Sneakers and Footwear, We’re Looking At You, NBA Stars

You know what time it is: the Super Bowl hype is behind us, so we're free to give our full attention to the NBA season. Football had its moment, but basketball season is on, and there’s no better time to talk about the freshest looks in NBA-inspired sneaker culture.

There’s nothing wrong if you’re still rocking your football colors, but let’s be real, the NBA is where the most stylish athletes are. Week after week, new releases drop, with collabs driving trends, making us feel good on the street and give it our all on the court.

We don’t want to give ALL of our style tips away, but here’s where we look for inspiration when we curate our basketball shoe collections:

Inspiration #1: PE (Player Exclusive) models

PE models are sneakers designed specifically for some basketball players. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand create PEs to give their signature athletes a memorable on-court look. They generally first appear on the court, and the exact model may never be released to the public. These custom kicks feature unique colourways, personal logos, and designs tailored to an athlete’s playing style and preferences. Some of them are used to pay tribute to family members or have other personal connotations (think De’Aaron Fox’s Curry Fox 1 Reign Rose limited edition sneakers, which are a birthday tribute to his son). But the good news is that variations of these models eventually make it to the market. They’re a great marketing tool for brands because fans and collectors go crazy for these rare designs, hunting for pairs through resellers or waiting for brands to drop special editions inspired by the originals.

Inspiration #2: Retro releases

Sneaker brands love bringing back the big classics. Retro Jordans, classic Kobes, and throwback Nikes like Foamposites and Uptempos always make noise when they drop. They remind us of legendary moments in the history of Basketball, like Micheal Jordan’s game winners or Kobe Bryant’s clutch performances. But retro shoes aren’t just the same old shoes, though. They are more comfortable than they used to be, with new tech, better cushioning or upgraded materials. 

Inspiration #3: NBA plays

If PEs and retro releases lead the way, the third biggest inspiration for sneaker lovers has to be on-court moments. A single play, game, or performance can turn a signature shoe into an instant classic.

The world of Basketball will always remember when Michael Jordan hit “The Shot” in the Jordan 4s or when Kobe Bryant dropped 81 points in his Zoom Kobe. More recently, Steph Curry’s deep threes in his Under Armours or Ja Morant’s high-flying dunks in his signature Nikes have created new hype.  

Inspiration #4: Street style and social media

Can you say that you’ve even lived in the 21st century if you haven’t turned to pap pictures on social media to look for style ideas? NBA players, rappers, influencers, and even regular sneakerheads flex their latest pairs on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, which sends trends flying across our streets here in Aurora, Colorado and elsewhere around the world. Social media makes it easy for people to discover new styles, learn about upcoming drops, and see how sneakers look with different outfits. Street style pushes brands to experiment with colours, materials, and collabs that fit more than just basketball.  

Inspiration #5: Design

The real sneakerheads don’t just look at hype, they care about how a shoe is built. Brands constantly introduce new materials and better technical basketball shoes. Think of Adidas’ Boost cushioning or James Harden, who always makes sure that performance is at the heart of his collabs. Innovations change how sneakers feel on the court and in everyday life. But the most important thing is how they look on your feet. Sneakers with new shapes and unique details (like the Air Jordan 5’s reflective tongue or the Foamposite’s molded shell) become instant conversation starters.

Inspiration #6: Silhouette

Not every sneaker looks or feels the same on every person. So our latest nugget of wisdom in this article will be about your own silhouette. Are you the right fit for a Nike Dunk Low or an Adidas Yeezy? If you’re one of the lucky ones, they might all work on you. Or you may feel like wearing one silhouette or another on certain days. That’s all fine, versatility is what we’re in it for.

Keep all of the above in mind while watching your favorite team or player. It’s an opportunity to see your basketball heroes in action, but also to look for ideas to bring to your own game. But let this not be your only source of inspiration. The trends in footwear and streetwear are made on the streets as much as they are made on-court. If you're looking for a shoe deal near you to get you through an NBA all star weekend, hit us up at The Town Center at Aurora mall to get your hands on the hottest kicks.