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SPORTSTuesday 16 February 2016

At All-Star weekend, it’s all about specially designed shoes

JON KRAWCZYNSKI get one of the sneakers.” We’re honestly just getting

AP Basketball Writer The 100 pairs that he’ll re- started with where we’re at

TORONTO (AP) — All-Star lease will be numbered. as a basketball brand and

weekend is one of the big- What Wade is wearing Sun- very excited about what’s

gest of the NBA season for day night won’t be — his to come. It’s nice to be as

stars like LeBron James, are a tad different. hands-on as I can be.”

Steph Curry, James Harden Jordan has shown that

and Dwyane Wade. “I just think it’s cool,” Wade the shoe game offers the

It’s even bigger for Nike, said. “That’s the story. All- truly elite players a way to

Under Armour, Adidas and Star weekend, just look- remain in the public con-

Li-Ning. ing to do something that I sciousness long after their

With all the big stars in To- thought was cool.” playing days are over. In-

ronto and millions of fans Wade is certainly not alone. diana Pacers All-Star Paul

watching around the world, All-Stars Kyle Lowry and George sees Lakers star

the big shoe companies James Harden will be wear- Kobe Bryant, who is play-

have turned the basketball ing new Adidas sneakers ing in his final All-Star game,

court into a fashion runway during the game. James In this undated photo provided by Li-Ning, Dwyane Wade’s spe- following a similar path with
and unveiling specially de- debuted a new version of cial All-Star sneakers are displayed. With all the big stars in To- his Nike shoes, one that will
signed sneakers during the his Nike sneakers this week- ronto and millions of fans watching around the world, the big get kids for generations to

game on Sunday. end called the 13 Lows, a shoe companies have turned the basketball court into a runway come interested in his dy-
black shoe with white and and are breaking out specially designed sneakers to unveil dur- namic game even though
When it comes to the red trim and his signature ing the game on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. his career is coming to an
events of All-Star weekend, end this season.
Associated Press

the shoe launches are right

up there on the anticipa-

tion meter with the 3-point

shootout and the slam

dunk contest.

Wade has his designers

from Chinese-based Li-Ning

come up with something

multicolored — almost rain-

bow-esque — with a shiny

look. His fans can get them,

but they’ll have to work

for it since only 100 pairs of

Wade’s All-Star shoe will be

released. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) custom shoes

“When people get it they’ll are shown during the first half of the NBA all-star basketball The custom shoes of Western Conference’s Kobe Bryant, of the
know this is a special All- game, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 in Toronto. Los Angeles Lakers, (24) are shown during the first half of the
NBA all-star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 in Toronto.
Associated Press

we want and what we Associated Press

want to do from a comfort,

style, technology piece,”

James said. “We pick each “The people that didn’t
other’s brain and go from grow up watching Jordan,
there. We figure it out and his shoes told stories,” said
stuff like this happens. It’s George, who has worn Bry-
pretty cool. ant’s shoe since his high

The 13 Lows, coming to a Oklahoma City Thunder for- school days. “From there,
city near you.” ward Kevin Durant (35) cus- people wanted to Google
Curry’s explosion in popu- tom shoes are shown during and YouTube him. It kind of
larity over the last two years the first half of the NBA all-star brings up everything in the
has helped Under Armour basketball game, Sunday, past that Jordan did, brings
gain traction in the hyper- Feb. 14, 2016 in Toronto. that back to life. It keeps
competitive shoe game. you relevant.”q
Like James and many of Associated Press
In this undated photo provided by Adidas, Toronto Raptors’ Kyle his contemporaries, Cur-
Lowry’s All-Star sneakers are displayed. All-Stars Lowry and ry’s goal is to follow in the
James Harden will be wearing new Adidas sneakers in Toronto, footsteps of what Michael
Associated Press Jordan did at Nike, turn-
Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.

Associated Press

Star to me,” said Wade, a King James logo on the ing himself into the iconic plate of success with Jor-
12-time All-Star selection. tongue. pitchman and building an dan’s career,” Curry said.
“I’m not going to have 12 empire that has helped him “We’re trying to do it our
more of these, so I’m going “I got a great designer at become the owner of the way, which is very genu-
to make sure that this mo- Nike, Jason Petrie. We have Charlotte Hornets. ine and organic to what

ment is something they re- consistent communication “They had a nice tem- we’re trying to do. It’s been
member was special if they about what I want, what a great partnership so far.