HoopsHype.com Rumors

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 

Have you already started to think about how many shoes you'll have out on the market each season all under the WADE line? It'll be multiple models each season, right? Like how Jordan has a full assortment of products available. Dwyane Wade: Yeah man, it will be multiple models. I think for this year, with just a short period of time, we're going to obviously be doing big hits in China to get this out there. Hopefully, as we get everything together, we can put a plan together for the US and we're going to wait for the US for awhile to make sure that when we come there, we do it right and we do it small. I don't want to have my shoes sitting on a shelf. I want to make sure that we do something small and get the product out there so that the Wade followers and supporters can have an opportunity in the US to represent brand WADE. Hopefully we'll continue to put out good product and that's all people will care about. A good product, instead of something they might think they want all their life, just because this is something different. We have different colors and different moments that we're going to share throughout the year that I think are going to be cool. Sole Collector

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Joseph Goodman: Shoe free agent Udonis Haslem still in Converse today. Just told me he has 5 pairs left. Should be signing a deal soon (Peak?). Twitter @MiamiHeraldHeat

Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem, Sneakers 

Marc Stein: How did Li-Ning swipe D-Wade from Jordan Brand? Says one industry insider: New Chinese shoe deal pays annual base of $10 mil for 10 years Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Marc Stein: As @darrenrovell reported this week, Li-Ning deal also comes w/ "significant" equity in company, according to D-Wade's agent Henry Thomas Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Well, I guess we now know that Terrel Harris is going to make the team. Harris and Dexter Pittman were introduced as endorsers of Peak on Saturday in Shanghai during a promotional press conference that included Shane Battier. Peak is a local sponsor of the Heat. Nothing is certain, but it seems unlikely for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to cut Harris at this point. Harris does not have a guaranteed contract for this season. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra, Sneakers, Dexter Pittman, Shane Battier, Terrel Harris 

At least one other Heat reserve will soon be following Harris and Pittman to Peak. James Jones has agreed to a contract with the shoe compay, according to a source, and is set to sign a contract next month. Jones is currently under contract with Nike. Udonis Haslem is currently in negotiations with Peak and could announce a deal soon. He's also in talks with Nike and Li-Ning, Dwyane Wade's new shoe sponsor. Battier, who has worn Peak shoes for most of his career, was the first player in the NBA to wear the shoes. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, James Jones, Udonis Haslem, Sneakers 

Jared Zwerling: Westbrook will be rockin' the Jordan Brand Super Flys in OKC colors. No plans for a signature shoe right now. And JB may not be done yet ... Twitter @JaredZwerling

Oklahoma City Thunder, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook 

What role did Dwyane Wade leaving the brand play into you having this opportunity and ultimately deciding to sign on? Russell Westbrook: Not much. I didn’t really know what was going on with his situation, if he was going to re-sign or not. But it didn’t really have much to do with my decision. Oklahoman

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dwyane Wade, Business, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook