Denver Nuggets: Wardell's Take- It's Gotta be tha Shoes
Feb 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) shoes in the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Today, the cultures of both basketball and shoes run hand in hand. This is no different for the Nuggets of the past, present and the future.
Welcome to Wardell’s Take, a new round-talk style series which will cover a large array of topics relevant to the Denver Nuggets. This series will feature myself, as well as the other various contributors of Nugg Love.
In this inaugural post, with the help of Matthew Huff, we’ll take a look at the culture which is now inseparable from the game of basketball: shoes.
For those confused by the topic, just know that we won’t be discussing shoes alone. We’ll go over the relationship between the Nuggets and sneaker culture from the past, present and future.
Out of the numerous players in Nuggets history, who has had the best signature shoe?
Wardell (@ponaxWardell):
Many players throughout the history of the Nuggets have had their own signature shoe, each with varying levels of popularity. But only one shoe strays away from the pack and sets a new standard of uniqueness.
That shoe is the Adidas Mutombo.
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It featured an African-inspired weave print on the upper, as well as Mutombo’s logo of a warrior shield on the tongue. Overall, Adidas and Dikembe Mutombo both did a fantastic job at representing culture into a shoe.
To be completely honest, these are one of my personal favorites and are all around just a dope pair of kicks.
Matt (@Huff_Melo7):
Out of Nuggets history, I’d probably go with Carmelo with his Jordan brand. I may be a little biased since Melo is still my favorite player to watch but he inked his sneaker deal as a Nugget. Iverson and Billups had some really nice kicks too but they had their signature shoe more remembered as a Sixer and a Piston in my opinion, that is before they came to Denver.
Besides if you have ever rocked a pair of Jordan Melos or two like I have, you’d know they’re a really great shoe. (Jordan Melo M6’s are one of the best ball shoes ever created in my opinion.)
Who on the Nuggets currently has the best sneaker collection?
Matt:
The player on the Denver Nuggets that has the best “shoe-game,” I would say is Wilson Chandler. I mean, the dude had an entire storage facility of sneakers (I think he might have sold it now), but it’s going to be hard to top anything like that. So I’d definitely would go with Ill Will on that one.
Wardell:
Gary Harris has the best collection out of anyone on the Nuggets, hands down. Well, maybe it’s not that clear-cut but just check out the picture he posted last month:
Gotta clean out last seasons kicks from the locker…what to wear this year?? ???? pic.twitter.com/Pt33k241Hz
— Gary Harris (@thats_G_) August 30, 2016
I mean, just look at all those Kobe’s.
Now, Harris’ collection might not be as deep as Chandler’s, but I happen to personally gravitate toward the indoor soccer silhouette that the Nike Kobe’s have produced recently. For that reason alone, Harris gets my vote.
Who on the roster has the best chance of getting their own signature shoe?
Matt:
The person who has the best chance on the Denver Nuggets? That’s a tough one. I know there has been talks of Mudiay possibly getting his signature shoe with Under Armour, but I’d have to say as of right now, it’s probably Jokic.
Jokic is already taking the team by storm with his superb Olympic performance and many are saying he will become our star of the future. If he has a great season like many are slating him to, then will definitely be getting a signature sneaker in the future.
Wardell:
I totally agree with the reasoning for Jokic to get his own shoe, but I’m going to take the easy way out by choosing Emmanuel Mudiay. It’ll only take a quick look at Under Armour, to tell that they want to be at the same level as Nike.
The only way to do that is by creating signature products for their endorsed athletes (which they don’t have very much of comparatively). Who better than Mudiay to fill that need?
He’s young, athletic, relatable and has an incredibly high upside which may benefit both the Denver Nuggets and Under Armour. A Mudiay 1 only makes sense at this point.