The return of the NBA on Tuesday night was chicken soup for the basketball enthusiast’s soul. It meant a return to action after what’s been another entertaining free agency summer filled with moves and drama. As the new season kicks off, everyone will be watching how year one goes for LeBron James in Los Angeles, whether the Warriors can accomplish a three-peat, and who emerges as the new king of the Eastern Conference. However, many fans will tune in to a more detailed part of the sport: the footwear driving the play.
Nike and Jordan Brand have long been a juggernaut in outfitting the majority of the league’s players. This season brings new challengers as Puma revived its basketball division in a big way. Adidas may be set to bring Kanye West’s Yeezy line to the court. Under Armour just signed everyone’s favorite big man, Joel Embiid. China-based brands Anta and Li-Ning strengthened their respective positions with new signings. And, trendsetting outsiders like the Ball family’s Big Baller Brand, who just unveiled an affordable new model, should not be left out.
In short, there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to basketball footwear. To narrow things down, here are a handful of key questions that will be answered through the course of the season.