History of Basketball In 15 Sneakers

Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson look at the only shoe on this list that was originally designed for a movie, the Nike Adapt BB. They look at how the concept of a self-lacing shoe originated in Back to the Future and the journey it took for Nike ideate back in 1985 to release in 2019. They explore why it took 34 years to create and the impact it has made on the sneaker industry.

Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson explore the penultimate shoe on their list, the Under Armour Curry One. Under Armour and Steph Curry shared a similar journey of Under Armour as they both started out overlooked and underrated but quickly redefined the game and left an indelible mark on sneaker culture.

Lang and Russ share their favorite stories about Kobe Bryant photoshoots they've worked with him as they look at his impact in the game of basketball and sneakers. Kobe initially rocked the three stripes with Adidas, but their paths diverged after a few years. Fast forward to the split, and Kobe's free agency was a basketball frenzy as companies tried snag him for their roster. He shook up the sne...

Dive into the sneaker game with Lang and Russ as they discuss the Nike Air Zoom Generation, aka the LeBron 1s. LeBron James scores his iconic logo with first dunk as an NBA player. LeBron was the undisputed phenom, not in his rookie NBA year, but as early as a sophomore in high school. The big three sneaker giants were in a frenzy, all trying to lock down the future of basketball, especially with...

Alright, kick back and let me spin you the tale of the AND1 Tai Chi – the shoes that became legendary thanks to the one and only Vince Carter! Picture this: Vince, on a mission to make a name for himself, steps onto the NBA dunk contest stage rocking the Tai Chi, all without a formal deal with AND1. Now that's some next-level swagger! But here's where it gets juicy – this bold move by Vince doesn'...

Lang and Russ are diving into the saga of the second legendary kicks in basketball history—the cool cousin of the Nike Air Jordan, the Jordan 11s! Picture this: Michael Jordan walking onto the court in these heat of a shoe, never see the shoe again until years later. That exactly what happened, MJ took a break from basketball to play baseball but continued to dropped more shoes during his time awa...

In this episode, Lang and Russ are about to unravel a groundbreaking chapter in sneaker history! Get ready to dive into the story of the first-ever shoe that proudly showcased a female athlete as its face. Brace yourselves as our hosts take you on a whirlwind journey through the creation of the WNBA, a league that was born from dreams, determination, and a whole lot of girl power. But that's not a...

Get ready for an electrifying episode as Lang and Russ tell the story of the creation of the Nike Air Force Max, a shoe tailor-made for the legendary Charles Barkley, the rising powerhouse of the NBA. Our hosts deep-dive into the thrilling tale of Barkley's journey, exploring how he became a force to be reckoned with, carving out his unique identity in the league. They also discuss the story behin...

Lang and Russ are unraveling the wild rollercoaster ride of the Reebok Pump. Now, we're talking serious bucks – this shoe hit the market with a bang, sporting a price tag that towered a whole $100 above its competitors. These kicks weren't just a heavy pricetag; they were bulky beasts on your feet. The guys delve into the fascinating journey of roping in players like Dominique Wilkins, who was dan...

Get ready to lace up your sneaker knowledge because Lang and Russ are taking us on a thrilling ride through the iconic world of Nike Air Jordans! These kicks aren't just shoes; they're practically legends in the world of basketball and beyond. The duo get deep into the intriguing tale of Michael Jordan, exploring the uncertainties he faced in the NBA spotlight. Despite proving himself as the leagu...

Imagine a sneaker that not only revolutionized the game for basketball players but also became a style statement in the world of hip-hop! That's the magic of Nike's AF1, a shoe that paved the way for countless others. Designed by Frank Rudy, who drew inspiration from hiking shoes, this footwear marvel quickly caught the eyes of athletes and trendsetters.

Lang and Russ dive into the time machine to chat about the adidas Top Ten sneaker, born in '79 but totally rocked the '80s! It was dubbed 'Top 10' with high hopes of it gracing the famous feet of the NBA's elite, but the top 10 players didn't sport these stylish kicks. Unfortunately, the players that signed weren’t necessarily the top 10 players playing basketball. Lang and Russ explore the sneake...

In this episode, Russ and Lang dive deep into the tale of Puma's quest to conquer the sports world. Puma ambitiously chased after every big-shot athlete on the scene, but most of these athletes played sports with cleats or spikes, making it a real head-scratcher for Puma to sell their shoe. Enter Clyde, the shoe that catapulted the Puma brand into the limelight despite the fact it was priced at do...

In this episode, Russ and Lang get into the story behind the Adidas Superstar, the sneaker that challenged the dominance of Chuck Taylors, offering people an option in footwear. They explore how Chris Laverne, a prominent designer, played a pivotal role in the creation of the Superstar, turning adversity into inspiration.

On this episode, Lang and Russ talk about the Chuck Taylor All-Star. Chuck Taylor wasn't the exceptional athlete one might expect, but rather, he was a salesman. Hear about some of the most iconic athletes to wear this shoe in their profession careers like, Mickey Johnson and Sugar Ray Leonard. They also explore the evolution of the Chuck Taylor shoe, transitioning from its origins as athletic foo...

In this new episode of the podcast "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers" from Grind City Media, hosts Lang Whitaker and Russ Bengtson introduce their latest venture. Russ, the author of "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers," joins Lang in Memphis, Tennessee, to discuss their shared passion for basketball and sneakers. The episode starts with the excitement of the book's release and...