June let everybody know that it was not a skippable month. July looks to up the ante partly due to the Olympic Games starting July 26. While many brands focus on Olympic-themed collections, July is more than just Paris apparel. Not to be lost in the shuffle: The mesh boyz are back, and a few homages to home with a bit of nostalgia.

Scratching a nostalgic itch

While Memphis Grizzles point guard Ja Morant spent limited time on the court this year due to a shoulder injury, he turned heads with his footwear choices when he did suit up. In particular, when Morant made his season debut, he debuted a pair of Nike Ja 1s in a flip of the fan-favorite “Scratch” colorway. When they saw the shoes, people immediately thought of the Grizzles’ former home of Vancouver.

This pair, now dubbed the “Reverse Scratch,” will finally be released. The predominantly white upper with hits of teal across the midsole and red on the heel shoe will hit shelves just in time for the Fourth of July and peak cookout season. Don’t be surprised if you see these on the feet of someone rocking a throwback Mike Bibby or Shareef Abdur-Rahim Vancouver jersey.

Release date: July 1

Retail price: $130

A subdued take on a style icon

Most people know New York Knicks play-by-play announcer Walt “Clyde” Frazier as a fashion and style icon who can be found on the sidelines of New York Knicks games. However, before the legendary Knicks guard found ways to make all the animal prints in the Sahara come together, he made waves in his Puma shoes. There’s a legend that at one point, Frazier wanted a new pair of shoes and a new shoe color for every game he played.

If you believe that, this spectra green pair could have easily been something Frazier would have wanted on his feet during or after the game. Spectra green dominates the upper, and a frosted ivory Formstrip is paired with white shoelaces to finish out the uppers. Don’t be surprised to see Frazier wearing them at some point.

Release date: July 1

Retail price: $120

GT-2160 is another one for the mesh boyz

Asics returns with another GT-2160 for the mesh boyz, just in time for the start of the 2024 Olympic Games. The “Paris” colorway arrives in a soft cream base with neon orange and green hits complemented by a silver overlay. The color scheme plays on Paris’ nickname, the City of Light. Like any other pair of Asics, keeping things clean and simple is best with a nice black T-shirt and gym shorts.

Release date: July 5

Retail price: $120

Jordan pays tribute to Carolina’s history

There’s something unique and fitting about NBA legend Michael Jordan’s synergy of growing up in North Carolina, going on to star at UNC, and having the nickname of His Airness. The latest Jordan 1 High is a tribute to MJ’s Carolina roots and the state.

Carolina Blue is the star of the show, sitting on top of a sail white upper paired with navy blue on the heel and collar. The gold “Wings” logo combined with “First in Flight” underneath the Nike Air tag on the shoe’s tongue is a nice touch that makes this pair exceptional, not just another run-of-the-mill Jordan 1 release.

Making this pair a women’s exclusive shows that the Jordan brand can truly create unique products for women who are also sneakerheads.

Release date: July 6

Retail price: $160

The Sunders return

The Air Max Sunders are back for the first time since the cross-training model’s 1999 release, other than the Comme des Garçons collaboration in 2021. Early previews indicate Nike intends to reissue OG colorways and tooling, much to the delight of enthusiasts and purists. The only drawback would be the price increase, but chalk that up to inflation and be happy this retro means adding a wearable pair into the rotation.

Release date: July 11

Retail price: $180

Action Bronson’s latest gets a second chance

The initial releases for the Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R “Medusa Azul” and “Rosewater” were chaotic, especially the latter one, which initially required buyers to purchase a bundle that included a $125 crewneck. Needless to say, people were angry. It’s a shame, too, since all three shoes from the 1906R collaboration have been good entries for chef/rapper Action Bronson. The botched releases tend to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.

Now, a wider release via New Balance is slated to give those interested another opportunity to purchase at retail. Everybody loves a good do-over.

Release date: July 12

Retail price: $185

A Ma Maniere returns to the Air Jordan 3

There’s a certain level of skill and care about one’s craft required to release products at the rate that James Whitner and A Ma Maniere do with their Jordan collabs, and each one feels fresh and unique. That’s the case here as A Ma Maniere returns to the Jordan 3 to deliver another unique take on the classic silhouette.

Unlike the “Raised By Women” collab from 2021, the new release takes on a darker tonal approach. It features a black upper with a soft plum tongue and A Ma Maniere and Jordan’s logo on the left and right shoe tongues. The highlight of this pair is the suede mudguard and heel counter used to replace the usual elephant print for which the model is best known. According to the standard with A Ma Maniere, we can expect all these details and more to be done with premium materials.

Release date: July 18

Retail price: TBD

The basketball shoe of the year gets updated

Ask most sneakerheads, and they’ll tell you that Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards’ Adidas signature shoe, the AE1, is undoubtedly the basketball shoe of the year. Edwards’ play and personality on the court and Adidas’ fresh marketing approach made this shoe a must-have for hoopers and sneakerheads.

What do you do for an encore? Take the top off, of course. The AE 1 Low debuts in a marbled grey paired with a black upper colorway nicknamed the ascent. That name fits because Edwards and his shoes aim to climb to the top of the NBA and the footwear world.

Release date: July 20

Retail price: $110

A Jordan 3 made for rec league all-stars

Yes, this is a list of must-cop sneakers. However, when the greatest sneaker of all time returns as a cleat, it’s only right that we show a little love. The Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” cleat features almost everything we love about the traditional version of the Jordan 3. The beloved “Nike Air” branding on the heel tab is the only thing missing. These will turn heads on the rec and intramural fields.

Release date: July 27

Retail price: $200

Kyrie Irving’s love letter home

When Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving signed with Chinese brand Anta, many were still determining how things would go for the star. Now that Irving has found his sneaker home, he’s paying tribute to the state that raised him.

This edition of the Anta Kai 1 “Garden State” has sage green hues that evoke the Statue of Liberty. However, the true beauty and nod to the “Garden State” of New Jersey come once you look closer and see the floral print in the sage green hues.

Release date: July

Retail: $120

Remembering that childlike ’90s fun

Any kid who grew up and ran around outside during the ’90s usually carried one of two things: a Super Soaker (you were really the cool kid if you had the backpack one) and a Nerf gun. The latest KD 4 retro recaptures that fun feeling, plus the essence of the shoe’s original 2012 release.

A primarily concord upper is dressed with red, grey and green to match the classic Nerf logo and color scheme from the ’90s. Black across the midsole paired with a red sole with a splatter effect ties this shoe together and perfectly completes the eye-catching appeal. Add in a concord-colored shoe box that features the same airbrushed graffiti effect that the straps on the shoe’s upper use, and it completes the “It’s summertime, and I’m outside with my friends” feeling the shoe was aiming for.

Release date: July

Retail: $130

A Yeezy firesale

When Adidas announced that it was ending its partnership with rapper Kanye West, many people wondered what would happen to the brand’s entire inventory of Yeezy products. Simple: Put it up for sale on Adidas’ Confirmed app and website and discount-specific models.

If you’ve been searching for a pair of Yeezy’s at retail, now is as good as a chance you may have to get them before they’re gone to the resale market for good.

Release date: June 23

Retail: Starting at $115

Every year, people try to jump from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day and ignore everything in between. When it comes to sneakers, everybody is trying to treat June like the lead-up to Christmas.

May was packed full of big-name collabs and releases to kick off the summer season, and July looks to be a massive month with Olympic-themed releases. June is in between two holiday months but still has plenty to offer. From a WNBA star’s new signature shoe to New Balance continuing its impressive run to Adidas’ first entry in this series, plus the return of a shoe we thought would never see the light of day again, it’s clear that June is not a skippable month.

To paraphrase Outkast: “June got something to say.”

A Kobe that’s not a Nike

Before joining the swoosh and releasing some of the best basketball shoes, young Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was making waves at Adidas. Many of those young Kobe highlights we all know and love, Bryant accomplished in Adidas.

The KB8 2 was one of the models with which Kobe made his name. It now returns as the Crazy 98 “Lakers Home.” If there’s an Adidas basketball shoe that fits the ’90s aesthetic, this is it.

A white mesh upper featuring synthetic leather overlays with just enough purple to fit the NBA’s dress code for shoes to match team colors shows how a simple design can be more than enough. This shoe is undoubtedly a must-have for Kobe fans and collectors.

Release date: June 1

Retail price: $150

Adidas moves into the NEIGHBORHOOD

Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD returns with another joint offering with Adidas. Last year, they created their take on one of Adidas’ newer models, the NMD S1. Now, the brand tackles one of the most iconic silhouettes in sneakers, the Adidas Superstar.

Keeping things clean and straightforward, the Superstar is primarily cement grey, with white hits highlighting the accents, such as the iconic skull and swords logo that NEIGHBORHOOD uses and the “craft with pride” on the heel tab.

Release date: June 1

Retail price: $160

One for the ‘Girl Dads’

A few of the more charming things many people learned about the post-playing career of Bryant was his deep appreciation for women’s basketball and how the sport created a bond between him and his daughter Gianna. The upcoming Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Girl Dad” pulls its inspiration from the widely recognized courtside moment shared between father and daughter, the bicoastal green drawing from his knit hat, the orange insoles inspired by his hoodie and the “Girl Dad” print on the tongue taken from the phrase popularized after Bryant’s death.

Release date: June 7

Retail price: $190

A perfect pink pair

Originally released exclusively in Japan in 2001, the “Linen” Nike Air Force 1 brings back warm feelings of a time when buying shoes required access more than cash. Finding these in order to buy them was an exercise in navigating sneaker messageboards, sites written in languages other than English, and excruciatingly long shipping times, as items took weeks to arrive from Asia. But they were worth it since the color combo was unfamiliar (in a good way), and the materials used at that time were splendid.

Now, it’s 2024, and anyone can buy them with an internet connection and a credit card.

Release date: June 13

Retail price: $135

Asics keeps things light and fun

The ASICS GEL-Kayano is one of the most iconic silhouettes in running. Mark Ong aka SBTG decided to go to the GEL-Kayano and simplify things while being creative. The vanilla and black colorways feature a silicon flood guard over the bottom half of the shoe’s upper and a removable “monsoon patrol” lace shroud to tie in and complete the wet weather theme.

Release date: June 15

Retail price: $222

Live and in Prime Time

If you ask most sneakerheads if they thought they would ever see the return of Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ Nike signature shoes, the answer would have been no. Given the history between Nike and Sanders when he said he would never work with the brand again, it seemed far-fetched that we would see the shoe, and if we did, it would be similar to Adidas’ Kobe Bryant models.

Now that Nike and Sanders have made amends, we can own arguably the best shoe made for a football athlete since former pro baseball and football athlete Bo Jackson’s Air Trainer II.

The Nike Air Diamond Turf Max ’96 returns for the first time since 2013. Featuring a white leather upper partially covered in black nubuck to create a ripped or torn appearance paired with a maize-colored swoosh, it is a shoe that is as subtle yet in your face as Sanders was.

Release date: June 16

Retail price: $170

Nina Chanel serves shades of green

When it comes to a Jordan Brand and Nina Chanel collab, you can guarantee that there will be a creative use of textures. The artist and painter’s upcoming Jordan 3 showcases just that by using suede and canvas on the upper, which features malachite-colored greens paired with a fossil midsole and rope laces to create a visually appealing and unique pair that will genuinely be different due to the materials the shoe uses.

Paired with a unique “Nike Air” heel tab that could easily be one of Mr. FlowerFantastic’s creations, this is another solid entry from Chanel and the Jumpman. 

Release date: June 20

Retail price: $225

An OG Jordan returns

Jordan Brand has been slowly releasing classic colorways over the past few years. In particular, it has released colors and models from the Jordan 1 “Metallic Pack.”

The metallic burgundy colorway is the latest pair released from the metallic pack. Simple, clean white leather is paired with a burgundy red swoosh, collar, and outsole. This release also includes the shoe returning with the 1985 design specifications, which include a higher collar and cut than the usual Jordan 1 high releases. 

Release date: June 22

Retail price: $200

A Kobe that’s not a Kobe

That was the reception to New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s debut shoe, the Sabrina 1. From the looks to how the shoe played, it felt like one of Bryant’s Nike signature shoes. The Sabrina 2 takes that feeling and clarifies that Ionescu’s relationship with Bryant inspired the shoe.

Combining a solid black embroidered upper with purple accents on top of a predominantly white midsole creates a look that allows the shoe to be an eye-catcher on and off the court. Add in Nike Zoom Air and Cushlon 3.0 in the forefoot and midsole, and you have the perfect setup for a shoe that can be comfortable both on and off the basketball court.

Release date: June 28

Retail price: $130

An updated take on an Adidas hoops classic

The Crazy IIInfinity is unique shoe because while it’s obvious that it’s meant to be a spiritual, if not lineal, successor to the Crazy 1 that Bryant made famous during the 2000 NBA playoffs, it’s classified as an Adidas Original lifestyle release instead of being marketed as a basketball shoe.

The latest colorway takes full advantage of the shoe’s minimalistic design by using shades of white to highlight those design elements. The breathable mesh upper and shroud are the primary focus, as the use of chalk white that started in the midsole gives way to the laces and tongue underneath, unlike previous models.

Release date: June (TBD)

Retail price: $160

New Balance stays ‘Made in USA’

In May, we discussed the Teddy Santis’ versions of the 993. This month, the brand returns with a 993 that doesn’t have a collaboration attached but is equally good.

Starting with the shoe’s sole, New Balance carefully builds this pair of 993 to make the most of a simple colorway. A gum bottom sole gives way to another two-tone midsole that seamlessly pairs sea salt white with regular white, providing a contrast with the sole. A white mesh-backed upper of sea salt white with black accents completes the shoe and provides a perfect summer shoe that goes with everything.

Again, we’re bending the rules a bit here because the shoe was released in May. However, the release date was just confirmed, and the shoe is still available in plenty of sizes.

Release date: May 31

Retail price: $220

Not your dad’s boring gray shoes

Rapper and chef Action Bronson tends to go colorful with his New Balance collaborations – the “Baklava” and “Lapis Lazuli” New Balance 990v6s turned heads from last year. The “Rosewater” New Balance 1906R follows the same script, using a blast of colors while taking advantage of the silhouette’s various materials and overlays to produce one lively shoe.

Release date: May 31

Retail price: $185

The machine of sneaker culture never stops or even slows down. Whether it is a leaked image of an upcoming collaboration or the latest retro model, there is always something for casual fans and sneaker enthusiasts to discuss. Rapper Travis Scott and Jordan Brand return with another big-name collab. Others aim to make their mark with the digital mood board turned design studio JJJJound releasing a collaboration with Reebok and Aimé Leon Dore founder Teddy Santis continuing his stellar run with New Balance. Fan favorite retros such as the Air Jordan 4 and Nike KD 4 join the release schedule alongside new basketball models for San Antonio Spurs rookie center Victor Wembanyama and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart to round out a packed month of releases.

Here are some of the noteworthy releases for May.

Keeping it ‘Made in the USA’

New Balance has been making a name for itself as the brand for collaborators. Between releases for Joe Freshgoods, Salehe Bembury, and Action Bronson, New Balance has been using some of its more popular silhouettes to showcase materials and colors. The “Made In USA” 993 continues that trend as Santis delivers the Spring/Summer 2024 edition of his Season Five collection with New Balance.

The “Interstellar” colorway of the New Balance 993 is a plush purple nubuck on top of midsoles mixed with shades of white to create a perfect pairing that even the starkest of New Balance detractors would approve of. Between these and the “Chive” colorway, New Balance continues its hot streak.

Release date: May 2

Retail price: $219.99

A classic gets a vintage treatment

The Nike Attack has been one of the most featured models in Nike’s rotation since its return in 2023. Whether it was the highly sought-after collab with Scott, three releases from Social Status, or the everyday rotation essential colors, Nike has made it clear it plans to make former tennis star John McEnroe’s signature shoe as in-your-face as his playing style was.

The “Better with Age” colorway looks to continue pushing things forward while paying homage to the past. An aged look with a primarily off-white upper and cracked blue leather shows this could easily pass for a pair that McEnroe once owned.

Release date: May 3

Retail price: $135

Jordan Brand completes the OG Jordan 4 cycle

Jordan Brand made it clear that the Air Jordan 4 would get its proper due for its 35th anniversary when it released the Reimagined Playoff 4s during NBA All-Star weekend. Adding to the shoe’s celebration is the long-awaited return of the “Industrial Blue” colorway, a slightly darker shade of blue than the original “Military Blue,” but otherwise true to its original specs, including the Nike Air heel branding.

Considering the last time we saw the “Military Blue” version was in 2012, this is a must-have for enthusiasts and casuals.

Release date: May 5

Retail price: $215

NBA sneaker champ gets another collab

P.J. Tucker has made a name for himself as the NBA’s undisputed sneaker king. Throughout his career, Tucker has had a knack for finding kicks that seemed unattainable. He has even debuted his teammates’ signature shoes before they did. He’s back with his third collab sneaker following his Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE (2020) and Converse Pro Leather High (2022).

Designed as an ode to his North Carolina roots and love for international travel, the PJ Tucker x Nike Air Flight ’89 Low arrives dressed in a textured, baby blue suede upper and his “Flight P.J. 17” logo adorns the heel. The Flight ’89 is already a classic basketball silhouette that was once the go-to for former NBA forward Scottie Pippen. Tucker’s Flight ’89 will add to the legacy, especially considering the only place they can be purchased is Tucker’s boutique, The Better Generation.

Release date: May 5

Retail price: $160

JJJJound x Reebok keep it plain and simple

Not every collaboration needs bells and whistles. There are times when less is more, which is where the JJJJound x Reebok Club C 85 fits in the rotation. The Montreal designer always chooses an understated approach, with slight tweaks applied to materials and an emphasis on colors. The suede version of this Reebok classic comes outfitted in three options: “Cork Suede,” “White Suede” and “Light Grey Suede.”

Release date: May 9

Retail price: $150

The current longest-running women’s signature basketball shoe returns

With all the talk about why no Black WNBA player has a signature shoe, we should remember that Breanna Stewart currently leads the pack as Puma prepares to release the third version of her signature kicks. With tonal shades of orange and pink used to mimic an early sunrise, the “Dawn” colorway of the Stewie 3 looks to continue the success of the previous two models.

It makes perfect sense to release the newest edition of the Stewie signature line right as a new era of the WNBA dawns this season.

Release date: May 14

Retail price: $125

Nike PE for Victor Wembanyama evokes an extraterrestrial moniker

If there’s one word constantly used to describe Wembanyama, it’s “alien,” ever since Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James gave him the label before the 2023 NBA draft (the nickname actually existed long before, but more on that later). It’s fitting that his player-exclusive colorway of the Nike Zoom G.T. Hustle 2 gets a public release and plays upon the extraterrestrial moniker.

At first glance, the sneaker evokes memories of the Nike Foamposite “ParaNorman” and shares key features such as the glow-in-the-dark sole and the black and apple green color scheme. This edition of the G.T. Hustle 2 looks like a crossover born to be worn on and off the court.

Release date: May 15

Retail price: $170

The Jordan collab king is back

When it comes to Nike, Scott owns the lead spot as the brand’s biggest artist collaborator. Scott recently released his new model, the Jumpman Jack TR, and is now preparing for another Jordan 1 collaboration.

This time, the Jordan 1 low starkly departs from the other releases regarding color. The first few Jordan 1 collabs were more tonal and dark in choice. Bright canary yellow joins a blue Swoosh on a white upper with a gum bottom that clearly is meant for summer rotation.

Release date: May 17

Retail price: $150

A fan favorite from the not-so-distant past returns

A new trend in the sneaker world is signature athletes who are still active in the league, such as Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, having retro models rereleased. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is now part of that club, as some of his earlier KD models got the retro treatment. The latest retro to join the collection is the KD 4 “Weatherman.”

First seen in 2011, the bright orange, green and volt-colored shoe was an immediate eye-catcher. Mimicking a weather radar image showing a thunderstorm, this pair is hands down one of the best executions of matching a shoe’s theme to its nickname.

Release date: May 21

Retail price: $130

‘Lightning’ colorway strikes twice

When it comes to Michael Jordan’s run as a Washington Wizards guard, most of his court activity is forgettable. However, his footwear choices are a part of history. Whether wearing the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 9s or a Wizards edition of the Jordan 3, MJ provided plenty of sneaker moments. The most significant came when he wore the Air Jordan 17 Low in white/lightning during the NBA All-Star Game in 2002.

The “Lightning” colorway turned heads thanks to its unique packaging. In 2002, a metal briefcase featuring the iconic Jumpman logo was viewed as unique and maybe even excessive by some. However, it fits right in today and also helps justify the price for a Jordan model that isn’t one of the more iconic silhouettes.

Release date: May 30

Retail price: $300

Asics serves the best mesh

As the “mesh boyz” trend continues to pick up momentum, why not look at the purveyors of the style for options? Over the last few years, Asics has produced retro runners worthy of consideration. The best part is that most of the models were available widely at retail, which made them easy to buy without breaking the bank. This latest Gel-2160 comes equipped with white mesh, silver overlays and light blue accents. Keep things simple with a white T-shirt and lightweight shorts.

We’re bending the rules since these were technically released on April 27, but they’re just now starting to hit boutique accounts.

Release date: April 27

Retail price: $120

After months of speculation, Embiid returned wearing the Skechers SKX Float in a white, black, and orange colorway. After his Under Armor deal expired, The Athletic reported a possible Embiid/Skechers partnership in October 2023. On Tuesday, footwear industry reporter Nick DePaula reported that the current league MVP reportedly signed a multiyear agreement with the Los Angeles company to be the face of its basketball division along with New York Knicks forward Julius Randle and LA Clippers shooting guard Terance Mann. Skechers could not be reached for comment regarding a potential deal with Embiid or its plans.

There’s no officially stated reason Embiid left Under Armour after five years. It was reported that the longtime Sixer was unhappy with his promotion and standing with the brand. During his run with the Baltimore company, he won the NBA MVP award during the 2022-2023 season. The brand’s most notable ad during that run was the What are the odds commercial that aired before the start of the 2022 season. In comparison, brands like Nike turn out ads relatively quickly after one of their athletes makes history. Nike produced the Debate This commercial after Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2017. Embiid never seemed to receive the spotlight a player of his stature typically earns.

Many view Skechers as a lifestyle brand that caters to young kids, middle-aged and older adults rather than a brand that could compete in the active sports market. However, Skechers recorded record sales of $8 billion in 2023, a 7.7% increase in year-over-year sales. Those earnings leave it far behind industry giants such as Nike ($52 billion) and Adidas ($23 billion). Skechers is in the same range as Puma ($9 billion) and Under Armour ($5.9 billion).

Skechers signing Embiid also continues the trend of the brand appealing to a new generation. Business executive Martha Stewart and rapper Snoop Dogg recently endorsed the brand and landed a Super Bowl commercial. The company also signed former Premier League star and captain of England’s national team, Harry Kane, as the face of its soccer division. It’s clear that even if Skechers doesn’t have the cool of Nike or Adidas, the money is there. That cash flow allows it to compete with big-name brands, and the company seems willing to innovate more than others.

From Embiid’s standpoint, this reported deal is an opportunity for him to be the face of a company. He was always No. 2 at Under Armour behind Stephen Curry. Embiid had only one signature shoe, the Embiid One. Curry had multiple pairs of his signature line, established his Curry Brand imprint and expanded his product range to golf and more apparel.

Embiid and Skechers can do something similar if they decide to go in that direction.

Looking at Skechers’ current basketball offerings, it is a safe bet that a signature shoe for Embiid is likely coming and will be in a similar price range. Pair that with a golden opportunity to do a “takedown” or cheaper model of Embiid’s signature shoe, and that’s a win for all parties.

One key factor and possible reason for Embiid to make the move is the access that Skechers has as a brand. Skechers is on its way to 10,000 company-owned stores and is in most big box stores such as Academy Sports, Rack Room Shoes, and Shoe Station. While the other big-name brands are often found in those same stores, there are usually only a handful of models, and frequently, there’s not a marquee name attached. Skechers, however, has a strong presence in those stores, especially kids’ shoes.

Embiid could lace up future Skechers basketball models that would end up in stores like that. Imagine if Embiid dropped 50 points in a critical playoff game wearing a pair of Skechers that retailed for around $100 or less and was available at a Rack Room Shoes or Shoe Station. That would give a kid who looks up to Embiid a chance to wear the identical shoe he wears and allow the parent to buy a solid shoe at an affordable price.

While the reported Embiid and Skechers deal is significant, it also shows that the days of athletes looking to sign with one of the big three shoe brands have changed. Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand used to have robust rosters that often featured the marquee names and top NBA players. Looking at the top players in the NBA today, you’ll see many brands represented, from Puma to Converse to New Balance to Chinese brands such as Li-Ning, Anta, and 361 Degrees. Names associated with those brands include NBA champions such as Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Kyrie Irving.

An essential part of many of these deals is that the big three once signed these marquee names. Irving and Jokić were once signed to Nike during their careers before deciding to go with Chinese brands. Jokić left Nike in December 2023 after winning the NBA Finals and joined 361 Degrees as a signature athlete with his own shoe and became a global brand ambassador. Irving’s deal with Anta gave him the role of chief creative officer. Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade was once the face of Converse and Jordan Brand before joining Li-Ning. He has turned the Way of Wade brand into one of the most popular Chinese brands on the court.

With Embiid reportedly joining a similar brand in Skechers, it shows that what was once a market with only a few options for a significant endorsement deal is now wide open. When athletes consider where to sign, they are not just looking for a signature shoe or exclusive player editions. Players are looking for greater benefits, such as part ownership, and how these deals will help them in the long run. It’s become less about the shoe company and more about the player and their brand.

Only time will tell what will come from the reported relationship between Embiid and Skechers. However, if what Curry has with Under Armour or what Irving is building with Anta is any indication, then surely Skechers and Embiid will deliver a truly unique signature shoe and experience worthy of a player of Embiid’s status.

Now, thirty-five years later, Nike is revisiting the moment for this year’s All-Star Weekend by releasing an updated take on the classic shoe called the Air Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined, a newly revised version of the original silhouette.

According to Nike, the Air Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined is a “re-engineered shape, fit, and feel back to the original ’89 specs.” In terms of a revamped feel, Nike swapped the original canvas and nubuck upper with a premium full-grain leather upper to give the shoe a more sophisticated feel. Keeping in line with the “back to ’89” theme, the Bred Reimagined features Nike Air branding on the back heel tab, the outsole, and the shoe’s insoles, which will excite fans of the original and collectors for this release. In honor of Michael Jordan’s 61st birthday, the latest Jordan 4 retro will be released on February 17th. 

The legacy of His Airness’ fourth signature shoe may have begun in the All-Star game. However, if it wasn’t for a lingering knee injury, the Bred Jordan 4s may have debuted the night before during the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, as MJ was looking to win the event three years in a row. Instead of seeing what MJ would do to top highlights from the previous year, fans had to settle for Jordan delivering a game-high 28 points for the Eastern Conference team.  

But what gave the shoe its real legacy would come later that same season. 

On May 7, Jordan’s Chicago Bulls faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deciding game five of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. With the game and series on the line, Jordan hit a jumper over Cleveland’s Craig Ehlo in a play that became known as “The Shot.” The play helped fuel Jordan’s quest to become one of the game’s greatest. And the shoes he wore were tied into that story.

Noted Jordan and Kobe collector Marvin Barias, known by his Instagram handle, MJO23DAN, was old enough to recall watching the Bulls player transform into a star. “The Air Jordan 4 dropped when Jordan was trying to establish himself as a leader and also trying to beat the Bad Boy Pistons, Larry Bird’s Celtics and Magic Johnson’s Lakers. ‘The Shot’ was important because it proved MJ could lead his team to victory in clutch situations,” he said.

Nike has always been great at marketing their products, and in this case, having Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon persona paired with Jordan during a time when both of them were ascending to their respective GOAT status was a match made in heaven. There’s something special about the simplistic nature of the “Can/Can’t” and “No Mars” commercials that gave just enough teases of this colorway to build anticipation. Having Lee be the braggadocious hype man to Jordan, who barely said anything, was the perfect yin and yang pairing. Taking one of the greatest trash-talkers of all time and having him come off as kind and relatable? Genius.

“I first saw the Black and Red Jordan 4s in a commercial with MJ and Spike Lee in November 1988,” said Mark “Jumpman” Bostic, a long-time collector of Jordan footwear. “When the (Air Jordan) 4s finally released in 1989, I went crazy for them. The commercial with MJ and Spike sold the shoes.”

The last part of the equation of what makes the Black and Red Jordan 4 special is that there have only been four retros before this year’s release, and only two have featured the original Nike Air branding, a key detail for collectors who desire one-to-one facsimiles of the shoes Jordan wore on the court. Bostic, who owns all of the previous black and red Jordan 4 Retros, can detail the differences between each release and how they stack up to the originals.

Besides the differences mentioned, Bostic cited more specifics on what separates one release from the other: “The 1999 release had nice materials, still had the Nike Air branding, albeit in a different font, and felt close to the original despite there being a change to the toe box. The 2008 pair released as part of the Countdown Pack was a major disappointment. The Jumpman branding on the heel didn’t bother me, but the makeup of the shoe in the form of cheap material, a wide cut, and the heavy feel of the shoe took away from the original and 1999 releases,” he said.

“The 2012 release was not much better than the 2008 version, with many of the same problems,” Bostic continued. “The 2019 release was outstanding and closest to the original 1989, with the look and feel superior to the previous two releases. I’m looking forward to the upcoming release because the full grain leather gives the shoe an upgraded look.”

Barias agreed that previous retros didn’t exactly hit the mark. “The 2008 and 2012 releases of the Black and Red Jordan 4s always looked off due to the Jumpman branding replacing the Nike Air branding on the back,” he said. “Hopefully, with the Remastered program and the Reimagined line the Nike Air branding on the heel is here to stay. As collectors, we remember the Nike Air being featured in all of MJ’s moments.”