10 NBA Players Who Need Their Own Signature Sneaker

Image via Complex Original

Ricky Rubio 

Brand: adidas 

Why: The Spaniard has Pistol Pete’s game and Harry Potter’s looks. How much more marketable can you be than that? Rubio spent the healthy part of his first year in the league laced in Nike before adidas picked him up this off-season. Typically with a move so quick to another brand you wouldn’t see a signature shoe cooked up for a player but adidas would be wise to veer off the path with one of their shoes and mold it to the specifications of Ricky’s game and let him slaughter opponents in them next season. Worldwide appeal never hurts.

Nate Robinson

Brand: Jordan 

Why: Let’s be honest—Nate’s game is better than some players that have donned player-exclusive Jordans or signed on to the brand. Since his days in Washington he has been making noise with his crazy collection of classic Jordans and rocking them on a nightly basis in the NBA. With his move to Chicago to help build the Bulls up without Derrick Rose, it makes perfect sense to finally reward Robinson for his loyalty to the brand and make his transition to the United Center even better. Not to mention, don't all Slam Dunk champs under six feet get their own signature kicks?

Jeremy Lin

Brand: Nike 

Why: His come-up last season was crazy, one of the best basketball stories since MJ was collecting rings. In a city that isn’t the most accepting, he won over millions overnight. When he had player-edition sneakers made up for the All Star game, sneakerheads were swarming Nike Talk trying to get their hands on a pair. Jeremy has left the Big Apple and there are a million questions about the legitimacy of his game, but no doubt the hype is just as intense as ever thanks to his big-money contract that NYC decided to pass on and allowing Linsanity to settle in Houston. And with literally billions of potential customers overseas, the sooner his name is on a shoe, the better.

Blake Griffin

Brand: Under Armour 

Why: Under Armour has been taking on a new generation of high-flying and aggressive players and the brand's designs and innovation keeps getting better and better. And Blake's deal is up this summer. Coincidence? Probably — but sometimes things work out for the best. Not every All Star can be on Nike, and although BG’s player exclusives have been legit, we think it's time he steps out from The Swoosh and takes on new challenge. Put him on a sneaker roster where he would likely be the top priority and see what happens.  

Rajon Rondo 

Brand: Nike

Why: If there is an opposing truth to the long-accepted axiom that big men don't sell shoes, it's that point guards do. After all, there has to be a reason the little guys keep getting signature product. Heck, even Bob Cousy had shoes with his name on them. Rajon Rondo started out with Reebok before becoming one of the many faces of Hyperfuse. With Boston's Big Three aging and guys like Steve Nash on their way out, Rondo is the rightful heir.

Monta Ellis 

Brand: Jordan 

Why: Ideally the move would have been better when he was teamed up with Nate Robinson in Golden State — but Monta has moved on to bigger and better things in Milwaukee. While the Bucks might not have the uptempo cachet of the Warriors, his teaming with another backcourt dynamo in Brandon Jennings could lead to big things. And his seeming affection for shoes like the Air Jordan 8.0 makes him a perfect choice as the face of updated retro product. Make him Eddie Jones 2.0. 

Chris Bosh

Brand: Nike 

Why: Sure, Chris Bosh has a tendency to be a bit odd. And he looks like a dinosaur. But as the third-best player on a championship team, he also deserves his props. Considering how many players over the years have gotten signature shoes without doing anything, it would be nice if Bosh got some tangible recognition of his achievements. Er, besides his massive contract.

J.R. Smith

Brand: Nike 

Why: When J.R. left China for The Garden he already had the global market on lockdown. Linsanity may have taken over in 2012 and Melo might be the face of the franchise, but it was Smith's ability to get the crowd more hyphy than a E-40 video and his constant rotation of Jordan and Nike heat on and off the court that makes him a prime candidate to get his own signature kicks. And you know he'd be his own best marketer, too. #KoldGame

Serge Ibaka

Brand: adidas

Why: Serge Ibaka has proven himself as a true shotblocking center, one of the last of a dying breed. He actually played (sorry Dwight) and dominated in the middle during the playoffs, all while wearing the Three Stripes on his feet. His defensive play and heritage has drawn some comparisons to Dikembe Mutombo, who had one of adidas most underrated signature shoes. Now that he's re-upped with the Thunder, it's time to hit 'em with the remix and let Serge be the face of the model. 

James Harden

Brand: Nike

Why: You already witnessed what Harden can do with his recent beard commercial for Foot Locker and the team’s third-best scoring option has shown he is a team player coming off the bench. And at 23 he's already played in the Olympics and the NBA Finals. If there's trepidation of having him share a crowded market with teammate Kevin Durant, shift him to Jordan, or even Converse (un-scrap the NBA program, quick!). No team is hotter in terms of marketing and he is the wildcard — this move is a must before someone else snatches him up. Fear the beard.