'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One thing that separates the run-of-the-mill, well-compensated NBA player and the elite group is their shoes. Sporting and apparel companies have made their mark all over the league endorsing virtually every player to shoe deals.
With the companies competing for the elite players’ signatures to increase their brand recognition, we look at the crème de la crème, by position, from Adidas to the Jordan brand, which is a subsidiary of Nike, to Nike itself.
Point Guard: Damian Lillard vs Kyrie Irving vs Russell Westbrook
Adidas: Damián Lillard
Damian Lillard is the franchise player of the Portland Trail Blazers. He is a former unanimous Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star and has been selected thrice to All NBA teams. With five years experience in the league, he already holds several franchise scoring and assists records.
He can handle, he can pass, he can shoot, and he can drive. Defensively, he still looks a little bit lost at times, but he's got the athletic attributes to get better.
Nike: Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving faces tough competition from the other Nike point guards but he ultimately gets the nod. He is an offensive superstar that can score and create in every way there is. His ball-handling skills are off the charts. He is a former NBA Rookie of the Year, a four-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. Irving was selected to the All-NBA Third Team in 2015. He won an NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
That said, Irving does tend to get carried away while dribbling and his defense is inconsistent.
Jordan: Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mr. triple-double is arguably the best point guard in the league. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player-winning consecutive awards in 2015 and 2016. He is also a six-time All-NBA Team member and led the league in scoring in 2014–15 and 2016–17.
The reigning league MVP can do everything Damián Lillard does, but better. He is a freak of an athlete with a never say never attitude and an elite level all round game. His weakness is his shot selection which can be suspect at times.
Westbrook > Irving > Lillard
Shooting Guard: James Harden vs DeMar DeRozan vs Jimmy Butler
Adidas: James Harden
The Houston Rockets' Mr do-it-all is one of the NBA's most prolific scorers and has earned recognition as the best shooting guard in the NBA. He has earned All-Star nods five times and has earned All-NBA Team honors four times. While playing for the Thunder, he was the Sixth Man of the Year in 2012.
His only weakness is his reluctance to play defense at times.
Nike: Demar DeRozan
The perimeter superstar has among the best footwork in the league. He is a killer with his mid-range jumper and lay up game. He is a very athletic shooting guard that rarely settles for the three-point shot. DeRozan is a three-time All-Star and has been selected once to the All-NBA teams in 2017.
His limited range can be costly when he is required to take the clutch three-point shot.
Jordan: Jimmy Butler
One of the toughest players in the league today, Jimmy was selected with the 30th pick of the 2011 draft. He went on to win the league's Most Improved Player award in 2015. Butler is a three-time NBA All-Star and a three-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree. He made the cut to his first All-NBA Team honors in 2017.
Questions loom over Butler's desire to do what's best for his team. His decision making can be suspect at times and he should cut down on those jump passes.
Harden > Butler > Derozan
Small forward: Andrew Wiggins vs LeBron James vs Kawhi Leonard
Adidas: Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins is a former 1st pick and an up-and-coming offensive star who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He went on to earn NBA Rookie of the Year honors for the 2014–15 season. He is a freak athlete who can jump his way out of the arena. He is a great scorer with a career average of above 20.4 points per season since his rookie year.
All he does is score, hence rarely makes his teammates better. He needs to improve other aspects of his game if he is to evolve into a superstar.
Nike: LeBron James
LeBron James remains the best player in the world by far and the face of the NBA. He remains as consistent as ever at 32 years. He is a physical specimen with an all-around game that makes him unstoppable. He has been selected to 13 NBA All-Star teams, 13 All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams. Not to mention his most acknowledgeable achievements of four MVP's, three NBA titles and three Finals MVP's awards.
His weakness is his free-throw shooting with a career average of 74%.
Jordan: Kahwi Leonard
"The Klaw" is the best two-way player in the league and the face of the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard won an NBA Championship with the Spurs in 2014 and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. He is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year- won it consecutively in 2015 and 2016, and is a two-time All-NBA First Team member.
Kahwi has no major weaknesses to his game. He does it all.
James > Leonard > Wiggins
Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis vs Anthony Davis vs Carmelo Anthony
Adidas: Kristaps Porzingis
The young Latvian superstar continues to prove his doubters wrong with amazing performances on a very weak New York Knicks team. He holds the keys to the future of the franchise. He is a rare talent with two-way superstar potential.
He needs to improve his strength and conditioning with is vital in the low post.
Nike: Anthony Davis
Davis is the best power forward in the league. He has evolved from a defensive superstar to an all-around superstar with an unlimited ceiling. He is only 24 years yet he's a four-time NBA All-Star and has been named to two All-NBA First Teams.
If he can stay healthy, he can be an unstoppable force.
Jordan: Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo is one of the best pure scorers the NBA has ever seen. He scores with ease regardless of the defense. He holds several scoring and rebounding records for the Nuggets and the Knicks. He currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Carmelo, however, just won’t play defense and does not show signs of improving that aspect of his game at 33 years. He does not pass the ball well and insists on iso-ball.
Davis > Anthony > Porzingis
Centers: Joel Embiid vs DeMarcus Cousins vs Blake Griffin
Adidas: Joel Embiid
Some may argue that Brook Lopez should have this spot. I pick Embiid based on how important he is to his team. Without Embiid, the Sixers are a mediocre team. Embiid has modeled his game around NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon and has shown flashes of Hakeem in his performances. He is an all-around big man with a mouth for trash talk and fingers for social media.
If he can stay healthy, he will redefine the role of an NBA center.
Nike: DeMarcus Cousins
Boogie is the best center in the league. He has excellent moves and knows how to use his body to displace his competition. He is an all-around superstar with an eye for the open three. Bully ball remains his trademark even though other aspects of his game have improved tremendously. He is a three-time all-star and has also been selected to the All-NBA teams.
He needs to check his discipline to avoid his record technical fouls that have forced him to miss games through suspension.
Jordan: Blake Griffin
Before you remind me that he is a power forward, the Jordan brand has not signed a prominent center yet. He is the closest thing there is.
Blake has improved his game and taken leadership roles for the Los Angeles Clippers since the departure of Chris Paul. The Clippers in the 2009 NBA draft selected Griffin with the first overall pick.
He is a former rookie of the year and Sprite Slam Dunk competition champion. He has since been a five-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection. He was listed as one of the greatest rookies of all time.
With the improvement he’s had, it’s hard to pinpoint major weaknesses in his game.
Cousins > Griffin > Embiid
Verdict:
Nike has a plethora of superstars and they'd ultimately win this contest, followed by Jordan in 2nd. Adidas will be last-they have only one accomplished superstar in James Harden.
Guess the Lakers players!
