Sneaker Stories

The 23 hottest sneaker sightings of 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend

LeBron, Hamidou Diallo, Dame Lillard, D-Wade — pro basketball’s best raised the bar high

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    Sneakers on the feet of LaMarcus Aldridge of Team LeBron during the 2019 NBA All-Star practice and media availability Saturday at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
    Aaron Dodson By @aardodson

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend, and the Queen City was transformed into a mecca of sneakers. Customs were commissioned and executed for athletes, celebrities and even a coach, utilizing every concept and color imaginable. And the bar for player-exclusive (PE) sneakers reached new heights of design and storytelling.

    Kawhi Leonard debuted his first New Balance shoe. Puma released its second on-court sneaker of the NBA season, continuing to prove that the brand’s return to basketball is in full effect. Adidas channeled Charlotte’s rich racing history on kicks for Damian Lillard, James Harden and Kyle Lowry. The young Hamidou Diallo leapt over Shaquille O’Neal all the way to the Slam Dunk Contest trophy in a fresh pair of Under Armours that repped his upbringing. And as for Chinese sneaker giant Li-Ning, the company sent Dwyane Wade out in style in the final All-Star Game of his career. The weekend also delivered the long-awaited drop of the Adapt BB — Nike’s first auto-lacing performance basketball sneaker.

    Meanwhile, the Swoosh made the sneaker world bow down to heat fit for a King — on LeBron James’ feet. And of course, in Hornets owner Michael Jordan’s city, the Jordan Brand showed out with an extensive All-Star collection featuring the retro release of the iconic “Infrared” Air Jordan 6, which MJ wore in 1991, the last time Charlotte hosted the All-Star Game. In honor of the GOAT, whose 56th birthday fell on the same day of the 68th edition of the NBA All-Star Game, these are the top 23 pairs of sneakers spotted by The Undefeated throughout the weekend.

    Adidas

    Damian Lillard’s dame 5 PE

    Damian Lillard’s shoes during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 17 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

    James Harden’s harden Vol. 3 PE

    The sneakers of James Harden of Team LeBron before the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

    Kyle Lowry’s marquee Low Boost Low PE

    Kyle Lowry’s All-Star sneakers. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

    Jordan

    Russell Westbrook’s “All-Star” Jordan Why Not Zer0.2

    The sneakers worn by Russell Westbrook of Team Giannis during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

    Blake Griffin in the “Infrared” Air Jordan 6

    Blake Griffin of Team Giannis sits at his locker during the 2019 NBA All-Star practice and media availability Saturday at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

    Kemba Walker’s steve Wiebe x Air Jordan 10 PE

    Kemba Walker’s shoes for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. Tom O’Connor/NBAE via Getty Images

    Dawn Staley’s Air Jordan 1 Custom by the original Shoe Chef

    Lamarcus Aldridge in the travis Scott Air Jordan 33

    LaMarcus Aldridge wears his shoes during Saturday’s 2019 NBA All-Star practice and media availability. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

    Shareef O’neal’s “ultra instinct” Air Jordan 10 Custom by Sierato

    “Wings” Air Jordan 4

    Li-Ning

    dwyane wade’s Way of Wade All City 7 Custom by Solesbysir

    New Balance

    Kawhi LeonArd’s oMN1s pe

    Kawhi Leonard’s New Balance sneakers. Tom O’Connor/NBAE via Getty Images

    Nike

    Kyle Kuzma’s adapt bb pe

    Luka Doncic’s Kobe 4 Protro PE

    The sneakers of Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks on display in the locker room Saturday night at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

    Quavo’s KD 11 & PG 3 Custom by Mache

    Kyrie Irving’s rOKIT Kyrie 5

    Kyrie Irving’s All-Star Game sneakers. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

    Lebron JAmes’ “Safari” LeBron 16

    Sneakers worn by LeBron James during the 2019 NBA All-Star practice and media availability at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

    Ronnie 2K’s Air More Uptempo by the Shoe Surgeon and Sean Wotherspoon

    “Watch the Throne” LeBron 16

    The sneakers on the feet of LeBron James during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday night. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

    Puma

    Uproar

    Under Armour

    Hamidou diallo’s m-tag custom by True Blue Customs

    Joel Embiid’s Anatomix Spawn custom by Dez customz and kreative custom kicks

    Aaron Dodson is a sports and culture writer, primarily covering footwear endorsement deals and sneaker culture.

    This Story Tagged: NBA Style Nike Puma Adidas … View All Jordan Brand Under Armour Sneaker Stories Li-Ning Sneakers New Balance