It's Gotta be the Shoes

The Air Jordan XXII will likely be released sometime before Christmas. They’ll be a good-looking shoe, and I’m sure they’ll go great with a fitted cap and a fresh pair of blue jeans. But that cost -$170!- is just something I can’t get with. Never have. In all my years of watching Michael Jordan advertise his trademark kicks with Mars Blackmon, Bugs Bunny and even himself, I’ve never understood why the shoes had to cost so damn much. Though I’ve had my share of Jordans via Foot Locker hook-ups and Ebay deals, I’ve always held quiet resentment to MJ for not using his favorable positioning with Nike to work the prices down $50 or $60.

Some seasons back, Chris Webber made minor headlines by refusing to wear Nikes because he felt the high prices caused too much friction and stress on the inner-city streets. It was a bold and honorable move that I’ve long felt C-Dub deserved more props for making. Webber’s stand (and those of Shaq and, to some extent, Dwyane Wade) was taken a step further this week when New York Knick point guard Stephon Marbury decided to become the spokesperson for Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear and its $14.99 shoe, Starbury One. While it wasn’t made clear exactly where one could purchase this economical footwear, the hundreds of dollars saved on them certainly makes the hunt worthwhile. And it doesn’t hurt matters that the shoe (sort of a mix between And-1 and new Converse) isn’t terribly hard on the eyes. Nike and Reebok likely won’t follow suit with the bargain pricing, but at least working-class New Yorkers finally have something Knicks-related to be proud about. Good job, Steph.