There are too many great players and not enough signature shoe lines to go around. Players, such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, were destined for signature lines the second they touched the hardwood, while others, like Derrick Rose, Gary Payton and Tim Hardaway, were given signature lines as their careers progressed.<\/p>\n
Yet, there are a number of top-notch players who never took on a signature line for whatever reason. With recent talk of whether or not young, up-and-coming players like Kyrie Irving should be given a signature line, we take the time to look back at\u00a07 NBA Players Who Could’ve Supported a Signature Line<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \n Jason Williams had all NBA fans glued to the television because of his flash and pizzaz. During his Sacramento days, “White Chocolate” was arguably the most watched basketball player in the NBA not named Allen Iverson, and his style of play undoubtedly resonated with the streets.\u00a0In his rookie season, Williams’ #55 jersey was among the top five sellers of all NBA players and, yes, people paid attention to his footwear. It’s not far-fetched to say sneaker enthusiasts were drawn to the Nike Hyperflight because of Jason Williams. A Nike Zoom White Chocolate would have definitely garnered interest.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Sure, there were better and more successful players during the ’90s, but none more clutch and daring than Reggie Miller. The 5-time All-Star was a consistent thorn in Michael Jordan and the New York Knicks’ side and had a cult following because of his nasty competitiveness.\u00a0Miller’s signature line could have represented and done well in small markets a la Kevin Durant’s line in Oklahoma City. In a way, he and the Indiana Pacers sort of represented the small market – a David and Goliath type of story – by going up against bigger markets, including the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, each postseason. Everybody loves a competitor, and Reggie Miller, to some, was the ultimate competitor.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Dirk Nowitzki is one of the only “franchise” players in the history of the NBA not to don a signature sneaker. Could he have supported a signature line? Yes. However, it probably would not have been highly successful in the United States. Still, his signature line could’ve possibly been a big hit across the globe seeing that his unparalleled game undeniably gave birth to a number of players just like him across the world. Playing on the perimeter as a 7-footer, rocking a shaggy hairdo and one-foot fadeaways have all been duplicated, so a signature shoe would’ve been one step closer to overseas players attempting to be just like the Dunking Deutschman.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars could have marketed and promoted signature lines, plus other things, as the leaders of Detroit’s “Bad Boys.” Sure, they both represented one of the most hated teams in the NBA, but fans respected their competitiveness. Their lines could have been a big hit amongst the “small” guys considering Thomas and Dumars were one of, if not the first “small ball” backcourts in the NBA. Specifically, Dumars was, in a way, the “Glove” before Gary Payton entered the NBA and Isiah Thomas’ will to not lose was Allen Iverson-like. Brands could’ve gotten creative with a sneaker campaign centered around these little “Bad Boys.”<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Why<\/strong>: As an 8-time NBA All-Star and 2-time MVP, Steve Nash could’ve backed a signature series of sneakers without a doubt. He’s actually the only MVP winner in the last 10 years to not own a signature line. There are so many reasons why he could’ve sustained a signature line in his prime. He’s undeniably one of the most well-liked players in the league by both players and fans, plus he’s truly a fan of sneakers. A low-top, soccer-inspired basketball signature line would have been ideal for Nash seeing that soccer was his first love. Picture Kobes 4-8 in a Nash signature line.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Although we’re thankful Ray Allen isn’t a signature athlete (his player exclusives are beyond incredible), we do think he could have manned up a signature line simply because the 10-time All-Star has always kept one of the cleanest images of anyone in the NBA. Not to mention, he’s one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game and has one of the coolest movie names, Jesus Shuttlesworth, of all time. One factor that would have been a plus to consumers is the colorways his general released signatures would have released in. Having played for the Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, consumers would have had the chance to select a shoe not colored in black and red every time.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \n Before Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Ewing, Bernard King was New York’s hero for the five years he played in the Big Apple. The 4-time NBA All-Star, who led the league in scoring during the 1984-85 NBA season was a lethal scorer and a no-nonsense player who embodied that tough, New York attitude on the court. Unfortunately, his career took place before signature lines were popular, but there’s no question that “The Texas Massacre” could have supported a signature line especially in the fashion capital of the world.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are too many great players and not enough signature shoe lines to go around. Players, such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were destined for signature lines the second they touched the hardwood, while others, like Derrick Rose, Gary Payton and Tim Hardaway, were given signature lines as their careers progressed.<\/p>\n Yet, there are a number of top-notch players who never took on a signature line for whatever reason. With recent talk of whether or not young, up-and-coming players like Kyrie Irving should be given a signature line, we take the time to look back at 7 NBA Players Who Could’ve Supported a Signature Line. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":319128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618],"tags":[1225537],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJason Williams<\/h3>\n
Reggie Miller<\/h3>\n
Dirk Nowitzki<\/h3>\n
Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars<\/h3>\n
Steve Nash<\/h3>\n
Ray Allen<\/h3>\n
Bernard King<\/h3>\n