Warriors G Stephen Curry "stands by" his new Under Armour "Chef Curry" shoes, and he said that if "they were in his bag, he would've worn them" in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, according to Ananth Pandian of CBSSPORTS.com. Curry said, "If I had them in my road bag, I definitely would have worn them. Shown how fire they are" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/11). ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst noted the shoes "became a popular punching bag on social media in the 48 hours between Games 3 and 4, with many users mocking them as uncool." Those who made fun of the shoes "branded them as something for nurses, teachers or senior citizens -- not the niche market Under Armour is targeting." Curry said that he "saw some of the jokes and mocking nicknames and enjoyed them." He said, "I love the nicknames they came up with. But I like (the shoes)" (ESPN.com, 6/11). In Baltimore, Jeff Barker noted this is an "unfamiliar position for Under Armour, which prides itself on being cutting edge and youth-oriented, to be receiving online attention for a shoe that critics say looks anything but cool" (Baltimore SUN, 6/11).
EVERYONE'S A CRITIC: Comedian Daniel Baker described the shoes as "plain unflavored yogurt," and added that the backlash "comes in part because the sneaker’s aesthetic contrasts sharply" with Curry’s stature in the NBA. Baker said, "He’s the MVP of the NBA, the crème de la crème in the flashiest sports league in the world, and he’s got these bland sneakers" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/12). ESPN's Israel Gutierrez said fathers looking for the perfect pair to rock on the riding lawn mower would "love these mostly white gems that scream responsibility." Or anyone looking for the "ideal kicks to match those freshly pleated khakis would scoop these up without even checking if Under Armor is releasing a Velcro version." The truth is NBA players take "great pride in their signature shoes and the nonstop internet jabs have to bug Curry, even if he laughed them off" (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN2, 6/12). But in L.A., Dexter Thomas wrote of the shoes, "Yes, they look like something Mitt Romney wears when he mows the front lawn." However, "we're missing the point: The new Steph Curry 2 Lows are a regular-looking shoe, and Stephen Curry is a regular-looking dude. It’s a perfect match" (LATIMES.com, 6/11).
