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Nick’s Picks // The Best Sneakers of NBA All-Star Weekend

Last Updated: February 22, 2022
Boardroom’s Nick DePaula highlights the most epic footwear of the NBA’s annual event.

All-Star Weekend has long served as the league’s biggest stage for the NBA’s greatest players. Over the last two decades, the series of showcases slated throughout the weekend have also become one of the biggest platforms for the sneaker industry.

From new signature shoe debuts, brand signing announcements, and even special editions honoring the rotating host city, All-Star Weekend has become the year’s biggest moment on the court, with countless brand activations and events also taking place off the court all weekend.

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Range in Representation

Of the 27 players selected to the 71st All-Star Game, Nike Inc.’s trio of Nike Basketball, Jordan Brand and Converse will be worn by more than half of this year’s All-Stars. The Three Stripes will see three of its brand ambassadors — Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden — lacing up in Adidas sneakers.

First-time All-Star Andrew Wiggins is also expected to debut his first Peak signature shoe. Li-Ning’s duo of Jimmy Butler and Fred VanVleet gives the brand with less than 10 total endorsers some solid visibility in the showcase game.

Additionally, four brands will have one athlete on the hardwood. Zach LaVine remains the only All-Star who is currently a sneaker free agent.

LaMelo Ball and the Puma Effect
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Even before LaMelo Ball laced up a bright new pair of Pumas tonight, marking the brand’s first All-Star Game sighting since Isiah Thomas in 1990, the company that re-entered hoops just three years ago has arguably had the best showing this weekend.

Olympic high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi pulled off a tip dunk in the “Rick & Morty” MB.01, while Peloton trainer and Puma ambassador Alex Toussaint rocked two pairs of MB.01s on his way to winning Celebrity All-Star Game MVP.

LaMelo donned his instant-sell-out Rick & Mortys in the Rising Stars Game, before debuting a new vivid purple pair at All-Star practice.

Just blocks away from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Puma Hoops Lounge hosted the freshest brand space in Cleveland, with players, execs, entertainers, and influencers stopping by hourly.

Cole Anthony Laces Up His Timbs

While the Dunk Contest may have underdelivered on the hype, Cole Anthony breaking out Timberlands for a tandem dunk with his pops, former New York Knick and current TNT broadcaster Greg Anthony, had the makings of an instant classic sneaker moment.

Viva México

Juan Toscano-Anderson proudly became the first player of Mexican heritage to participate in the Dunk Contest, donning a Kobe 6 custom celebrating Mexico’s flag and customized jersey lettering to go along with the theme.

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Other highlights spotted throughout the weekend included Josh Giddy breaking out the decade-old “NERF” KD 4, Jalen Suggs honoring one of Lebron James’ first player exclusives with the SVSM-themed TMac 2, and Machine Gun Kelly lacing up the “Cool Grey” Jordan XI — his very first pair of Js.

Find all of the best sneakers broken out so far during NBA All-Star Weekend below:

Celebrity All-Star Game 

Gianmarco Tamberi // Puma MB.01 “Rick & Morty”
Machine Gun Kelly // Air Jordan Retro 11 “Cool Grey” 
(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Alex Toussaint // Puma MB.01
(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Brittney Elena // Nike Zoom Kobe 5 custom 
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Rising Stars Challenge

LaMelo Ball // Puma MB.01 “Rick & Morty” 
Josh Giddey // Nike KD 4 “NERF”
Jalen Green // Adidas Gil Boost Retro “UNDRCRWN”
Jalen Suggs // Adidas TMac 2 “SVSM” PE 
Cade Cunningham // Nike Zoom GT Cut
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

All-Star Practice

LaMelo Ball // Puma MB.01 
LeBron James // Nike LeBron 19 Low
Stephen Curry // Curry 9 Flow “Young Wolf” 
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Trae Young // Adidas Trae Young 1 
(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ja Morant // Nike Kyrie 7 “MOM”
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Devin Booker // Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

All-Star Saturday Night 

Jalen Green // Yeezy 1020 Boot
(Photo by Tyler Kaufman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jalen Green // Yeezy BSKTBL Knit
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jalen Green // Adidas Exhibit A
(Photo by Tyler Kaufman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Juan Toscano-Anderson // Nike Kobe 6 “Mexico” custom
Obi Toppin // Air Jordan 36 PE
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Patty Mills // Under Armour FUTR X Flow custom
Giannis Antetokounmpo // Nike Kobe 4 Protro Splatter PE
(Photo by Tyler Kaufman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Antetokounmpo Bros // Nike Zoom Freak “UNO” Pack
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Nick DePaula

Nick DePaula covers the footwear industry and endorsement deals surrounding the sporting landscape, with an emphasis on athlete and executive interviews. The Sacramento, California, native has been based in Portland, Oregon, for the last decade, a main hub of sneaker company headquarters. He’ll often argue that How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days is actually an underrated movie, largely because it’s the only time his Sacramento Kings have made the NBA Finals.

About The Author
Nick DePaula
Nick DePaula
Nick DePaula covers the footwear industry and endorsement deals surrounding the sporting landscape, with an emphasis on athlete and executive interviews. The Sacramento, California, native has been based in Portland, Oregon, for the last decade, a main hub of sneaker company headquarters. He’ll often argue that How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days is actually an underrated movie, largely because it’s the only time his Sacramento Kings have made the NBA Finals.