Kicks

Adidas rolled out the two newest additions to James Harden's signature sneaker line, Daisy and Aura. 

To promote the kicks, the Brooklyn Nets star discussed how he worked on his game while growing up in Los Angeles. He also wanted to use the Harden Vol. 5 Daisy and Aura to honor his mother, Monja Willis.

Various design elements carry special meaning.

"For example, James wanted to recognize his mom in these colorways—as indicated by the butterfly—to show his appreciation for her and the confidence she instilled in him," Adidas said. "The dove represents James' 'brothers through everything.' The flower is a tribute to a friend James lost, giving them flowers for the impact they had on him."

Harden has once again emerged as an MVP candidate following his trade to the Nets. He's averaging 25.3 points, 11.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds through 22 games with Brooklyn. In addition, he's shooting 49 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from beyond the arc.

With the Harden Vol. 5s, you can step right into the shoes of the nine-time All-Star. The Daisy colorway will be available starting Friday, while the Aura will be released April 2.

A pair of LeBron James' game-worn sneakers in high school sold for $156,000 through Heritage Auctions, according to Sports Illustrated's Ben Pickman.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had gifted the shoes to James in 2002. The Adidas kicks had a patriotic red, white and blue American flag theme as a tribute to those who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

James passed Bryant for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list on Jan. 25, 2020. After making history, the four-time MVP recounted seeing Bryant at a basketball camp in high school. He also met Kobe at a Philadelphia hotel during All-Star Weekend in 2002 and were given the shoes.

LeBron wore the sneakers for a game against Oak Hill Academy, which had Carmelo Anthony at the time. Oak Hill got the better of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School on the night, while James outscored Melo 36-34 in a losing effort.

Nike announced Monday the resignation of Ann Hebert, the company's vice president and general manager of the North American region. 

CNBC's Lauren Thomas spoke to a representative at Nike who said Hebert chose to resign and wasn't formally dismissed.

The move comes after Hebert's son, Joe, was profiled in a story by Bloomberg Businessweek's Joshua Hunt about the growing sneaker resale market. Hunt stumbled upon their relation when he received a call from a number belonging to Ann.

"I looked the name up and discovered there was an Ann Hebert who'd worked at Nike for 25 years and had recently been made its vice president and general manager for North America," he wrote. "The press release announcing her promotion noted that she would be 'instrumental in accelerating our Consumer Direct Offense'—the Nike initiative that had helped fuel the sneaker-resale boom."

Joe attempted to downplay how he might have benefited from his connection to Nike, saying his mother "was so high up at Nike as to be removed from what he does, and that he'd never received inside information such as discount codes from her."

Nike spokesperson Sandra Carreon-John also told Hunt that Ann disclosed information about West Coast Streetwear, her son's company, in 2018.

According to Hunt, Joe does have an American Express corporate card in his mother's name for West Coast Streetwear. Some purchases totaled six figures as he and his team bought high-end sneakers in bulk to turn around for a profit.

Los Angeles Lakers star Alex Caruso is the latest player to join forces with the sneaker brand Anta after signing a multiyear deal with the brand last month. 

He debuted the brand's KT Light 4s against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 18, and the brand officially welcomed him to the family on Monday, per ESPN's Nick DePaula. 

DePaula reported that Caruso will be among players to lead promotion of the brand's Z-Up line. 

Caruso currently has four shoes available on Anta's website, ranging from $108 to $239. 

Golden State Warriors rookie James Wiseman is also a newcomer to the brand and will also promote the Project Z-Up line, according to DePaula. Wiseman joins his teammate Klay Thompson as an ambassador for the brand.

Thompson signed with the Chinese company in 2015, and it designed his signature shoe, the KT Fire, according to its website.

In addition to Caruso and the pair of Golden State stars, the brand has also collaborated with former NBA greats as well as other newcomers. Other players with shoes available on the website include Rajon Rondo, Gordon Hayward, Kevin Garnett and Precious Achiuwa. 

Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker is making nearly $8 million in base salary this season, and it's a good thing given the amount of money he spends on footwear. 

He told Mike DeStefano of Complex that he spends "a crazy number" on sneakers every year. 

DeStefano reminded him that he told the magazine in the past that he was spending $200,000 annually on sneakers, but he laughed at the comment and said he "just threw a number out there." 

Whatever he's spending, Tucker's collection has caught the attention of at least one of his teammates. Back in January, DeMarcus Cousins posted an Instagram video of Tucker's shoes, letting his teammate know that "this s--t getting out of hand." 

After several previews, Nike's innovative GO FlyEase shoe will release Feb. 15 to select Nike members before a wide release.

The shoe was designed to not require hands to take on or off and was inspired by Matthew Walzer, a teen with cerebral palsy. Walzer wrote Nike in 2012 after becoming worried about needing others to tie his shoes after leaving his home for college, leading to designer Tobie Hatfield to send him a special pair of kicks before Nike underwent a three-year testing period.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon later pitched his own similar idea to Nike in 2019, which helped culminate the structure behind the shoes. 

Nike GO FlyEase Information

• Release Date: February 15
• Price: $120
• Where to Buy: SNKRS

"Sophisticated, accessible solutions, like those in Nike GO FlyEase, are emblematic of the "better is temporary" mentality that drives Nike FlyEase technology," Nike's press release read. "Since its debut, the technologies have been employed in numerous footwear styles across basketball, running and sportswear. Each successive design balances the rigor of FlyEase criteria with unwavering performance standards."

The hands-free nature of the shoe will make it easy to slip on and could be particularly helpful to those with disabilities that prevent them from tying their shoes.

The sleek design gives Nike perhaps the most stylish shoe in the no-tie game, along with a multipurpose use. 

The Nike Dunk has been one of the hottest shoes of the past year, and sneakerheads looking to get their Dunk fix will have three new colorways to choose from later this month.

Nike is dropping the Nike Dunk Low in "Hyper Cobalt," "Medium Grey (UNLV)" and "Coast" colorways. Here are the release details: 

• Date: February 18
• Price: $100
• Where to buy: SNKRS

From the Nike SB x Ben & Jerry's Dunk Low "Chunky Dunky" to the "Grateful Dead" Nike SB Dunk Low and the StrangeLove Skateboards x Nike SB Dunk Low, Nike knocked it out of the park with Dunk Low collaborations in 2020. It was the shoe line of the year, without question. 

This latest trio may not bring the heat quite the same way as those creations, but they're all excellent additions to the Dunk catalog as the classic sneaker continues its resurgence.

The iconic Air Jordan 6 "Carmine" will be rereleased in its original form for the first time since 1991.

This year represents the 30th anniversary of the shoe Michael Jordan debuted after his first title with the Chicago Bulls.

Here is what you need to know about the upcoming release:

• Release Date: February 13
• Price: $190
• Where to buy: SNKRS

There have been 39 versions of the Jordan VI, with 10 new ones coming out in 2014, per Andrew Golden of the Chicago Tribune. The latest release is different in that it is closest to the original with the "Nike Air" symbol on the back instead of the Jumpman.

Jordan wore the shoes throughout the first half of the 1991-92 season, and now fans can get the same version starting Saturday.

A pair of unworn Air Jordan 1 sneakers signed by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan has been listed on eBay with a $1 million asking price. 

Michael Le of Sneaker News reported the shoes are in "as pristine a condition as possible" and could outdo a pair of game-used Jordans that sold for $615,000 last year.

The official listing states the sneakers, which were made between February and April 1985, are just one of two verified pairs that are in dead-stock condition with a rookie signature from MJ, which was verified as authentic by PSA/DNA.

It also suggests the shoes may have been designed for Jordan himself since they both feature a "850204 TYPS" label—the PS standing for player sample—and are mismatched with one size 13 and one size 13.5. The claim is unconfirmed.

"There is an estimated 15-20 pairs of DS TYPS Jordan 1's in circulation...The crown Jewel," the listing states.

Interested bidders can also enter an offer if they don't want to meet the $1 million price tag.

With the explosion of interest in sports memorabilia over the past year, it's hard to imagine how much the shoes could fetch given the rarity and the desirability of MJ items.

The Hall of Famer won six championships with the Bulls during the 1990s and currently serves as governor of the Charlotte Hornets.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool is the latest athlete to ink an endorsement deal with the Jordan Brand, joining teammate Joe Haden among other players across the NFL and other professional leagues.

"There's a select few representing Jordan Brand in the league," he said. "When you look at the roster, those are the people killing it right now. So when you lace up those Jordans, you want to be at the same level as the other guys. It's a family environment, but you're also competing and trying to make each other better."

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, of whom Claypool said he was a fan, is also sponsored by the Jordan Brand, as are NBA stars Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic. As for other NFL players, Stephon Gilmore, Dwayne Haskins Jr., Cam Jordan and Dont'a Hightower also represent the brand. 

Claypool concluded his rookie regular season with 873 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 62 receptions and then posted 59 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers' playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.