J.R. Smith last year wore light green-bottom shoes in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the WarriorsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA for the "first time in league history" will allow players to "wear sneakers of any color at any point during the upcoming season," according to sources cited by Nick DePaula of ESPN.com. The rule change is "part of the NBA's ongoing effort to allow its players to be expressive on the court." Last season saw the "addition of several alternate jersey designs and the removal of traditional white-based jerseys worn only for home games." Teams were "at their own discretion to designate their home and road jersey colors." League-wide jersey sponsor Nike has been "aggressive in amplifying the look of teams and players." The only ongoing restrictions "will regard third-party logos, which still will have to be preapproved by the league office." There remain restrictions against any "sharp protruding objects or reflective elements." Each team "can have its own color policy beyond the league's loosened guidelines" (ESPN.com, 8/28). ESPN's Mike Golic said of the move by the NBA, “This is why the league and players get along better and better." Golic: “The NBA, good for them. Definitely setting some trends and now doing it with the sneakers." ESPN's Trey Wingo: "You get the idea that going into this, the players, the owners and the teams are in this together, and it's why this continues to work” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 8/29).
SHOE GAME: SI.com's Kellen Becoats noted while sneaker culture is "part and parcel in the NBA," the options for WNBA players are "not as plentiful." No current WNBA player "has her own signature shoe." Minnesota Lynx F Maya Moore, who in '11 became the "first female basketball player to sign" with Jordan Brand, still "doesn't have her own model." But none of this "means that sneakerhead culture in the WNBA is dormant." Whether it be Las Vegas Aces G Tamera Young's "seemingly endless collections of Jordans," or Seattle Storm F Breanna Stewart "promoting messages to go out and vote or partnering with RAINN to make shoes that help survivors of sexual assault, sneaker culture and deeper meanings behind the shoes that the athletes wear abound" (SI.com, 8/28).
