Collecting Shoes from the Greats Around the League

Published by in Blog on January 21st, 2010 | 35

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What’s good everyone? Just checking in from the road. We’re in the middle of a four-game road trip right now. We’re 2-0 so far on the trip with wins in Atlanta and Minnesota. We play at Memphis on Friday and head to Cleveland to face LeBron and the Cavs on Saturday. This should be a great test for us.

Anyway, I know the last time I blogged about my new KD II sneakers that are on sale right now, and that had me thinking about all the sneakers I’ve collected over the years from a ton of great player in this league.

I’m not sure what got me started on that. To be honest with you, I’m such a fan of different players that I’d rather ask for shoes or game-worn stuff than autographs. Some players have done their best to give them to me and they’re always happy to do so. I’m just a big fan of shoes and seeing guys wear different shoes.

So far I’ve collected Kobe’s, Joe Johnson’s, Andrei Kirilenko, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace. I’ve also got LeBron’s shoes. He autographed them for my little brother. So I’ve got a lot of guys. I’ve got some autographed, too. I’ve got Kobe’s autographed shoes — something a lot of people can’t say they have. I’ve also got Joe Johnson’s autographed. Players are really cordial. If I ask a player for shoes, an autograph or a jersey they do it right away.

My first ones were Kobe’s. He wore Huaraches, old Huaraches. It was during one of my rookie games and I was at the free throw line and I was like, ‘man, I like those. Can you sign them for me?’ He’s like, ‘yeah, I got you.’ So he sent them over to me. I thought he would have forgotten but he sent them right over to me after the game. I was kind of excited.

I just keep them all in a box in my closet for right now. But once I settle on a house situation and buy a house out here I’m going to have a room just for them.

I collected sneakers up until last season. Really, I just forgot about it, so that’s the only reason why I stopped collecting them. But I think I’m about to start again because there’s so many new shoes coming out this year.

Oh yeah, and for all the sneakers I’ve collected from different players, I’ve actually had a few players ask me for mine. Ron Artest asked me for mine in my first rookie preseason game. A couple of other guys have asked me for them. That’s an honor, too, when people want your sneakers.

If you could get game-worn sneakers from any player in the league, who would it be, retired players or current ones? Let me know in my comments section. Talk to you guys soon.

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  • wad1980

    I would want your shoes! I really believe you are a Top 3 talent in the NBA right now and you are only going to get better. I was happy that the Celtics won the 2008 Title, but it was a downer on Draft Lottery Night knowing we wouldn't have you for the next 15+ years!

  • JoseHustle

    I would probaly get MJ, Kobe, LeBron, Shaq and K.Durant. KD whats up with a pair Im a big fan !! Jose Hustle !!

  • http://twitter.com/Vejurnae Vejurnae

    If I could get any players shoes I'd have to go with MJ first, then I'd go with Nate Robinson, because we probably have the same size shoes annd I could rock em! lol

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Randy-Perry/544844245 Randy Perry

    I would love to see a picture of all those shoes!

  • anetwal35

    After you I would have to go with Scottie Pippen

  • Richie B

    If I could go back in time and get at a couple retired players for autographed gameworn shoes it would be Gary Payton and Scottie Pippen. Who could forget those all black Air max uptempos with the huge A.I.R. along the entire sides of the shoes. Pip had some classic kicks in the early mid 90's. Same goes for GP. He had one of those original zip fits like a glove shoes and his colorways with the flight uptempos and hyperflights were classic. Not to mention his later years spent with Jordan Brand. GP's last couple years with the Lakers and Celtics put out some classic PE Jordan kicks like his 12's and 9's. Plus, those are two of my favorite players ever to have watched play in the NBA.

  • gswarriorfan

    penny hardaway!!! beside that he's my all time favorite player (and the main reason I play ball myself) his shoes were always great!! especially the Nike Air Penny 2

  • http://fantasyshark.net/ mr_showtime

    MJ, Russell, Magic, Bird, Wilt. EPIC starting 5 of game-worn shoes. Would also be a nice mix of shoes from different eras and styles.

  • eddie beez

    im taking the Barkleys that say Sir Charles on the soles and the old kevin johnson converse with the lil strap and the gel.

  • ksc82

    Yours and Derrick Rose

  • http://www.twitter.com/my_own_prodigy Tyler

    I would have to say that I want westbrooks, I think he is going to explode in a charles barkly kind of way soon. I think he is going to be a mad assist machine. Hey KD follow me on twitter so I can DM you man,

    My_own_prodigy ~ twitter

  • http://twitter.com/JaxBileDuct Jax Raging Bile Duct

    Owning the hall of famer's shoes would be nice, but I'd rather have the shoes of the players I've loved through my life.

    Vernon Maxwell, Nick Van Exel, Alonzo Mourning as a kid.
    Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler were my two favorite players while the Hornets played in OKC.
    I would take anyone's shoes from this Thunder team, but would really like yours, Green's, Westbrook's, Harden's, Thabo's, Ibaka's and Collison's.

    Ha! Maybe I could get Scott Brook's shoes!

  • BB

    When I was in high school, I was a visiting team locker room attendant for the Mavs and I got a ton of signed game shoes – Jordan, 'Nique, Mailman, Barkley, Mullin, etc.

  • Nix

    Man, I would take a pair of Barkley's shoes.

    The first time the NBA ever came to OKC it was for a pre-season game between the Suns and the Mavericks. I was probably 8 and after the game Sir Charles threw his shoes out to a gang loud of people around him. His shoes flew right over my head. I was wearing my Barkley jersey wishing he'd throw me some. After that night I followed the NBA so close. I'm super glad we've got a team and even gladder it's run so well. We're lucky we inherited a team with great management.

    I'm about to order some KD2s. Hopefully I'll be able to get them signed by you if I see you around.

    Good luck with Memphis. We can beat them.

  • http://twitter.com/lolobln LoloBLN

    Dont u have T-Mac shoes? your game is bassed on him… oh well… he's adidas so u can't say it…

    Anyway besides your blog you're great and so talented, you're in my Top5

  • Chase

    You gotta get a pair of autographed AI Q's homie, thats what i'd be grabbin.

  • Steve

    After I get your shoes for my birthday I guess I would have to ask Dr. J

  • http://twitter.com/onoudidntgf Alan Leung

    I would get OJ Mayos shoes. He is one of my favorite up and coming players and the blue and yellow on his shoes are amazing! Every shoe is amazing. I was actually the one on Sole Collector that started the thread for him to get his own shoe. I wish nike released more OJ Mayo shoes and his HDs which are my grails

  • bherg

    HA! So is that what you guys be talking about when your waiting at the line, asking for each other's shoes? I always wondered what you guys be chopping it up about out there. If I were in your position i'd for sure have to cop me some RayRays! Also, I'd for sure take it “old” school real quick and ask Mr. GP himself for a pair. I already got your KD1's in the white wit the green and yellow trim…. Seattle Sonics fan till the day I die. It's heartbreaking watching you guys play in the OKC jerseys every night but I'm starting to come around. It's refreshing seeing you and the young crew (Westbrook, Green & Harden) tearing it up and taking away from the same old sportscenter talk like Kobe vs Lebron.. Tell your boy Green to keep doing his thing! One of the most underrated players in the NBA as well as a perfect compliment to your game. Keep it up KD, your shocking the world right now and we all know your only getting better…. it's scary to be honest. Next year Kobe vs Lebron vs Durant talk?? haha good luck tomorrow night against that Memphis squad! Their roster is just as nasty as yours and their hot right now. WB gonna go off on Conley tho, you'll be good! Be easy KD!

  • Bherg

    Yo i forgot to throw an idea at you… for the people in Haiti.. I know a lot of people these days don't have a lot of money or are struggling, but want to help out and donate. I was thinking at your home games you could have your fans bring in canned food or even old shoes and maybe they get a t-shirt or something for helping out! Just a thought…

  • richardwnz

    KD i'd take yours for sure!
    no chance of buying some?
    Rich

  • http://twitter.com/evico evico

    Being a big Clipper fan that I am I would want either the Air Jordan's that Ron Harper wore or the Reebok's that Danny Manning wore. But just for looks I would love to own your creamsicles! Who else can say they have a 50-50 bar shoe.

  • thunderfan

    saw you last night it was awesome! i would want yours and russels shoes!

  • nicknugget

    Larry Legend, Chauncey Billups……………………and KD35.

  • peter

    i'd like to get a pair from you man. i've been wanting to get them, but I just can't find them anywhere. Hopefully, this time around the two's will be accessible. Like you, I have not been getting some sneakers for a while, but I want to start up now esp now that there are some really sick ones out

  • stephbwell

    I already have the shoes I would want – yours that you signed for us. I would also like to have Kobe and MJ of course. Chris Paul would be another good one to get.

  • Nichole

    As far as retired players: Reggie Miller's, Gary Payton's, MJ, Vin Baker, Magic, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, and Penny Hardaway. Current players: Kobe's, LeBron's, Yours, Nate Robinson, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Dirk, Vince, Jason Kidd, Dwight Howard, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Russell, and O.J. Mayo's. Everybody's shoe is different and thats what attracts me 2 them…Different is good.

  • dobber05

    I most of the time get Melo's but about a year ago I saw your new shoes and i new they were the shoes for me. i still wear them and i think they were the best pair of shoes ive ever gotten.i wear them every day to school and to all my basketball games.Im probably gonna collect as many pairs of your shoes as i can because i like your shoes better than jordans and any other shoe.

  • Matthew

    i always rocked my AI 3's back in the day. it'd be sick to get some of his kicks. also yours, playboy. you're about to be the biggest name in sports.

  • http://twitter.com/kyleporter Kyle Porter

    The XI's

  • FrankieC15

    Well if it was players from the past or present, I would have to say Carmelo Anthony's sneaks. He's my favorite player all time because his game is sick and his kicks also are too. Also Scottie Pippen too because he was my favorite player before Melo came into the game.

  • ryreeboo

    How about the Karl Malone shoes that were banned by the NBA

  • slimwilky

    some shoes i'd kill to have, pistol pete, the doctor, air jordan, and wilt

  • Jesse

    If I could get just one, it would have to be David Robinson's!! =)

  • jagibson32

    haha no lie id ask you for your sneakers haha your my fav player

 

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