HoopsHype.com Rumors

It’s been a long and arduous road but the adidas Rose 3 has finally been seen on an NBA court, just not on the NBA superstar that everybody was expecting. While Derrick Rose is still busy trying to come back from his injury, Grizzlies defensive specialist and Twitter maven Tony Allen took to court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a never before seen colorway of the adidas Rose 3. With a blue upper with white accents, it’s hard to really see if Allen’s shoe more closely resembles the Rose 3 that released earlier in the year in terms of materials or if it’s more like the Rose 3 “Brenda” which has a softer feel with a faint hint of an elephant print. Whether or not this will get a retail drop remains to be seen, but with enough patience, one can actually replicate the colorway Allen was wearing on the miadidas website. Kicks On Fire

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen, Sneakers, Derrick Rose 

Some exciting news from the sneaker world this morning: Basketball footwear and apparel company AND 1 has officially signed Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson to an endorsement contract. SLAM first reported the news via Twitter back on October 2, and Stephenson has exclusively donned AND 1 sneakers during the first month of the NBA season, but the partnership between the storied footwear company and the talented guard was formally announced today. SLAM

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Sneakers 

Do you think your decision will start to break the stranglehold that Nike and Brand Jordan have on the shoe game? Dwyane Wade: No, nothing dramatic right now. They have, Jordan and Nike obviously have an unbelievable [edge]. One thing about the U.S. is that we're brand loyal to something. If we know something, if we're comfortable with something, we're going to stay with it. Our job is just to try to, over the course of time, bring something new, and exciting, just different. Because there is a part of the world that likes to be different, and they like to be a part of something new and different. So, just make a little imprint. We're not looking to do anything crazy. We just want to make an imprint, and prove, obviously, that our brand is just as good as any other brand. And it goes with what you put out. So you've got to put out a good product. NBA.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Are guys coming up to you? Dwyane Wade: I've had a few. I have. And it's cool. The funny thing is when I first started wearing them, when people first heard, it was automatically people's reaction. As I said when I signed and when I was in China, I said my shoe is going to change. Over the course, it's going to look a little different. And I've changed a few things. At first they looked a little higher, a little heavier, a little bulkier, and then I sleeked it down a little bit. And then you see guys come and say stuff. And you see them looking. You'll see. It's a couple of things you look at. You look at people get a double take, see their reaction when they look, all of those things. It's been cool. NBA.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Did the Li Ning people do anything to blow you away? Dwyane Wade: Besides the opportunity, just put the opportunity I had aside. I think the biggest thing was I've met and talked with Mr. Li Ning on many occasions, so many different times, and him telling me the importance of me being a partner, and not just an endorser. And what it meant to him, and what it meant to the brand that he's built. And then just the people that they had around. All of that stuff goes a long way with an athlete like myself. NBA.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Steve Kyler: The DRose 3 - Brenda Edition - tribute to his Mom... twitpic.com/bdr4lx Twitter @stevekylerNBA

Chicago Bulls, Sneakers, Derrick Rose 

Noted New Balance aficionado Matt Bonner set NBA foot fetishists abuzz when he wore Adidas shoes at a recent shootaround. “I think everybody in the locker room noticed it,” teammate Stephen Jackson said. “The New Balance has been his thing for a long time. It’s kind of like Shaft cutting his ‘fro.” Formerly sponsored by New Balance, Bonner was running low on his favorite shoe until uncovering a few long-lost boxes in a locker at home. “It was kind of like finding the Dead Sea Scrolls,” Bonner said. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner, Stephen Jackson, Sneakers 

Fans of NBA player Chris Paul are in for a treat with the release of his 6th signature sneaker, the CP3 VI. Paul & Jordan Brand launched things off at Hollywood hot spot Lure this past Saturday, inviting family members, west coast tastemakers, teammates—including Lamar Odom, DeAndre Jordan, Willie Green, Caron Butler and Blake Griffin—and list of celebrities to help bring in the celebration. of those making appearances Khloe Kardashian, recording artist Jason Derulo, actors Jaleel White, Lance Gross and comedian Affion Crockett. VIBE

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Sneakers 

Those right there are Amir Johnson’s custom Nike Huarache 2K4s. How do I know, besides the fact that I am the one writing this and therefore can control how things will end? It’s simple — his face is on them. Really. The Score

Toronto Raptors, Amir Johnson, Sneakers 

Blake Griffin made his 2012-13 debut for the Clippers Wednesday night sporting a sharp pair of cobalt blue Jordans, and not without good reason. The Clippers' high-flying forward has become the latest NBA star to join Nike's Jordan Brand, an industry source told CBSSports.com. An announcement is expected soon on the new endorsement deal for the Clippers' two-time All-Star. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, Sneakers 

On Thursday, we learned that Chinese basketball fans are very excited to see Tracy McGrady, as 2,000 of them mobbed the seven-time All-Star upon entering the nation after bidding farewell to the U.S. and signing a one-year deal with the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association. On Friday, we learned that those fans are not alone, and that someone else is very excited to see Tracy McGrady — T-Mac himself, who took the court for his first practice with Qingdao wearing kicks prominently displaying his own mug on the side. Yahoo! Sports

Tracy McGrady, Sneakers, China 

Wizards rookie Bradley Beal has agreed in principle to a shoe deal with Nike, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Terms were not disclosed, but Bartelstein said Beal plans to sign “a multi-year” deal with the brand. “We’re excited about it,” Bartelstein said. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Sneakers, Bradley Beal 

Wall is anxious to get back and possibly help the Wizards end a four-year postseason drought, but he has been thrilled by the response he gets from fans in Washington. He was genuinely comfortable interacting with fans at Foot Looker, posing for pictures — he even allowed double takes for those who didn’t get clear images on their smartphones — and handing out autographed Wizards jerseys and black-and-white pairs of his shoes. The first two pair had their best sales in this market, according to Reebok. “It’s very important to me,” Wall said. “It’s crazy. My shoe is doing pretty good, but we really haven’t done nothing as a team. I haven’t done anything to make myself more marketable and push myself on the basketball court. But this is a big year for the Washington Wizards to try to push and make the playoffs, because we got the pieces, we got the talent. The shoe will start selling more when you do good on the court.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Sneakers 

One of the most expensive pairs of shoes in the country now belongs to the tallest man in America. Igor Vovkovinskiy, 30, of Rochester, Minn., stepped into a $25,000 pair of Reebok sneakers Thursday. He said they feel “like a cushion inside.” The cushion is actually memory foam in the sole of the shoe. A team of 10 Reebok designers used laser technology and molds to custom make three pairs of size 24 shoes. “Now that I’ve seen them, I’m overwhelmed,” Igor said. CBS Minnesota

Sneakers, Igor Vovkovinskiy 

Vovkovinskiy says the shoes are life-changers. "I'm going to be able to go to the store for groceries or the hardware store if I need to fix something at my mom's house," he said. Kittredge said a replacement pair will only take about six weeks to make, much of the time would be for getting the materials and colors requested. "I might have to get a polka dot pair," Vovkovinskiy said. "Any special days for my mom, I'd wear those, she loves polka dots." Kittredge laughed. "You call, we'll make them," he said. Maybe his favorite pair will be the Minnesota Timberwolves color pair. Vovkovinskiy said he might save those to wear to a T-Wolves game. Post-Bulletin

Sneakers, Igor Vovkovinskiy 

John Wall has a new Reebok shoe, and the ad campaign is launching this week. Reebok provided a bunch of images from the campaign and a short teaser of the video ad, which will be seen in full on November 15. The Wall Season 3 ZigEscape is available at Footlocker and on Reebok.com for $115. The company says the sneaker is “a lighter, sleeker version of the original ZigSlash,” with a sole “closer to the ground for increased stability and game-ready responsiveness,” and a mid-cut silhouette that allows “for quicker cuts and handling on the basketball court.” There is a launch event in P.G. County on Thursday afternoon. No word on whether Wall will be swinging on swings. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Business, Sneakers 

As part of Dwyane Wade's ongoing image makeover, he changed his Twitter handle last night from his name to "Way of WADE." So, D-Wade has now assumed the identity of a basketball shoe, I or something like that. WE KID BECAUSE WE LOVE. You know, the literal translation from Chinese of Dwyane Wade's new shoe is actually "The Ways of Dwyane Wade." I don't know why the shoe company and Wade decided to make "Way" singular. I guess it sounds more ideological or something. I'm sure a focus group could tell me. I like the name because it reminds me of a title of an old-school Chinese Kung Fu movie. Enter the Dragon. Way of WADE. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Jared Zwerling: D-Wade shooting first Li-Ning commercial on Wednesday in Miami. That was fast. Twitter @JaredZwerling

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

LeBron has a new sneaker out, the LeBron X. Now with your new deal, have you guys started a fun rivalry with your different shoe games? Dwyane Wade: First of all, Nike is a machine, man. I can't catch up to Nike in a day or even in two years. But I think the biggest thing, especially with this, people are starting to see a little bit of my personality in my sneakers. When people know me, they say, "OK, I understand why Dwyane's shoe is like this or it's like that." LeBron obviously is a Nike guy and he has his own brand to run in a sense. But he supports my decision to think that it's a great opportunity for me and I think it's going to be interesting as the season goes on. We all look at each other's shoes. We all look to see what each other's wearing, and we know right now the Heat has the hottest shoe in basketball in a sense. And my job is just to make him turn his eye a little bit a couple of times. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

When you played with Shaq and he was endorsing Li-Ning, how aware of Li-Ning were you at that point in 2006? Dwyane Wade: I wasn't aware at all. That was kind of the first eye opener into the Li-Ning brand. I wasn't aware at all, and I just knew that it was a China- based company. I knew that Shaq, a lot of times, he was known to do stuff outside of the box. I think I probably became more aware [of the brand] probably in 2008 more so than in 2006 when I played with Shaq. We were at the Beijing Olympics and Mr. Li Ning was the one that ended up flying over the “Bird's Nest” and ended up lighting the torch. They kind of blew up in 2008 and that moment really made the name known. From afar, I knew of them since then, and I would say at the same time, Peak as well was kind of coming up and doing different things in basketball. That was really a moment in the last four or five years where these other brands had made an impact on NBA players. It opened our eyes to more than we're used to growing up. Sole Collector

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Sneakers