Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit
Whether basketball season is in full swing or you're living in the aftermath of another all-consuming NBA Finals, there is no wrong time to strap up them boots and head to your local gym to play all of one game of basketball before you hit the sidelines and debate for two hours about who is actually deserving of an MVP title. While others may be basing their hypothesis on PERs, BPMs and OPPs, you are able to determine the Finals champion AND the MVP simply by whose signature sneaker is the most popping, the true barometer of success, as anyone with any sense will be able to tell you.
How do you determine the best basketball sneakers from the more forgettable ones? Like the famous saying about porn versus art, it's hard to describe what makes a basketball shoe great, but you definitely know it when you see it. And while the big name athletes attached to their signature shoes, from Lebron to Curry and Harden, will do their best to make sure you think they have the coolest joints out there, you've got to avoid the temptation to ride with a garbage product regardless if you really want to rise above the rest.
We are currently blessed with a litany of shoes fit for every type of player you could imagine being, regardless of whether or not you have any skills on the court whatsoever. Because, guess what? It actually doesn't really matter at all. In a pair of one of these shoes, whether they're the newest Nikes, the latest Jordan reissue, or a pair of instant-classic Adidas, you will look fly as fuck and, in the grand scheme of things, that’s all that counts, am I right? If you agree, do yourself a big favor and check out the best basketball shoes right now.
Nike Kyrie 3
Price: $120
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I think we can all agree that when Kyrie Irving in “in his bag,” as the youth say, he is virtually unstoppable. His incredible handles are only matched by his agility, speed, and ability to finish around the rim. It’s no wonder his sneaker is one of the best selling in the league. Irving should be who all rec-league ballers aspire to be, considering a majority of them are 6’3 and under. His third signature shoe, the Nike Kyrie 3, has Flywire technology and traction pods that take care of functional aspects on the court, while the hidden references to his late mother, Elizabeth, will show you have a heart...except for when you’re in ISO on the right wing with under a minute left in the game. Then you take your opponent’s heart.
Nike Lebron XIV
Price: $175
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At this point, it seems as though LeBron can do no wrong. Hell, he could wear a pair of Birkenstocks and still put up 20/12/11 if he really wanted to. But, the 4-time MVP and 3-Time NBA Champion does not need to wear Birkenstocks. He gets to wear his fourteenth signature shoe, a lightweight banger with Flywire technology for breathability and responsive Hexagonal Zoom Air pods for maximum comfort. This all makes him even more dangerous. Scary, innit?
Adidas Harden Vol. 1
Price: $140
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Two years ago, James Harden dropped Nike for a $200 million contract with Adidas. During the 2017 season, he rocked the Adidas Harden Vol. 1 with primeknit uppers and responsive Boost cushioning while putting up MVP-like numbers, proving he is one of the best guards in the league, if not the best. Is all of this a coincidence? Strap these bad boys on, hit a hard Euro-step, and find out.
Price: $140
The Adidas Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit is exactly what the Three Stripes was missing in its basketball division. Powerful, more explosive players like Andrew Wiggins, Nick Young, Iman Shumpert, and even rookie Brandon Ingram have been craving a lightweight, low top shoe that doesn’t compromise their ankles. With a full-length Boost midsole, the Crazy Explosive Low Primeknit features more Boost technology than any other Adidas basketball sneaker.
UA Curry 3
Price: $100 (on sale)
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While Curry celebrated another trip to the NBA Finals on top of what is arguably the best playoffs of his career, he did it all in the UA Curry 3 that continues to improve on each iteration of the MVP’s signature line. Featuring UA’s Charged Cushioning, this lightweight shoe’s sleek, simple design continues to allow Steph (and those aspiring to be like him) to get that perfect first step or to change direction quickly without hesitation. He just better hope his shoe can help him in bounceback by outperforming the two league leaders (in sneaker sales) on and off the court.
Price: $185
The Air Jordan XXXI might be the best recent Air Jordan since the XX3, making it special for more than one reason. Aside from being the premier basketball sneaker from the Air Jordan line up, the XXXI does something that no other Air Jordan has does as successfully—it takes modern technology and blends it with classic styling cues that made Air Jordan the brand it is today. In addition to featuring the Air Jordan Wings logo and faint Nike Swooshes on the sneaker, each colorway released thus far connects to the history Michael Jordan made 31 years ago. The "Fine Print" colorway celebrates Michael Jordan inking a deal with Nike, the "Banned" colorway pays homage to Jordan's banned black and red sneakers, while the "Shattered Backboard" remembers Jordan's monster dunk at a Nike Exhibition game in Italy. And, of course, you can’t forget MJ’s personal favorite “Royal” colorway.
Nike Zoom KD 9 Elite
Price: $150
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When Kevin Durant decided to leave his post in OKC to actually have a chance at winning a championship, many criticized the move, continuing the debate around “super teams.” But Durant’s impact on any team, and any sneaker company for that matter, has been proven for a decade, so he can go where ever and create a “super team.” It’s almost hard to believe that 10 years ago, Kevin Durant signed his contract with Nike and, today, he is one of the only players on the Nike roster fortunate enough to utilize the Flyknit construction on a basketball shoe for maximum breathability and flexibility. Along with a full Zoom unit, Durant’s 10th signature shoe will remain at the top of basketball sneaker mavens’ want list, especially as he continues to drop special colorways to commemorate the special people, places, and things in his life.
Nike Lebron Soldier 10
Price: $140
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In comparison to LeBron James’ signature sneakers, the Nike LeBron Soldier line is often overlooked. But, not this year. In many ways, the Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 10 has outperformed the Nike LeBron 13 (which did not make the list in-part due to its extremely high price point). James alternated between the two silhouettes during the 2016 NBA Playoffs, but it was Soldier 10 that got the Championship option on NIKEiD. With colorways like the “Dunkman” and the “Christ the King," Nike has been showing the Soldier 10 a lot of love that is usually reserved for the signature models. At $130 or $140, depending on the model, you can’t complain.
