April 21, 2023
The NBA’s 77th season is well underway, with players showcasing their skills and styles on the court. As always, their choice of footwear remains a topic that’s almost as interesting as the games themselves. This season, a small shift in preferences has emerged as new up-and-coming shoe lines and brands make their mark on the hardwood. Here, we present the most popular shoes, player shoe lines, and shoe brands worn by NBA players in the 2022-23 season, based on the comprehensive Baller Shoes DB database.
The Rankings
Nike continues to dominate the shoe game, and despite the untimely passing of Kobe Bryant and the various legal battles between his estate and Nike, Kobe’s signature sneakers continue to dominate the NBA hardwood. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro (worn by stars like Jalen Brunson and Anthony Davis) takes the top spot, up from the second position last year, followed closely by the Nike PG 6 (worn by namesake Paul George and Desmond Bane), which rose from the third place. The Nike Kobe 5 Protro (Bam Adebayo), previously in the first place, now ranks third. Other popular choices include the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut (De’Aaron Fox), Nike Kyrie 7 (Collin Sexton), and Nike KD 15 (Kevin Durant). Notably, the Adidas Dame 8 (Damian Lillard and Christian Wood) and Air Jordan 37 (Bradley Beal) have both just squeaked into the top 10, reflecting the tough position that brands outside of the Swoosh continue to find themselves in.
Signature Shoes
While Kobe Bryant’s shoe line remains a fan favorite, we once again see some familiar faces in the top positions, including Kyrie Irving’s signature line, which maintains its second position with the Kyrie 7, Kyrie Low 5, and Kyrie Infinity all contributing to the count. Paul George’s Nike PG 6 and PG 5 also find themselves in the mix, making his line the third most popular among NBA players, up from the previous season.
The Top Brands
Nike remains the undisputed king of the basketball shoe market, with a staggering 254 players sporting the brand’s footwear, maintaining its dominance from the previous season. Adidas comes in second place, worn by 42 NBA athletes, while the Jordan brand takes third, with 29 players choosing its lineup. Puma, Under Armour, and New Balance are also making strides, offering alternatives to the dominant brands, with very well received performance shoes.
Emerging Trends and New Entrants
The 2022-23 NBA season has witnessed some interesting shifts in footwear preferences compared to the 2021-22 season. While Nike and Adidas continue to reign supreme, smaller and legacy brands are finding success by filling niches left vacant by the giants. For example, New Balance’s Two Wxy V3 has gained traction, and Puma’s Rise Nitro is making a name for itself. Chinese brands like Anta, Li-Ning, and Peak are also garnering attention as more players seek alternatives to the mainstream options.
Smaller players in the market like 361 Degrees (sported by Aaron Gordon), Qiaodan (headlined by Keldon Johnson) and Rigorer (worn by Austin Reaves) are dipping their toes into the sponsorship deal pond as well.
As a dedicated enthusiast and expert in basketball culture, including the prominent role of footwear within the NBA, I've closely followed the evolution of players' shoe preferences, market trends, and the competitive landscape within the basketball shoe industry.
The article from April 21, 2023, highlights key insights into the NBA's 77th season, particularly focusing on the evolving landscape of player preferences for footwear. Let's break down the concepts discussed in the article:
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Dominance of Nike: Despite the unfortunate passing of Kobe Bryant and the legal disputes between his estate and Nike, Kobe's signature sneakers, particularly the Nike Kobe 6 Protro, maintain a strong presence among NBA players. Additionally, other Nike models like the PG 6, Kobe 5 Protro, Air Zoom GT Cut, Kyrie 7, and KD 15 are popular choices among players.
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Signature Shoe Lines: Notable players like Kyrie Irving and Paul George have established successful signature shoe lines with Nike. Kyrie's line, comprising the Kyrie 7, Kyrie Low 5, and Kyrie Infinity, holds a prominent position. Paul George's Nike PG 6 and PG 5 also feature prominently among player choices.
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Top Brands: Nike continues to dominate the basketball shoe market, with a vast majority of NBA players (254) opting for Nike footwear. Adidas ranks second, followed by the Jordan brand, Puma, Under Armour, and New Balance, which are gaining traction with their performance-oriented shoes.
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Emerging Trends and New Entrants: Notable shifts in preferences include smaller and legacy brands gaining ground by catering to specific niches. Brands like New Balance (Two Wxy V3), Puma (Rise Nitro), and Chinese brands such as Anta, Li-Ning, and Peak are gaining attention as viable alternatives. Smaller market players like 361 Degrees, Qiaodan, and Rigorer are also entering the sponsorship scene, endorsed by players like Aaron Gordon, Keldon Johnson, and Austin Reaves, respectively.
The dynamic nature of the basketball shoe market within the NBA reflects not only the players' individual tastes but also the strategies employed by shoe brands to capture market share. It's evident that while Nike maintains its dominance, other brands are strategically carving out spaces to appeal to both players and consumers, leading to an increasingly diverse and competitive landscape within the basketball shoe industry.
