Cavaliers F LeBron James said that he "hasn't listened to Kanye West's latest song," in which the hip-hop artist repeatedly criticizes Nike, but is "aware of it nonetheless," according to Joe Vardon of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. West left Nike in '13 for a creative partnership with rival adidas, and in the song, titled "Facts," he says: "Nike, Nike, treat employees just like slaves. Gave LeBron a billi' not to run away" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/5). James: "Obviously I’m going to side with Nike no matter who it is. It’s family when you talk about Nike and I’m always on their side no matter what the situation" (OHIO.com, 1/4). In DC, Des Bieler wrote maybe West "really does just hate Nike." Elsewhere in the track, West "refers to another Nike endorser," Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr., but he also "makes sure to give a shout-out to a pair of NBA players" who are adidas roster endorsers -- Rockets G James Harden and Lakers G Nick Young (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/1).
WALL STREET: In DC, Jorge Castillo noted Wizards G John Wall last Wednesday for the first time in his career "wore a pair of Nikes -- red and white Kobe 10s, to be exact -- in a game." Wall’s shoe deal with adidas "expired on Sept. 30 and though he has worn Nikes regularly at practice this season, he still used his signature Adidas sneakers in games," because he was paid royalties. Wall last week "revealed that he recently began experiencing discomfort in his left foot, in the same spot where he sustained a sprain his rookie season, which forced him to miss a handful of games." He wore the Nikes "to see if they could alleviate the pain" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/31).
