Rockets G James Harden will "wear shoes with 'Free Meek' covering" his Adidas sneakers tomorrow night when he "steps on the court against the Celtics in Boston," a reference to the player's friendship with incarcerated rapper Meek Mill, according to a source cited by Deantae Prince of SI.com. Harden is just the "latest in a long line of members of the NBA family to support" Mill, who is currently "serving a two-four year jail sentence" in Pennsylvania. Fanatics Founder and 76ers investor Michael Rubin has been the "most vocal on this subject, trying to save Meek Mill from prison." 76ers players, including C Joel Embiid and G Ben Simmons, also have "showed support by sporting 'Free Meek Mill' hoodies." Harden's longtime friendship with the rapper is "well-documented," as the two have been "on stage together at shows, basketball games and charity events throughout the years" (SI.com, 12/26).
WELCOME BRIGADE: SB NATION's Michael Sykes noted Nike is welcoming injured Cavaliers G Isaiah Thomas "back to basketball with his own special player edition Kobe A.D. ‘Mamba Mentality’ sneaker" in a "wine and gold Cavaliers colorway." The shoe "has Thomas’ initials on the heel and a small checkmark on the upper-lateral in the shadow where the typical larger checkmark would be." The shoe also "feature’s Kobe Bryant’s logo on the back and heel of the shoe" (SBNATION.com, 12/26).
