Celtics G Isaiah Thomas for the first time has a "custom sneaker that is available to the public," as Foot Locker last week began selling Thomas' signature Nike HyperLive shoe, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the BOSTON GLOBE. The shoe is "part of the Player Edition series" that also includes Warriors F Draymond Green, Clippers C DeAndre Jordan, Pacers F Paul George and Kings C DeMarcus Cousins. Thomas previously endorsed Reebok, which "designed one custom shoe for him, but it was never sold in stores." He signed with Nike in September. Thomas said that the shoe is "mostly being sold at regional stores" in Boston and Thomas' hometown of Seattle right now. It is a "black low-top with Celtic-green laces and tongue." Thomas' initials are "printed on the insoles of both sneakers." One shoe "lists the Boston area code 617 along with Thomas's No. 4 jersey number," while the other shoe has the 206 area code for Seattle and the No. 2 for the jersey he wore at the Univ. of Washington (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/18).
FAMILY TIES: Thunder F Kevin Durant recently sat with Bloomberg TV and discussed his relationship with Nike and his new Nike KD 9 shoes. Durant said of staying with Nike, “They’re the family I’ve been with since I was 15 years old -- that played a factor -- and the technology as well.” Durant said he has a "comfortable feel with everybody in the company." Durant: "It was a great bond and I didn’t want to break that.” Durant is a free agent at the end of the season, and leaving Oklahoma City for a bigger market could increase his marketability. But he said, "I play basketball ... just to enjoy it. As a kid I didn’t think about marketability or where I can go or how many shoes I can sell. It was about playing the game for just pure fun and joy, and that’s what I want to continue to do. It’s all about basketball for me. All the stuff that comes with it is definitely cool, don’t get me wrong. But it all comes back to playing the game” ("Bloomberg Markets," Bloomberg TV, 3/17).
