Basketball shoes have gained major importance with NBA's popularity
In the 1950's, kids (including myself) wore Converse canvas sneakers in black. Period. When I started to play basketball in my teens, the Converse outlet store in Malden, Massachusetts was the place to go. Low-cuts were fine, but a few ankle injuries later, high-tops were the better choice. I absolutely never envisioned just how the importance of what-used-to-be-called sneakers would take flight with the evolution of basketball and the NBA.
Ooh this is sooo perfect 😂
— chicinthegeɘk👟 (@chicinthegeek) April 17, 2019
(I love Friends, sorry not sorry) https://t.co/E65cKNJnrQ
So this is the "Friends" version of the Nike Kyrie 5, linked to the popular TV sitcom, Friends. Admitting no knowledge of this shoe's performance, I must say these are a work of art (per SneakerNews.com's Michael Le):
The Nike Kyrie 5, in its many upcoming schemes, has grown to encompass toolings outside of the usual performance-driven motifs, forgoing the more simplistic hits for inspirations of fond connection to the player from which it earns its namesake. Paying homage to the award-winning sitcom “Friends,” the forthcoming release pairs a monochromatic base with colorful accents connected to the show’s iconic handwritten logo.
I personally have witnessed basketball shoes transition from ugly-to-grotesque, but these are a breath of fresh air - which you may need after viewing the photo below.
No contest, right? The transition of the basketball shoe seems at its peak - at least for now. From the ugliness of the black Converse sneaker - to the glittery, gaudy shoes that came close to making me nauseous - and finally to the Nike Kyrie 5 "Friends". I may get a pair of my own, but they will cost more than the sneakers from the Converse outlet in Malden. No doubt, a LOT more.
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Photos via Nike and Converse