getting better in those situations and sitting down and getting to know the adidas people a lot better."
With Reebok, Wall's signature shoes focused on Zig technology, which has all but faded from the basketball world (much like Reebok as a whole). When the J Wall 1 was debuted, many people questioned the absence of adidas' Boost technology, which was incorporated into their basketball line for the first time ever with the D Rose 5. Although the shoe's are lacking Boost, Wall didn't rule out a possibility of an upgraded version that features the prized technology.
"Boost is a great thing that they’re putting into the shoes, but at the time they were already designing my shoe it was already finished before they decided to put it in there," he said.
adidas just debuted the "Woven Paisley" J Wall 1 earlier today, and clearly have plenty in store for the All-Star point guard. Wall and the Wizards descend on NYC tonight as they take on Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks. Wall uses Madison Square Garden as the world's biggest stage and often busts out special versions of his kicks for the game so keep an eye out tonight, and scoop up your pair of the J Wall 1 by hitting up adidas.
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