HoopsHype.com Rumors

Penny Hardaway On the enduring popularity of his Nike shoe, Air Penny, which was re-issued two years ago and is now Nike's most popular basketball shoe, outselling Air Jordan: "A good basketball shoe to me is something you can wear on and off the court. Guys like to wear jeans, T-shirts and sneakers, and you can't do that with a lot of basketball shoes. Some shoes are made just for the court. My shoes and Michael's (Jordan) shoes can be worn on and off the court. The Penny V is dropping next year." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Sneakers, Penny Hardaway 

Ricky Rubio has signed a deal with adidas. TuBasket.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Sneakers 

Rubio's contract worth will only be topped by Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard. TuBasket.com

Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Ricky Rubio, Dwight Howard, Sneakers, Derrick Rose 

The buzz about the return of the original Reebok Question Mid has been hitting the blogs like crazy the last few weeks and Reebok has finally made an official announcement. Set to release of May 25, the original signature sneaker of Allen Iverson will be dropping at Reebok.com, Jimmy Jazz, Villa, Shoe Palace, Shiekh’s, and others for $125. In case you are too young to remember or you are a fan one of the teams that Allen Iverson destroyed during his career in the NBA, the shoe helped the point guard to 5 straight games of 40+ point in his rookie season. Kicks On Fire

Allen Iverson, Sneakers 

Jason Petrie (Nike designer): You got one guy only getting stronger, and one guy breaking down before our very eyes. You chose poorly Pooh... #shouldasignedwithNIKE #GWS Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Sneakers, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Petrie followed up his statement that Rose "chose poorly" in not signing with Nike by claiming that "Y'all" — presumably the number of people who took issue with the way Petrie responded to Rose's injury — "take sh#t too serious! Never want to see anyone get hurt- I hope DRose comes back stronger than ever, he's too good." Not an apology, strictly speaking, but it at least contained a nice word or two for the injured Rose. Then, though, he bowed his back and brought back that sneer. Yahoo! Sports

Chicago Bulls, Sneakers, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Bernie Lee: Happy to announce that Client John Lucas III has signed an endorsement deal to join the Nike Basketball family! Twitter

Sneakers, John Lucas III 

Jose Manuel Calderon's agent, Alvaro Tor, denied reports that the Raptors guard is cutting ties with Chinese sportswear company Li Ning. "Jose Manuel is under contract till December 2012," Tor said. "We started talking a few months ago about an extension with both Li Ning China and Li Ning USA." HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, Sneakers 

At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, Reebok will exclusively drop its limited edition John Wall “Beyond the Gold” Zig Encore shoes at Packer Shoes in Teaneck, NJ. The mega-brand will conduct a limited, 12-pair release that will coincide with JWall’s first game of the season at Madison Square Garden, as one briefcase will contain tickets to the Knicks-Wizards game this Friday, April 13. SLAM

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers 

The Beardman era is over. Baron Davis and Li-Ning have split up. CounterKicks can confirm that Li-Ning initiated an early termination of Baron’s endorsement deal, which was originally signed in 2008 and not due to expire until later in 2013. counterkicks.com

New York Knicks, Sneakers, Baron Davis 

Our sources tell us Baron’s 5-year Li-Ning contract was paying him in the neighborhood of $1.5 million per year, which would total an approximate $7.5 million at full payout. counterkicks.com

New York Knicks, Sneakers, Baron Davis 

SoleCollector.com: Li-Ning is also expected to part ways with Raptors PG Jose Calderon at the end of the season. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Jose Calderon, Sneakers 

For fans who just can't get enough of John Wall's attitude ... comes twelve specially designed Reebok sneakers with the NBA star's golden touch. The shoe company will debut the Washington Wizards' limited edition 'Beyond the Gold' Zig Encore sneakers at one New Jersey store and only plan to offer a dozen pairs for sale. The $200 shoes will be packaged in a limited JW logo briefcase, with a FLUD x Reebok "Beyond The Gold" watch and John Wall-branded sunglasses. WTOP.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers 

GQ: At the peak of your career, you looked past Nike, Reebok, and the other gigantic companies and made shoes that sold at Payless so that low-income families could afford sneakers endorsed by an NBA player. It was one of the most selfless things we've seen from an NBA player. Shaq: That's why we sold 95 million pairs. A lot of people like to talk about Mike [Jordan] but put it this way: I'm right behind him and there ain't nobody close to us. One day, a lady came up to me cursing about the high price of athlete's sneakers and I was like "Lady, I don't make the purse up." I pulled out a wad of money and was like "Here, go buy him whatever you want." She slapped the money out of my hand. That caused me to think, "You know, no big-time person has ever done something downstairs." GQ: And that's where the idea came from? That incident with the lady? Shaq: Yes. Even though they were only $29, they didn't look like they cost $29. You know how kids are. You roll up in shoes that look they cost $29... GQ: You're going to laughed out of the gym. Shaq: Right! [laughs] GQ.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Sneakers 

Steve Kyler: The adizero Rose 2.5 ‘Playoff’ edition drops Wednesday... they are crazy hot... http://yfrog.com/h8vkkibj Twitter

Sneakers, Derrick Rose 

Perfect those times when you’re taking a break off the court and giving your Nike Basketball shoes a break, Eastbay recently released this all new Air LeBron Slide. Following the release of the “South Beach” edition that immediately sold out, Nike Basketball treats us to this more subtle version of the Air LeBron Slide featuring a simple combination of black and grey. Black suede handles the overlay, while grey takes care of the footbed, 180 heel Air bag and other areas throughout. Eastbay

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Sneakers 

Jessica Camerato: Big news, sneaker fans: @GregStiemsma signed with Nike. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Sneakers, Greg Stiemsma 

The journey of Greg Stiemsma continues as the Boston Celtics rookie signed with Nike just over a week ago. “I’m still waiting on getting some gear delivered,” he told CSNNE.com with an ear-to-ear smile. “I’m looking forward to it.” Signing with Nike is part of the undrafted 26 year old’s whirlwind first season in the NBA. Staying humble, he struggled at times to find the words to express the significance of it all. “It still doesn’t seem like that’s who I am or that’s the reality,” he said. “It’s all part of this experience. I’m trying to make it last as much as I can.” CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Sneakers, Greg Stiemsma 

AND 1 has announced the signing of NBA rookies and twin brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris to 3-year endorsement deals. After starring together at Kansas, the Morris twins were selected with back-to-back picks in the 2011 NBA Draft—Markieff by the Phoenix Suns at No. 13 and Marcus next to the Houston Rockets. SLAM

Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Sneakers, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris 

Jerry Zgoda: Who says nobody on Wolves can fill KLove's shoes? Beasley wore a pair of his in Sunday's game because they're wider and gave his toe room Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Michael Beasley, Sneakers, Kevin Love