{"id":107489,"date":"2010-11-02T21:13:32","date_gmt":"2010-11-03T02:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nicekicks.com\/?p=107489"},"modified":"2022-09-15T22:43:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T03:43:01","slug":"nba-journeymen-history-brand-switching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/nba-journeymen-history-brand-switching\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Journeymen: A History of Brand Switching"},"content":{"rendered":"
Previously published in 2010, updated in 2014 for historical accuracy<\/em><\/p>\n The recent rise of Chinese based brands and local upstarts has provided major headlines and caused many of the NBA’s most famous faces to switch brands. KG’s summer move to Anta surprised many as he became one of the biggest and latest names to swap logos after being one of the most recognizable faces on adidas for many years. While global competition has affected brand loyalty as of late, flip-flopping between sneaker contracts is nothing new. Over the past four decades, numerous pro hoopers have endorsed kicks with multiple brands. Pull out your Trapper Keeper and take notes as we offer a history lesson on the NBA’s most storied sneaker journeymen.<\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Kevin Garnett<\/p>\n B<\/strong>rands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Nike (95-01), AND1 (02-03), adidas (04-10), Anta (Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>Nike Air Flight Max, Nike Air Garnett 3, AND1 KG Kevin Garnett may be the only athlete to have a signature shoe with four different brands. His first three deals saw multi signature lines and we expect the same from Anta. With Nike, KG rocked a plethora of Uptempos and also debuted the Flightposite line. As a member of AND1 he had two signatures as well. After a brief stint he’d jump ship for adidas where he’d have three sigs along with being an integral part of the “Believe in Five” campaign and TS line. Anta has already given him signature models for on and off the court.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Shaquille O’Neal<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Reebok (92-98), Dunkman (98-99), Dunk.net (00-01), Dunkman Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>Reebok Shaq Attaq, Reebok Shaqnosis, Reebok Shaq\u00a0Steel<\/p>\n Over his lengthy career Shaq has repped many teams, many aliases, and many brands. It started with Reebok where the Diesel would take the vector from Pump to Hexalite. While the marriage between Shaq and Reebok would spawn some great shoes it did not result in high sales. Shaq dipped out in 98 in pursuit of his TWIsM (The World Is Mine) clothing line. At the turn of the millenium he would team up with Mike Piazza to launch Dunk.net, an interactive website and brand that sold customizable sneakers online. Ahead of it’s time but behind on performance, Dunk.net would fold and Wilt Chamberleezy would go on to push Starter kicks under the Dunkman monicker. Once arch nemesis Nike bought Starter Shaq would become the first active All-Star to sign with Li-Ning. Following his retirement, Shaq returned to Reebok to support his retro releases.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player: <\/strong>Chris Webber<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure: <\/strong>Nike (93-96), Fila (97-98), Dada (01-03), AND1 (04-05), Reebok (05-07)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>Nike Air Unlimited, Nike Air Strong, Nike Air Max Nike was a sensible choice for the number 1 draft pick after great years with the brand at Michigan. All was well in the beginning until they gave him a signature shoe. The Nike Air Max CW was a great shoe, but the problem was it sold for more than the current Jordan model. C-Webb didn’t like this and ultimately bolted. He wore a host of brands for years until settling down at Fila. Fila granted him a signature but ultimately dropped him due to off the court issues. Webber sued the brand for this and won. He would later sign with Dada where he would wear the infamous CDubbz, best known for the chrome colorway he wore in the 2002 All-Star Game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Kobe Bryant<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure: <\/strong>adidas (96-02), Nike (04-Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> adidas EQT Elevation, adidas KB8, Nike Huarace 2k4, Nike Hyperdunk, Nike Zoom Kobe IV<\/p>\n Before even playing in an NBA game, Kobe signed a 6-year, $48 million deal with adidas. The brand would put Kobe in exclusive models as early as his rookie year and start using his initials and name soon after. After six years with the Three Stripes Kobe would elect to move on and become a sneaker free agent. Many brands pursued him, seeing Kobe in everything from Converse Weapons to Reebok Questions to Air Jordan PEs. He would sign with Nike in 2004 where he would get his own line and endorse many successful models.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Dwyane Wade<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Converse (03-09), Jordan (09-12), Li-Ning (12-Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> Converse Wade, Converse Wade 1.3, Air Jordan 2010, Jordan Alpha 1, Jordan Fly Wade 1 & 2<\/p>\n D-Wade was among a host of rookies including Kirk Hinrich and Chris Bosh that were selected to re-brand Converse basketball in 2003. Flash proved a great pick being incredibly marketable and having a hot start to his career. After a few signatures Converse even went as far as to brand his alma matter Marquette in his shoes. Wade became unsatisfied with the efforts of Converse and decided to take his brand global. He signed with Jordan Brand in 2009 and became the first athlete other than MJ to carry the signature Air Jordan line. After a few strong shoes and seasons with JB, D Wade shocked the world and signed with Li-Ning. Player:<\/strong> Dennis Rodman<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Reebok (87- 94), Nike (94-97), Converse (97-00)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>Nike Air Darwin, Nike Shake Ndestruckt, Nike Air Worm, Converse All Star 91, Converse One Star Rodman<\/p>\n Dennis would come into the league wearing the vector and getting down in Pumps. Later he woud switch to Nike where on court he would wear some of the greatest shoes of the mid 90s and off court he would wear a different kind of pumps. Shortly after the camera man incident he would ink a deal with Converse (although they had reportedly been in discussion prior). With Converse he would get a few recognizable?signatures drawing from his tattoos and rebounding titles. After retirement he would be best known for wearing Von Dutch. Player:<\/strong> Stephon Marbury<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> AND1 (96-98), Nike (99-00), AND1 (00-05), Nike (05-06), Starbury (06-Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>AND1?Starbury, Nike Air Penny 4, Nike Air Flight Showbiz, AND1 Tai Chi, Nike Huarache 2k5, Starbury One<\/p>\n In 1996 Stephon Marbury became the first spokesman for AND1. He would get his own signature and be the NBA’s face of the brand as a young T’Wolf. Midway through his time in New Jersey Marbury would switch to Nike wearing the Flight Showbiz and Air Penny 4 among others. In time he returned back to AND1 and eventually switched back to Nike once more as a Knick. He would become most famous in the sneaker world for launching the Starbury, a $15 performance basketball shoe sold at Steve and Barrys. The line would expand to clothing and casual kicks and eventually a head tattoo. Player:<\/strong> Jason Kidd<\/p>\n Brands<\/strong>: Nike (94-03), Jordan(03-05), Nike (05-08), PEAK (08-Present)<\/p>\n Best Shoes with each brand: <\/strong>Nike Zoom Flight 5, Nike Zoom Flight Kidd, Air Jordan 13 PE<\/p>\n Having already appeared in Nike ads as an NCAA All-American at Cal, J-Kidd joined the Swoosh’s payroll upon entering the L in 1994. He was chosen as the leader of the “Revolution” for Nike’s new basketball campaign and the poster boy for Zoom Flight. Over his years with Nike he’d have multiple signatures and a host of PEs. While in New Jersey Kidd spent some time rocking team and PE Jordans although it’s uncertain whether he was a member of JB. He went back to the wearing Nike and even breaking out some of his own retros. Unexpectedly he jumped ship and signed with Chinese brand PEAK who continues to outfit him as a Maverick. Player:<\/strong> Hakeem Olajuwon<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Etonic (84-89), LA Gear (90-95), Spalding (95-99), Nike (2000-02)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> Etonic Akeem, LA Gear Unstoppable, Spalding Hakeem the Dream<\/p>\n The Dream was one of the first players to jump around brands. He released famous signatures with Etonic and LA Gear but really made history when he switched to Spalding creating a new market. After the average price of signature sneaks eclipsed the $100 mark Olajuwon was inspired to endorse a $35 shoe that working class families could afford. Nike outfitted him during the twilight of his career but sneaker lovers will always remember him for his lovable low price kicks. Player:<\/strong> Patrick Ewing<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> adidas (85-88), Ewing (89-96), Nike (96-02)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> adidas Conductor, adidas Attitude, Ewing Rogue II, Nike Air Max Holistic<\/p>\n Patrick Ewing helped put Nike on the basketball map in college sporting the Terminator. As a pro he would sign with adidas wearing the Conductor and Attitude in the Big Apple. In the late ’80s he became a renegade rocking his own branded shoe. After the Ewing brand ended Pat went back to his college roots playing in Nike for the remainder of his career. Player:<\/strong> Ron Artest<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure: <\/strong>Converse (99-01), Nike (01-02), LA Gear (04-05), k1x (05-07), PEAK (09-10), Ball’N (Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand: <\/strong>LA Gear Tru Warier, k1x Chiefglider, Ball’N All Out<\/p>\n The 2004 All Star Game may best sum up Ron Artest’s sneaker legacy. A free-agent on the sneaker market, Ron Ron wore a different model and brand shoe on each foot switching between quarters. As a rookie the St. Johns standout and Queensbridge native would rock Converse but switch shortly after to Nike. After a very brief stint rocking the Swoosh exclusively he would wear anything and everything regardless if it fit in with his team colors. From customizing his “Playoff” Air Jordan 12 with a marker to rocking “True Blues” with a Bulls uni, Artest showed he had no boundaries and would rock whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Since his unsigned days he’s had sigs from multiple smaller brands currently rockin’ with upstart Ball’N. <\/strong><\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Latrell Sprewell<\/p>\n Brands<\/strong>: Nike (92-94), Converse (95-97), Nike (99), AND1 (99-02), Dada (02-04), adidas (04-05)<\/p>\n Best Shoes with each brand<\/strong>: Air Jordan 9 PE, Converse Acropolis, Converse Voltage, AND1 Spree Mid, Dada Spinners<\/p>\n Forgot about Spree? Latrell’s NBA career may have seen a number of highs and lows, but when active he was one of the better swingmen in the league. As a youngin’ Spree repped Nike with fellow Golden State Warrior and sneaker journeyman Chris Webber. After a couple years and an Air Jordan 9 PE he would venture on to Converse and begin his rise as an All-Star (no pun). An ‘incident’ with his coach would have him out of the league and with out a brand. Once reinstated he would become a star and fan favorite for the New York Knicks. His great play, controversial image and big stage made him a great endorsee for AND1. Eventually he would reunite with old pay CW as a Dada spokesman pushin’ the infamous Spinners. Player:<\/strong> Vince Carter<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Puma (99), adidas (00), AND1 (00) , Nike (00-Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> Puma Vinsanity, AND1 Tai Chi, Nike Shox BB4, Nike Shox VC<\/p>\n Before Y2K Puma had a decent stake in the basketball market. They were providing uniforms and apparel for some of the leagues more popular teams (playoff caliber Knicks, AI’s Sixers) and also had the leagues hottest rookie. VC signed a ten year multi million dollar contract with the brand to start his career, but the tenure was short lived. Carter claimed that his shoes didn’t fit right and that the Vinsanity was not a true signature. A lawsuit was filed and Vince would be seen wearing adidas the next season and AND1 most famously in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. The 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics would see him switching camps to Nike and famously debuting the Shox BB4. Since then Carter has been the posterboy for the Shox line. <\/strong><\/p>\n Player:<\/strong> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Pro Keds (69), adidas (70-88), LA Gear (88-89), Skechers (Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> adidas Jabbar Hi & Lo, LA Gear Kareem Abdul-Jabbar High<\/p>\n Over the course of his career Kareem Abdul Jabbar changed teams, changed names, and changed brands. Like most players at the time he wore Pro Keds in the birth of his career but eventually signed with adidas. The Three Stripes would give Jabbar a sig of his namesake in 1971 baring his face on the tongue and box. In Kareem’s last season he’d switch to LA Gear after 18 years with adidas. The move made sense as he was a member of the Lakers but would be short lived. Kareem rocked adidas for much of his retirement but recently inked a deal with Skechers to endorse their Shape-Up line. Player:<\/strong> Tim Duncan<\/p>\n Brands\/Tenure:<\/strong> Nike (97-03), adidas (03-Present)<\/p>\n Best shoes with each brand:<\/strong> Nike Total Air Foamposite Max, Nike Duncan, adidas D-Cool<\/p>\n Timmy’s lukewarm demeanor and fundamental style of play may not make him the most marketable player ever, but certainly one of the best. In the beginning of TD’s career he was one of Nike’s premier big men rocking hand me downs from teammate and mentor David Robinson. Soon Duncan would become the man on the Spurs and one of the top players at Nike getting his own sig and rocking high end performance kicks. Duncan eventually parted ways with Nike and became a main endorsee for adidas. Like KG he got a few sigs but was mainly used for the TS and “Believe in Five” campaigns.<\/p>\n RELATED: Kevin Garnett to Leave adidas for Anta and Ron Artest Leaves PEAK for Ball’N<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Previously published in 2010, updated in 2014 for historical accuracy The recent rise of Chinese based brands and local upstarts…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2415,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618],"tags":[],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKevin Garnett<\/h3>\n
\n2, adidas TS Supernatural Commander<\/p>\nShaquille O’Neal<\/h3>\n
\n(01-06), Li-Ning (06-11), Reebok (13-Present)<\/p>\nChris Webber<\/h3>\n
\nCW, Fila Webber, Dada Cdubbz<\/p>\nKobe Bryant<\/h3>\n
Dwyane Wade<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nDennis Rodman<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nStephon Marbury<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nJason Kidd<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nHakeem Olajuwon<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nPatrick Ewing<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nRon Artest<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nLatrell Sprewell<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nVince Carter<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nKareem Abdul Jabbar<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p>\nTim Duncan<\/h3>\n